Colony House Motor Lodge
Roanoke, Virginia
3560 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, Virginia 24014
Original Property Opened in 1959
Historic Hotels of America member since 2026
Visitors to Roanoke, Virginia will be drawn to the historic Colony House Motor Lodge by the same neon “VACANCY” sign that has welcomed travelers for generations. Completed in 1959 by Richard Trent and Horace Fralin, this beautifully preserved mid-century landmark embodies the spirit of the American road trip. A unique example of Googie architecture, also known as futuristic Midcentury Modern architecture in Southwest Virginia, the hotel was designed by the architecture firm Kinsey and Motley in 1959 and features folded plate roofs with geometric gable motifs that are emblematic of the style. Colony House Motor Lodge was recognized on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 2022 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. Today, guests can experience the hotel’s retro charm, updated accommodations, and access to the arts, history, and nature of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
Discover
- Discover the Googie style architecture, including its folded plate roofs with geometric gable motifs, hallmark features of the futuristic style influenced by the Space age, car culture, and Streamline Modern architecture. Popularized along America’s highways during the 1950s, Googie architecture relied on eye-catching designs to attract passing motorists.
- Discover the architectural elements from the era of roadside lodging. Mid-20th century roadside architecture was designed to catch the eye of passing motorists, and The Colony House Motor Lodge still displays the original roadside logo and neon “VACANCY” sign.
- Relax in Colony House Moter Lodge’s outdoor pool. The updated, mid-century design with breeze block enclosure is original to the grounds and provides a retro oasis for travelers.
Explore
- Hike the scenic trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Trails like McAfee Knob, Dragon's Tooth and Tinker Cliffs are all within a short drive of the hotel. McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed locations on the Appalachian Trail.
- Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway for breathtaking mountain vistas. For a panoramic view of the city and Blue Ridge Mountains, drive up Mill Mountain to relax by the Roanoke Star overlook.
- Explore Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, a 12,000-acre park in Roanoke. With over 60 miles of trails and a large reservoir, visitors can hike, cycle, mountain bike, and kayak within its forested landscape.
Experience
- Experience the local arts of Southwestern Virginia. Colony House Motor Lodge hosts an on-site gallery featuring local artists, while the nearby Taubman Museum of Art features rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.
- Visit the wonderfully preserved historic theaters in Roanoke. The Jefferson Center is a performing arts venue housed in a restored 1920s school, while the Grandin Theatre is an original 1931 movie house which has been preserved thanks to the efforts of people like the famous actor, Bill Murray.
- Visit the Virginia Museum of Transportation, home to the renowned Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam locomotive. The nearby O. Winston Link Museum is dedicated to the steam locomotive photography of O. Winston Link.
Taste
- Sample craft beer from nearby local breweries. Southwestern Virginia is home to award-winning breweries, lively brewpubs, and welcoming beer gardens where seasonal selections are served year-round.
- Taste southern favorites from local Virginia farms and bakers at the Historic Roanoke City Market, where vendors offer fresh-baked breads and pastries from On the Rise Bread Company, seasonal fruits and vegetables, local honey, and farm-fresh meats and eggs. The market is one of the oldest continuously operating open-air markets in the United States.
- Dine at Texas Tavern, a Roanoke institution since its founding in 1930. The longstanding favorite is famous for its “Cheesy Western” burger and bowl of chili.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.