The supply of roadside accommodations for motor travelers varies a great deal. Usually the price ratio is in direct proportion to the level of comfort, luxury and safety offered by the property. Represented here are two different price points available in the local Atlanta area.
The first example is new, modern, tastefully decorated, clean and safe.
Conversely, the second example is dull and after brief observation, lacked a minimal level of hospitality.
The Holiday Inn Express brand targets the upper-middle taste market. The landscape, parking and amenities are all designed to appeal to the traveler’s desire for lodging that expresses a sense of home. This Holiday Inn Express property is located within 15 minutes driving distance from the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International airport.
Situated on a cul de sac in a shopping center bordering a residential area, the building communicates warmth. A combination Federal Georgian style the four story building has a center pediment, hip roof and rusticated stones along the base is a large replica, of a popular American home design. Standard elements of glamour and elegance are represented with glass, chrome, mirrors and water throughout the lobby design. Beyond the lobby, the lounge area is spacious, clean, and has natural lighting from windows overlooking the lake front deck, located in the back of the building.
Nevertheless it is hotel, as evidenced by the large neon signage, facing the roadway.
NEW WORLD WATER:
A photograph of the rear elevation of the building, which was taken from across the lake, and captures an image of the ominous, Private Property sign.
In contrast, the Motor Lodge, although it has seen better days. This commercial vernacular style is the first time that an accommodation of the automobile is incorporated into the architectural design of the building. However, unlike the primarily male gendered hunting or fishing lodges, the Motor Lodge were designed to accommodate family road travel.
Motor Lodges were first built in the mid twentieth century, along the side of state routes, S.R., prior to the construction of the federal interstate highway system.
In many places around the country, the S.R. still exists as a vital artery in the network of bypass surface roads, that ease traffic volume on the overused interstate highway system.
While driving in Atlanta, on the any of the remaining S.R. number routes, an array of these lodging remnants from past, can be seen along the roadway. The example documented below is located on S.R.166, west of I-285, in the Ben Hill community, Fulton County.
The Deluxe Inn seems to face the street with a windowless brick wall--or is this just the photos? There must be better signage, no? How do think that this Holiday Inn attracts its guests?
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ReplyDeleteHa! Well the next time that I pass this section, I will look to see if the wall is continuous or a collection of bricked in windows. From what I recall that brick wall is the rear wall of the rooms that face the inner courtyard/parking lot. The HIE is probably listed on the Holiday Inn and random travel bundler websites.
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