Lodging

The image that Motel 6 has is of basic lodgings at a value price, and that is a fair assessment of what I received during my stay at the chain’s property located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Standard 2 Double Bed Motel 6 Room

The motel is actually, technically, in the city of Lake Delton, but Delton and the Dells are twin cities separated only by an invisible barrier. For all intents and purposes, most everything in this twin city area is considered The Dells.

But I digress. The motel is located where I-90/94 and Hwy 12 intersect and it is a three-story lodging with very basic rooms offering 1 king or 2 double beds, a TV with cable, an indoor pool and hot tub, free morning coffee in the lobby and that’s about it.

There’s no on-site restaurant or fitness center, no indoor waterpark like the Great Wolf Lodge and Kahlahari just up the road, and no free toiletries, other than a bar of no-name soap. The walls are also thin enough to hear a loud conversation next door and even with a non-smoking room, there is still lingering smoke smells as soon as you step into the hallway.

But for $50 or less, on average (AAA discounts available), you do get free WiFi, free parking, indoor hallways for security and a clean, comfortable place to sleep. Restaurants are less than a mile away, next to the Tanger Outlet Mall, and it’s about a five minute drive from both the main tourist strip of Dells attractions and Ho Chunk Casino. This is also a pet-friendly lodging and does have rooms to accommodate those with disabilities.

This is definitely a place to pick if you’re more concerned with price over amenities, but sometimes, all you need is a cheap place to crash.

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Motel 6 Lake Delton
I-90/I-94 at US 12, Exit #92
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-355-0700

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[Photo by Michelle Snow]

Related Posts:

• Comfort Inn in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Mayflower Motel in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
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From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn

The Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn has made a friend for life in my husband. Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, he’s now lived more years in California, yet you can’t take the Oregonian out of a Oregon boy. In fact, my Oregonian husband appears to be grooming our son to be a future Oregonian. The father and son team have bonded over golfing and watching the University of Oregon fighting Ducks play football.

At least three times a year my husband and son head to Eugene, Oregon for some boy time. The Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn appears to be the half way mark for the drive to Eugene or Sunriver Resort outside of Bend, Oregon.

Family-friendly, Pet-friendly

Our family has stayed at the Treehouse Motor Inn on numerous occasions with and without our dog*. The Inn has an indoor pool, is close to golf and offers stunning views of Mt. Shasta. The property is also budget-friendly. As a parent of two teenagers, I appreciate their child policy; children 17 and under stay free with one paying adult.

Best Western Treehouse Guest Room

The Best Western Treehouse has free wireless and wired Internet access throughout the 98 room, smoke-free motel. In the morning, a full hot breakfast buffet is complimentary.

*TIP: The Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn is pet friendly. There is a $15 per pet fee, per night.

TIP: There are two rooms for the physically challenged on this property.

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn 1 (530) 926-3101 or 1 (800) 780-7234

111 Morgan Way, Mount Shasta, CA 96067-2557

It’s going to be a while before the fantasy of booking a room in outer space or on the moon becomes a reality, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still geek out for the night here on Planet Earth.

Here are my picks for five of the coolest sci-fi themed lodgings where you can indulge in the fantasy of staying on another world or in space:

Hotel Sidi Driss in Tunisia

1] Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata, Tunisia

The name of the hotel may not ring a bell, but if you’ve ever watched Star Wars, you’ll recognize it as Luke Skywalker’s childhood home on Tatooine.

And if you ever happen to be trekking around the North African country of Tunisa and find yourself in the city of Matmata, you can stay at the Hotel Sidi Driss starting at only $10 a night (approximately). Breakfast of coffee and Tunisian bread is included in this price, too.

[6070 Matmata Ancienne, Tunisia; phone (05) 230005]

[photo: scottrobers/Flickr]

Capsule Inn Akihabara in Tokyo

2] Capsule Inn Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan

Fancy sleeping on a spaceship? The Capsule Inn Akihabara may be the closest you’ll get for now.

For 4000 Yen a night (approx. US$45), you basically get a private sleep pod with a TV, radio, and an alarm clock, with bathrooms being shared amongst the other pods occupying the same-sex segregated sleeping floors.

My first thought on seeing the photo of the pods was the ship scene from The Fifth Element. Unfortunately, having Leelo or Dallas Corbin as neighbors isn’t guaranteed.

[6-9 Akihabara Taito-ku Tokyo 110-0006 Japan; phone (81) 03-3251-0841]

[photo: Capsule Inn]

The Hobbit Motel in New Zealand

3] The Hobbit Motel in Woodlyn Park, New Zealand

Feel like you’re transported to The Shire in Lord of the Rings by spending the night in one of these two Hobbit habitat-themed rooms. Each unit sleeps six with two sets of bunks and a double bed in the separate living room area. Also included in each unit is a kitchenette and private shower/bathroom facilities.

Short men with big hairy feet not included in the nightly rate of NZ$195 (approx. US$) for double occupancy, with an extra NZ$15 for each extra person.

[1177 Waitomo Valley Road, RD7, Otorohanga, New Zealand; phone (64) 7-878-6666]

[photo: The Hobbit Motel]

Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida

4] Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida, USA

This is probably the only lodging that requires scuba gear to get to your room, and that’s because it’s totally underwater.

For $375 per person/per night, you get accommodations in the pod (named after Jules Verne), use of dive gear, unlimited dives and both dinner and breakfast. You can also earn PADI certification for an additional $150 per person. Other packages also available.

It’s not cheap, but if you’ve ever wanted to sleep under the sea, this is the only lodging currently available to do so.

[Key Largo Undersea Park, Key Largo, FL USA; phone 305-451-2353]

[photo: Jules' Undersea Lodge]

FantaSuite Hotel in Burnsville, Minnesota

5] FantaSuite Hotels in Burnsville, Minnesota and Dodgeville, Wisconsin, USA

Ok, so technically only one suite in each hotel has a sci-fi theme, and granted, they are pretty cheesy. But the Space Odyssey suite at the Burnsville location and the Tranquility Base suite at the Dodgeville location are both themed as the Gemini rocket’s landing on the moon, complete with a capsule-themed bed and lunar rock walls.

Rates start at $149/night (Burnsville) and $174/night (Dodgeville) for these fantasy suites.

[250 N River Ridge Circle, Burnsville, MN 55337 USA; phone 800-666-7829]
[3658 State Road 23 North, Dodgeville, WI 53533 USA; phone 800-666-7848]

[photo: FantaSuites Hotels]

Honorable Mention:

Full Moon Hotel in Baku

The Full Moon Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan – This hotel is still being built, but in artistic renderings, the exterior looks a lot like a certain space station made popular in the original Star Wars trilogy of films.

No word if your concierge will be a Dark Lord of the Sith, but if you’ve ever wanted to sleep onboard the Death Star, you can do so (sort of) when this hotel eventually opens.

[photo: Heerim Architecture]

Looking at the outside of the Paradise Motel is like being transported back to the 1950s, when the single story motel was king. Owner-owned and managed, this property is a clean, no-frills place to crash when in Wisconsin Dells.

Paradise Motel in Wisconsin Dells

The rooms are reasonably well-maintained, though the mattresses may seem old to those used to the lush pillowtops of most resorts. Rooms smell a bit musty and even a non-smoking room may smell slightly of smoke. Shower temperature varies depending on if others in neighboring rooms are bathing at the same time and if you do want to wash up, you’ll need to bring your own toiletries. You’ll also need to hike down to the office if you want any ice, but you’ll find the owner to be a friendly gentleman willing to help your stay be the best it can.

Paradise Motel is located in the heart of the tourist corridor, directly across the street from the behemoth Mt. Olympus Waterpark and Theme Park. As such, you may not care that the pool is small and only boasts a diving board and traditional plastic slide, or that said pool is completely packed in the heart of the summer heat.

They also offer charcoal grills and a picnic area for guests to use and have a playground with swing set for the kids. A variety of restaurants are within walking distance and each room comes with a mini-fridge and microwave. It should also be noted this motel is pet-friendly.

Rates for a standard room during the peak season summer months start at $99; the family suites at $159. These rates do include passes to Mt. Olympus for each person in your party, though, saving about $20-$30 per person. Expect to pay about half of that during the off-season, since the 49-room motel doesn’t have an indoor pool or any other fancy amenities.

Those who just want a basic place to sleep while vacationing on a budget in the Dells and don’t mind the older qualities of this property should consider this motel for their stay. Tbose used to more modern hotels might be more comfortable sleeping elsewhere.

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Paradise Motel and Suites
1700 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-254-7333

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[Photo courtesy of Paradise Motel]

Related Posts:

• Comfort Inn in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin
• Mayflower Motel in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Best Western New Oregon Motel

If you have a student attending the University of Oregon in Eugene, you’ve probably stayed at the Best Western New Oregon Motel. Situated directly across the street from the college campus, the Best Western is my pick for pet-friendly, clean, family-friendly lodging.

I’m dating myself to admit that I stayed at the Best Western New Oregon with my parents when I was a wannabe Duck. We did the college campus tour and I fell in love with the University of Oregon. Now, a gazillion years later, my husband and I returned to our alma mater with two teenage offspring in tow, both potential ducklings.

My husband selected the New Oregon Motel because he stays here every other year to watch the Ducks play football against the Cal Bears. There is nothing like watching a football game at Autzen Stadium. The New Oregon is within walking, jogging and biking distance to the beautiful Willamette River trails that lead to the stadium.

One of the beds in the family suite

This particular trip we had our dog along with us. Our entire family appreciated staying in room #328, one of eight family suites. The kids liked it because they each got a queen bed. I liked it because I could retreat to my own bedroom and close the door to the kid’s room. My husband liked it because he could play raquet ball with our son and the dog liked it because she could watch the ducks swim by from our second story balcony.

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. If you happen to be in Eugene on a weekend, make sure to check out the Saturday Market.

The Best Western New Oregon offers AAA discounts. Coffe and tea are availble in the lobby and a so-so continental breakfast is offered complimentary from 6:30-9:30 a.m. across from the lobby. There is a computer and printer available to guests in the lobby, as well as high speed internet access available at no additional charge in all rooms.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Best Western New Oregon 1 (541) 683-3669

1655 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon 97403

Wisconsin Dells, or “The Dells,” as the locals call it, has been a family vacation destination for decades, Appropriately, many of the lodging options you’ll find along the main strip of Hwy 12, where the major attractions are based, are family-run businesses, not major chains.  These can offer great deals to the budget traveler.

Mayflower Motel Double Bed Room

One of the best family-run motels in The Dells is the Mayflower Motel and Suites. It is an older motel, but the family that runs it has done a good job of upkeep and occasional renovations to keep the property fresh (though there is some wear and tear here and there).

Accommodations here range from a standard two double bed room to a three queen bed jacuzzi suite with a loft (great for groups or large families). Each room comes with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker and cable TV with the Starz! movie channel. The suites also include wet bars, sofa sleepers and in-room jacuzzi tubs. Some even have private balconies.

Amenities at the Mayflower include a large indoor pool with hot tub and sauna, as well as two outdoor pools with kids pools, a children’s playground area, an arcade and a sheltered picnic/grill area.

There isn’t an on-site restaurant, but within a two-to-three block are several restaurant options from a pizza joint to ethnic food like Japanese and Jamaican. During my stay I ate at Houlihan’s (an upscale sports bar) and the elegant House of Embers across the street (very cool place if you want to have a romantic fine dining experience). Fast food options and a WalMart Supercenter (featuring a grocery secton) are mere minutes away by car.

The Mayflower is also within walking distance from major Dells attractions such as Noah’s Ark waterpark and Mt. Olympus.

Rates for 2009 start as low as $58 for the two double bed rooms during the off-season when I stayed (which is pretty much all year except Memorial Day through Labor Day). Be sure to check the motel’s website for coupons. I was able to book my three-night stay with 50% off the third night using them.

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Mayflower Motel & Suites
910 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-8316
608-253-6471

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Never before have I stalked anyone while drinking a pina colada. But there I was at Lorelei Cabana Bar and Restaurant in Islamorada, Florida, getting annoying close to a retired couple as they watched the sun set. Why? Because they were rocking in prime real estate: one of the gliders — with a table — that sat six. And the check was already paid, with the tip tucked under the salt shaker.

Lorelei Cabana Bar and Restaurant

Patience was rewarded. The couple left 20 minutes before the sky’s finale, leaving us to watch the sky fill with pinks and reds, and rock in the beachside glider as we debated how we wanted to eat our fish that night: over mixed greens or nestled inside a bun?

We were staying just across the street at the Islander Resort, a fixture of a motel at mile marker 82.1 along US 1. Whether you’re en route to Key West as we were during our road trip, or in search of a chill place for the family vacation, consider the Islander. It’s on the beach and the rooms have screened-in porches. Barbecue grills around the property make it easy and fun to feed the family and stay under budget.

The pool at the Islander Resort

As far as fun activities, the Islander offers bicycles, sailboats, kayaks, water trikes and snorkel gear. Choose to swim in the Atlantic Ocean or the resort’s pool. The Islander is also a great spot for weddings, or for hosting the wedding party should you want a Florida Keys wedding.

No matter what the reason is that brings you to Islamorada, just don’t be surprised if you get a little eager as dusk falls. The scenery is a big draw to the Florida Keys and everyone wants the best seats for the big show.

To find out more, call 305-664-2031.

Photos by Brooke Morton and courtesy of the Islander Resort.

Garberville is two hundred miles up the coast from San Francisco along Highway 101, also known as the Redwood Highway. It’s also where the 21st Century meets the 1960s.

Along the way you’ll pass by businesses selling Tye-dye shirts reminiscent of years gone by. This is also the hub during Reggae Rising, a three-day music fest that used to be known as Reggae on the River, bringing musicians from around the world, and memories of love-ins and LSD.

Reggae brings old and young hippies alike to the Eel River

Walk down the street of Garberville on any given day and you’ll find hippies having a cup of jo next to loggers and Cal Trans workers who are as straight as a yardstick. Rarely will you find a more diverse culture within a tiny town of just over 2,000 people.

Nice accommodations in Humboldt

On the north end of town Best Western has the nicest accommodations at the Humboldt House Inn. The proximity to Eureka, California, a town known for its summertime fog just 65 miles away, the Humboldt House Inn is a favorite weekend escape where families from Eureka can take their children to have some pool time in the warm summer sun.

Many children from Humboldt County have learned to swim here.

Whether you’re just passing through, or have time for a stay near the Redwoods, the Humboldt House Inn offers nice rooms, complimentary breakfasts, and a pool to escape the hot sun. Enjoy the colorful town of Garberville and get a taste of southern Humboldt.

Best Western Humboldt House Inn
701 Redwood Drive
Garberville, CA 95542
707-923-2771

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

San Jose HP Pavillion Super 8 Motel

So you’ve spent all your money on concert tickets, but you still need a place to crash when the music stops. Where to stay in San Jose, less than a mile from the HP Pavillion? My husband and teenage son recently stayed at the Super 8 Motel by the San Jose Airport and Convention Center. Yes, it was a father/son bonding trip to rock out with the Boss, otherwise known as Bruce Springsteen.

Two Queen Beds

They didn’t take advantage of the heated outdoor pool, or the free high speed internet, but they said their room, with two queen beds, was clean and cheap. Using their AAA discount, the room rented for $75.05 on a Wednesday night. They didn’t have any praise for the complimentary continental breakfast offered the next morning.

“There was a weak assortment of small, stale cinnamon rolls,” noted Cory Brown.

They did end the stay on a high note. The boys decided to keep the fun factor going and headed to Malibu Grand Prix in Redwood City for slot car racing. And the fun continues…..

Super 8 San Jose Airport/Convention Center Area 1 (408) 293-9361

1860 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126

An odd couple greets guests at Trees of Mystery

The Redwood Highway continues past Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad, going past towns that get smaller and smaller. The places also become a bit funky. To some that’s appealing. Others might want to make Trees of Mystery just a rest stop rather than a destination.

Reviews of the Motel Trees near Trees of Mystery range from “cheesy” and “retro kitsch” to “affordable” and “a fun find.” The location is perfect if your destination is Trees of Mystery, but there’s not much to do there, and extremely limited options for eating.

Go up into the canopy on the Sky Trail

Trees of Mystery, in the center of Redwood National and State Parks, is an educational, cultural experience if you can get past the 49 foot statue of Paul Bunyan and his 35 foot blue ox, Babe. Actually Paul Bunyan is quite entertaining as he talks to you, from heaven knows where. I sat on a stump enjoying my ice cream as “Paul” talked to me about the flavor. I could not find where the voice came from, but it was entertaining.

The End of the Trail Museum inside is worth seeing. It’s full of Native American artifacts and history, and is one of the largest privately owned world-class musuems. Marylee Thompson has spent over 40 years assembling the artifacts and the museum is constantly being updated and improved.

You can see the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

The Sky Trail is a relatively new addition with a gondola that transports people up through the canopy to the top of the hill. From there, in the middle of the redwood forest, you can see the white caps on the wind-swept Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy the interpretive trail

A well-groomed interpretive trail winds around the gigantic redwood trees. Some of them are so unusual that they have their own names. The Cathedral tree and the Candlabra tree are impressive examples of the redwood’s unique ability to survive.

Even if you don’t want to take a tour, do stop to see the free museum, get an ice cream, and have a chat with “Paul.”

Trees of Mystery
15500 Highway 101 N.
Klamath, CA 95548
800-638-3389