Mark Twain Hotel
Elmira, NY
1950's?
It's Monday, so it's time for a post about another depressing hotel room. Look at these institutional green walls -- who thought they would be a good idea? And these cheap-looking blue bedspreads add all the cheerful atmosphere of a retirement home. That little sad-looking vase of white flowers on one of the night stands doesn't help, either.
Aside: I wonder if that black Bakelite phone on the other night stand would fetch a nice price on eBay?
Little America
Flagstaff, AZ
1970's?
This small chain of motels, Little America, seems to be rather fond of harvest gold (see a previous Little America postcard and another.) I mean, look at these harvest gold bedspreads, harvest gold carpet, harvest gold drapes and...well, you get the idea. Heck, there are even matching luggage racks upholstered in harvest gold (none of these tacky folding luggage racks for you). And...oh, my God, look at that wallpaper -- not only is it harvest gold, it's shiny, too! And see how the furnishings and chandelier are done in what I dub "1970's Gothic."
Captain Thompson's Motor Lodge
Alexandria Bay, New York
1970's
What makes this room Seventies-que? Let us see.
Fake wood panelling on walls? Check.
Harvest gold bedspreads? Check.
Drop ceiling? Check.
Old-school ceiling light, the kind that has a frosted glass plate suspended from the ceiling? Check.
Ugly curtains? Check.
Dentist's waiting room artwork on the wall? Check.
Outdated clothing and hairstyles? Check.
Notice how the couple are gazing out the window, as if they're trying to avert their gazes away from their shipwreck of a room?
Skylark Motel
Springfield, VA
1950's
Here is the postcard that inspired this blog, Ugly Motel Rooms. To be fair, the room isn't all that ugly -- in fact, I think it's groovy with all these Scandinavian modern furniture and fixtures. (And look at that cute little old-timey phone in the corner between the sofas.) But when I once showed this postcard to someone, she thought it was ugly. I've been collecting (and selling) vintage postcards for many years, and I've run into my share of many postcards showing motel/hotel rooms that are hilariously outdated by today's standards. So, I've decided to share these postcards on the blog, and trust me, I have way more th post in the future. So, brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen.
Marunouchi Hotel
Tokyo, Japan
1970's?
For unknown reasons, the red decor craze swept American hotels and motels in 1960's and 1970's. It looks like other countries might not be immune to this craze, as you can see from this postcard of a hotel in Tokyo. Observe the red-black checkered carpet and international orange bedspreads.
Everyone in in the postcard appears to be Caucasian, so you wouldn't have known this is a Japanese hotel, just looking at the postcard. Also, see how the woman's red plaid suit matches the red plaid suitcase -- now that's really matchy-matchy. Curiously, both suitcases are all closed up and standing in the path, like they're planning to make a getaway while the couple dines. And what's with these round big tags on the bags, anyway? Is someone tracking runaway suitcases?
Kenlake State Resort Park
Hardin, KY
1970's?
My friends, it's time for another ugly bedspread posting, so gaze upon the sheer ugliness of this room. Enlarge the photo if you must, to appreciate just how ugly it is. And let us not speak of the matching drapes....
