This Retro Motor Lodge In Kentucky Is The Most Delightfully Nostalgic Place You'll Ever Stay
By Sarah McCosham|Published January 17, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Looking for a fun throwback in Bluegrass Bourbon Country? There’s a “new” retro motor lodge in Bardstown that offers guests a delightfully nostalgic getaway in Kentucky. Bardstown Motor Lodge is a boutique hotel that promises to stoke your curiosity while also evoking nostalgic memories of summer camps and road trips with friends and family. If you’re looking for a big, old dose old-fashioned fun, you’ll be delighted to discover this retro motor lodge in Kentucky.
Bardstown Motor Lodge is a storied stop in Kentucky that's long been a favorite place for those exploring the Bourbon Trail. Its story begins in 1937, when the Kurtzes built a two-story house on a plot of land in Bardstown, designating the upper level as the family home and the lower level as the Kurtz Restaurant.
The restaurant was a huge success and quickly became a community cornerstone and popular spot for travelers. In 1959, as automobile travel continued to grow and tourism became more feasible, the Kurtz family opened the one-story Bardstown Parkview Motel on an adjoining lot to meet the demand for more lodging options in the area.
After 84 successful years, the Kurtz Restaurant and the Bardstown Parkview Motel officially closed in December 2021, but its story didn't end there. The historic property was purchased by local realtors who jumped at the chance to renovate this mid-century treasure.
The newly opened Bardstown Motor Lodge is a delightfully nostalgic nod to a romantic time of road trips and automobile travel that remains true to the spirit of community and warmth established by the Kurtzes so long ago.
The 35-unit boutique hotel is the perfect blend of old and new, with a delightful outdoor pool and lots of spaces for gathering and hanging out. The rooms are simple yet comfortable, with amenities like king beds and plush linens; and, in typical motor lodge style, they open out to the courtyard/pool area.
This hotel's legacy is as much about food as it is about accommodations, and you'll find a robust menu at Toogie’s Table, a chef-led, farm-to-table restaurant in the former Kurtz Restaurant.
Named after Marilyn “Toogie” Dick, who inheriting Kurtz Restaurant and the Parkview Motel from her family, Toogie endeavored to honor her family’s tradition and innovate to encourage tourism and support the local economy with the restaurant's revival.
Known for their skillet-fried chicken, Toogie's Table features elevated Southern fare as well as good, old-fashioned American classics. The Tavern Burger & Wedges is a major crowd pleaser!
Of course, with its location in the heart of Bourbon Country, Toogie's also has a stellar cocktail menu sure to please the most discerning bourbon epicures, and perfect for a nightcap before tucking in for the night.
With new leadership and vision under Common Bond Hotel Collection, Bardstown Motor Lodge and Toogie's Table represent what Kentucky is all about: honoring our past, celebrating the present, and forging fearlessly into the future.
Who’s up for a fun getaway in Kentucky? Bardstown Motor Lodge is a fun change of pace that’s sure to become a new favorite.
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