When we heard that there was a “retro-vated” vintage 1950′s motel on our route from Atlanta to Asheville NC that’s all it took for us to get off the beaten path and check out The Sunset Motel in Brevard, NC. You know how picky Mod Betty is about recommending vintage lodgings, right? Well rest assured, this neat little motel is definitely worth the detour, and not just for the awesome neon signs out front!
Since Retro Roadhusband and I would not have time to stay at the motel to give it a proper check, we actually called ahead to owner Lori Roberts and “outed” ourselves to let her know we’d like to come and check out the place. She was cheery and enthusiastic, and just as fun and funny when we met her in the office of the motel. Perhaps she was extra giddy because of the fab vintage dinette set that her able assistant Katie had scored for them at a local garage sale. Heck, those chairs are enough to get my pulse a quickenin!
While Lori showed us around the place she explained that when she first saw the 1950s era motel it was, like most of its ilk, run down and filled with dubious characters. But she could not resist the charm of what remained of the fun vintage style – the neon sign, the decorative concrete walls with holes like swiss cheese, and its convenient location within walking distance of downtown Brevard, NC. (We had not gone through town before visiting the motel, but once we did, we were smitten with the entire place as well – it’s TOTALLY Retro Roadmap worthy, and there will be a whole ‘nother post about the town, stay tuned!) If that wasn’t enough the county (Transylvania, isn’t that a hoot?) was named one of the top mountain biking destinations in the country in 2012. So we can see why Lori could not help but buy the place, rid it of its tawdry tenants, and begin to restore it to its original vintage style – with a little sass and humor thrown in for good measure.
Mod B was already nodding in appreciation of the the pairs of vintage chairs outside each room (every vintage motel should have ‘em) as we walked across the small parking courtyard to check out one of the redone rooms, and were pleased with what we saw. There’s nothing that a fresh coat of cheery colored paint and some modern yet mod inspired decorative touches can’t brighten up! While Lori and her staff want to preserve as many of the original fixtures and details as they can, each of the dozen or so rooms has been (or is in the process of being) improved with new furniture, bedding, and even flat screen TVs and wifi. Ah, vintage charm and modern amenities, the best combo IMHO.
As we walked behind to the back of the motel where Lori showed the cabin you can rent for larger groups, Mod Betty was already scheming how soon we could actually get back to this area and have a stay at this fun motel…as it’s perfect place for a Retro Roadmap weekend! I’ll be plotting how to get Retro Roadhusband a gig in the area as an “excuse” for another southern roadtrip, and we’ll keep you posted!
The Sunset Motel
523 South Broad Street
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-9106
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Holy Frijole! What a fantastic place!! The Sunset is most definitely added to my to-do list. Wow!
Wait ’til you see the rest of the town (hint – drive-in restaurant, soda fountain, ROADSIDEY art gallery, vintage cinema, AND classic bowling alley being restored to its former fifties glory. We’re gonna plan a weekend there for sure!
cool motel-checkthis review and visit in the future (or past if you did it)
later
gordon
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/new-york/catskills/52130/kates-lazy-meadow-motel/hotel-detail.html
Ooh Gordon, thanks for the link! Kate’s is on my big bucket list but I’ll confide – the price is a bit too out of reach for us at the moment – but I’m sure it’s worth every penny. Tho now you’ve got me thinking…I DO have a birthday coming up (happens to me every year-!) perhaps that would be an excuse to head up there!
As a Brevard resident, two-lane traveler, and retro motel fan I heartily concur. Come see us soon and definitely make plans to stay at the Sunset!
Mike! Good to know – I’m already plotting our course back there, just trying to wrangle a music gig for Retro Roadhusband, to lend my gallivanting some legitimacy – and of COURSE we’ll be thrilled to hold court at the Sunset when we’re in town. Glad to know there will be some friendly folks to hang with once we get there!
Hi Mod Betty –
So glad you discovered one of my favorite places on the planet. Next time, be sure to check out O.P. Taylors (coolest toy store on the planet), the Cardinal Drive-In (replete with curb service), Rocky’s Soda Shop and the area’s 250 vintage waterfalls (each guaranteed to be at least several million years old). This site has all the skinny: visitwaterfalls.com
Brad- You’re spot on! We did get to check out Rocky’s and drove past the Cardinal, and there was enough Retro Roadmap worthy goodness for me to already be prepping a “Brevard is Retro Roadmap worthy” post to include the things we saw that made us want to come back to your fine neck of the woods. While several million years might be a bit antique for this Mod B, we definitely are planning on checking out all that is wild and wonderful back there soon! Glad to know we’re on the right track.
Oh wow! That is amazing. Plus BONUS it’s between us here in St. Louis and Myrtle Beach SC (one of our favorite VaCa spots). Stop there on our way out and at the Pink Motel on our way back!
Oooh Mr. Modtomic – what a great idea! If you do stay there please let Lori know that Mod Betty sent you!
I saw this place on my way to Asheville to. I hope you stop at the Mountaineer Inn in Asheville. One of the best neon signs EVAH!
oooh, Rick – we made an all too short stop in Asheville and did not even know about the Mountaineer Inn – squee! Adding it to my list of reasons to head back “thataway”!
there was a fire at the Mountaineer Inn last month, but I’m pretty sure it is open. I’d check out the rooms before staying there as they get interesting reviews .
When I was a kid, this motel was on the road leading out of Asheville. My family would occasionally eat at the long-gone-and-sorely-missed Buck’s Drive In and we would beg Daddy to drive down Tunnel Road so we could see the sign. It’s still there as it was in the 60s, but today it just makes me cringe.
Lizzie – thanks for the heads up on the Mountaineer – if I know Rick he’s probably a fan of the sign and not necessarily of the place for a lodging option! We all know that more often than not these old places don’t always age well, and that’s why it’s so neat to see the Sunset become a once again safe place for travelers to stay!
My aunt & uncle have said several times that we should all head down to the Biltmore in Asheville—this would be the PERFECT place for all of us to stay while there! They love vintage & retro things, too. Will definitely be keeping this one in mind. Thanks, Betty!
What a great idea! It’s a neat little town on it’s own, I’ll be posting about it soon, so you’ll need to make time for that too. Sounds like a fun trip to look forward to!
Oh, sounds perfect! All four of us love wandering little towns like that, love love. *excited*
hooray! I’m excited to get us back there as well- we didn’t have time to properly explore the town but I bet there are even more gems that we don’t know about. Let us know if you go there and what you uncover!
From the owner of The Sunset Motel:
Wow! Thank you all for the support of both the motel and our great town. I just found out that Brevard Music Center (a premier teaching and festival center that operates in the summer only and has hosted the likes of Yo-Yo Ma) is putting on “The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show” on June 22. I am meeting with them next week to begin planning to make this a town-wide event for all you retro-buffs. We hope to see some of you!
Lori – thanks for the heads up on the Doo Wop event – sounds like it could just be the excuse to get a Retro Roadmap weekend together that weekend! Will keep you posted on it, and please keep us informed on the progress.
My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post.
But the last thing I want to see happen is that it stops the conversation on this topic, especially if you have something you want to add!
So if you want to comment on this post all you have to do is email me at modbetty AT retroroadmap DOT com and let me know what you want to say and what post it goes with. I’ll make sure your info gets matched up and added to the conversation!
Thanks for understanding!
Your hostess, Mod Betty