The Rise of the Renovated Motel in Ontario

Run down roadside properties are a thing of the past thanks to the resurgence of restoring old motels and making them cool again

By Andrea Yu

Posted: November 12, 2021 06:15 PM ET

Old motels are getting a new lease on life as renovating rundown properties continues to trend across Ontario. Check in at these five revamped motels for a fun getaway.

Somewhere Inn, Calabogie

An off-white room with white panelled-walls. There is a large bed made with white bedding and four pills. Behind it there is a white bathtub with a window above it.

One of the newest establishments in the province is the Somewhere Inn, located an hour east of Ottawa in Calabogie. This 1970s roadside motel, which was previously used by anglers and hunters, was renovated in the spring and summer of 2021 and transformed into a cozy, cabin-inspired property. Each of its 11 rooms is equipped with a fireplace and natural wood furniture.

The June Motel, Sauble Beach and Prince Edward County

Two women wearing white shirts and jeans toasting with glasses of red wine standing on a stone deck. Behind them is a building covered with windows.

April Brown and Sarah Sklash are Netflix’s latest reality TV stars, featured in a six-part series named Motel Makeover. These best friends are the co-owners of Picton’s 16-room June Motel, which opened in 2017, and a 24-room motel in Sauble Beach which opened in September 2020. Expect chic details like tropical print wallpaper and wicker furniture.

Penny’s Motel, Thornbury

Two beds with teak headboards are side by side. Each bed is made up with white bedding and a decorative throw with a pineapple print on it. There is a tropical-themed wallpaper on the wall behind the beds.

John Belknap used to stay at the original Penny's Motel during high school ski trips to Blue Mountain in the early 1990s. In 2020, he purchased the motel, which was built in 1974, and revamped each of its 13 units. The former owner’s house now serves as the motel’s bar and restaurant. A bocce court, cornhole and a firepit in the courtyard help keep guests entertained.

The Lakeside Motel, Prince Edward County

A pool is in the centre surrounded by white deck chairs and umbrellas on the perimeter. There is a large tree to the right of the pool.

Toronto restaurateur Renda Abdo transformed a 1960s fishermen’s motel into a Scandinavian-chic property with 11 motel bedrooms and two houses that sleep six people. The Lakeside Motel’s in-ground swimming pool and expansive outdoor patio both feature sweeping views of Lake Ontario. Cozy up to s'mores by the firepit as the weather cools.

Drake Motor Inn, Prince Edward County

A grey upholstered couch is positioned between a window and a bed. There is a small side table in front of the couch with an open bottle of wine and two glasses with wine in it. There are colourful picture frames on the wall with abstract pieces of art in them.

This 12-room spot carries the same hip, stylish vibe of its sister property in Toronto. The Drake Motor Inn’s design is inspired by mid-century motels and features bright murals on its facades and kitschy decor in its rooms and lobbies. There’s even a vending machine that sells souvenirs, essentials like sunglasses and socks, along with snacks and candy.

Help at Your Fingertips

Download the CAA Mobile App™ to access roadside assistance on your trip. You can also find Member-exclusive offers and deals from CAA Rewards partners along the way.

Image credit: The Lakeside Motel, Somehwere Inn, The June Motel, Jenna Kitchings, Graydon Herriott