Retro Inn

Since we are full time travelers, we are very budget conscious about our overnight accommodations. That doesn’t  preclude us from staying in interesting places. Case in point….Retro Inn at Mesa Verde in Cortez, Colorado.

An orange and green neon sign similar to the signs seen on The Jetsons alerts you to the nostalgic theme of this 39 room motel. Built in 1953, this motel was remodeled a few years ago as a throwback to the 50’s and 60’s. Recently older eras are being added.

Near the front office you’ll find a phone booth with an authentic working pay phone. I would have called a friend but phone numbers are entered in my phone and not my head. A small old fashioned camper sits at the entrance. Upon entering the camper, I expected to find June Cleaver wearing pearls and heels, making meatloaf, and baking cookies among the turquoise and chrome appliances. Elvis, well, a statue of him, relaxes on a nearby bench with his arm swung casually over the backrest. We sat together and watched the world go by for a while.

The breakfast room of the hotel reminded me of Arnold’s Restaurant, the diner in Happy Days. The tabletops are speckled formica with chrome legs and edges. The chairs are are covered with stick-to-your-legs vinyl. Of course, the floors are a black and white checkered linoleum. On display are an old-time radio, tin canisters, orange and green Tupperware salt and pepper shakers, and a metal Coca-Cola napkin dispenser. The breakfast was passable, the decor, the bee’s knees.

Each room is or will be designed to pay homage to a celebrity or time period. Our room was dedicated to Jerry Lee Lewis. It was not renovated yet, only contained a picture or two of him but was very comfortable. I was assured the re-do would be more substantial. However, I was lucky to be given a tour of a couple of the renovated rooms by Sarah, who serves as designer and front desk attendant.

Rooms are named either by a theme or the year that inspired the decor. Room 1967 was decorated with pictures from TV shows from that year.  A vintage-style console TV set with wood paneling and built-in speakers is the focal point of the room. There are photographs and posters from The Man From Uncle, Andy Griffith, The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Bonanza, all shows that hit home for me. The room feels like a stylish TV time capsule.

Entering the next room, The Great Gatsby Suite, was like stepping into the pizzazz of the Roaring 20’s. Geometric Art Deco wallpaper with waves of  light blue and gold thread running through it. A mustard colored luxurious velvet chaise lounge set in the middle of the living room. By its side, a simple but polished end table. An ornate, brass vintage phone. A glass fireplace screen etched with arched patterns in gold and silver. Combined, they create a striking effect. 

My favorite is The Woodstock Suite. My jaw dropped as soon as I made my way in. The living room ceiling is draped, like garland, with different materials of tie-dye patterns and paisley prints in an array of rich, vibrant colors. A low sofa is covered with the same material and accented with coordinating pillows. The deep-purple bedroom walls are decorated with macrame and psychedelic artwork. Closet doors are replaced with drapes of the same rich material. A colorful beaded chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A yellow rotary phone, a record player, and a light blue Frigidaire add to the groovy look. As a child of the 60’s, I was all in! 

I realize motels are not everyone’s first choice. We, however, love them. Unlike on Schitt’s Creek, they are usually clean and well-maintained. They are safe and don’t break the bank. The convenience of a parking space right in front of our room is a bonus since we travel with luggage, bags, and a “pantry.” Not only that, but motels are typically privately owned and operated offering a personal level of service and, often, a quirky and creative ambiance. Retro Inn clicked all these boxes.