by Shawn Nowlin
Several decades ago, in 1959, the Colony House Motor Lodge at 3560 Franklin Road officially opened after Richard Trent and Horace Fralin completed their work. Today, after sitting vacant for years prior to undergoing massive renovations, the modernized effort has brought new life to the beloved hotel.
Recently, the company wrote the following on its Facebook page: “A huge thank you to our amazing Roanoke community for helping us celebrate the Grand Opening of Colony House Motor Lodge. Your energy, smiles and support made our retro revival Ribbon Cutting truly unforgettable. Special thanks to the Roanoke Regional Chamber and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge for being part of our celebration and for all you do to keep our region thriving. Here’s to many more memories, road trips, and good times ahead at the Colony House Motor Lodge.”
“We’re easing into the operations. We have a lot of big plans for how to activate the property, like bringing the bar to the pool,” Colony House Motor Lodge Co-Owner Mike Farrell said in a press release. “So, we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to see the property really come back to life in the way we want it to shine.”
Bringing the decades-old facility into the 21st Century while maintaining its retro style was no easy task, but the job got done. The massive infrastructure overhaul did not happen in a vacuum; rather a strategic, collaborative approach among different parties.
When Nicole Harris, a Roanoke native, heard that the Colony House Motor Lodge was getting an update, she was ecstatic. “I grew up just off Franklin Road, so I saw the building practically every day,” she said. “The first time that I went inside with my family, it had a vintage feel and we had a great experience. I’m glad that the city invested in restoring it. This place means a lot to a lot of people.”
NFL legend Johnny Unitas and British pop icon Herman’s Hermits are just some of the notable celebrities who have stayed at the hotel over the years. While locals often call it “the guest room of South Roanoke,” travelers have called it a hidden gem.
By entering a new chapter, the leadership brass of the Colony House Motor Lodge expects the updated amenities to attract a more diverse group of guests. Already added to the National Registry of Historic Places, plans are currently being discussed to host various special events, starting in the spring.
For the most up-to-date information, visit colonyhousemotorlodge.com.
