Motel 6 Makeover
It's been said more than once since the recession began that a down economy breeds creativity, born from heightened resourcefulness. On an individual level, this often means more DIY projects and self-directed home improvement. At a corporate level, as people turn to budget options for entertainment and travel, companies that provide low-cost services are finding creative ways to transform the "budget" experience.
One of the latest companies to jump aboard the creative revamp bandwagon is the notoriously cheap Motel 6 chain. The pillar of downmarket roadside accommodations, Motel 6 is reskinning their shabby (and not chic) interiors to give them a touch of modern minimalism and an air of modest luxury.
To achieve their massive makeover, Motel 6 tapped the British design firm Priestmangoode, whose portfolio includes the much-lauded cabin design for Virgin Atlantic. Priestmangoode approached the compact rooms with an emphasis on creating clever storage solutions and a sense of openness. They achieved this with stash space under the platform beds and an integrated entertainment, lighting and closet unit. Old carpet went out the door and [faux] wood came in. Those old dingy lamps were replaced by ambient lighting.
It's no Ritz Carlton but for a room in the range of $50 per night, it looks like a far more comfortable, enjoyable place to lay your head than the Motel 6 of decades past. Unfortunately their website doesn't reflect their new design sensibility. As a portal to entice people to choose them over other low-cost lodging, it would be nice to see an equally streamlined online experience. Likewise their exteriors remain largely unchanged, which leaves much depending on the old marquees, where perhaps the old "Hot Tub and Free HBO" declaration will be replaced with "Jacobsen-esque Butterfly Chairs and Vessel Sinks."
via Businessweek
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Another one good thing that comes out from current down economy!! But I think we are ready to get out of this...
Wow what an improvement! I would definitely enjoy staying in that room, and I might look to book a Motel 6 room in the future if I'm on a tight budget, which I likely will be as a recent college grad.
This is great news! We all need to know there will be something clean and sleek and stylish awaiting our arrival on the road.
Now just guarantee cleanliness and you've got a winner! Love the retro mod.
I bet my favorite one along the Grapevine won't be $29.99 a night any more...
Obviously Sarah needs to better her choice of accommodations or at least a get an editor to proofread the article before she posts. "It's no Ritz Carleton . . ." No honey, it is Ritz Carlton.
I just love smart people. Take a brand with really good name recognition, remake the product and voila! This is going to be a trend in the future. Examples of ripe opportunity: Dollar Stores (turn them into mini-targets), 7-11 (turn them into bi-rite), Yellow Cab (yellow Prius only, call it "Green Cab", Morton's Frozen Dinners (do a healthy organic slow food thing)... and on and on. Brilliant.
Let's not forget the hygienic aspect of (faux) wood flooring too. Hotel room carpeting (even the Ritz-Carlton) is nasty.
The flooring in the main area is Tarkett Laminate and in the bathroom matching Tarkett Fiberfloor - SEAGRASS pattern. Lise LeBreton, Creative Director, Tarkett Inc.
Brandon, it's not particularly useful to point out other people's (fairly inconsequential) mistakes the way you did. Were you looking to correct an egregious error or were you happier to make a snarky comment? I'd much rather read what people think of this new rebranding and not read cheap shots at the poster.
YEEHAW! Modern design for the masses, yawl. That's dope as hell. Go Motel 6!!!
What a motel room without a SOLAIR chair ? what's that ! ;-)
Woww! I love anything in that room.
The motel has a very modern look just like the rest of the hotel.
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