'MOTORCYCLE FRIENDLY' MOTELS/HOTELS/B&B's

GrandpaGreg · Mar 10, 2011

I tried using the 'Search' function to find information on the subject but didn't have any luck.

Can anyone provide information and/or links to websites regarding motorcycle friendly motels/hotels/B&B's in Canada and the USA?

Thanks,

Greg Jones
Cambridge, Ontario
CANADA

31261 · Mar 10, 2011

I think they are all pretty motorcycle friendly. Sometimes even without asking they will tell you that you can park right in front of the motel by the entrance. If you ask they alway say yes.

One tip, carry a laptop , pick a stopping point for the next day, and make a reservation, it is generally just a bit cheaper that way. I have even said thanks , no thanks and went out to the bike , used their wireless, made a reservation, went back in and grinned and say.........here is my reservation number.

They are all pretty good. You get the most for the dollar at a Best Western I think, breakfast, snacks, some are high, so you do have to pick and chose.

glarson3 · Mar 10, 2011

Kit Carson said:
I think they are all pretty motorcycle friendly. Sometimes even without asking they will tell you that you can park right in front of the motel by the entrance. If you ask they alway say yes.

One tip, carry a laptop , pick a stopping point for the next day, and make a reservation, it is generally just a bit cheaper that way. I have even said thanks , no thanks and went out to the bike , used their wireless, made a reservation, went back in and grinned and say.........here is my reservation number.

They are all pretty good. You get the most for the dollar at a Best Western I think, breakfast, snacks, some are high, so you do have to pick and chose.

Last year when we were in Bakersfield, CA for a ride the owner of the motel offered to let us park our bikes under the canopy in front of the Motel. When we got back from our ride there were two cars parked where we had been parked. We went and parked elsewhere in the parking lot. As we were walking to the entrance the owner came out waving at us. He told us he had parked his cars to save our spots. He moved his cars and we were able to put our bikes out of the sun and next to the entrance. I'm guessing a 'loud pipes save lives' bike may not have been welcome right next to the entrance, but I'm only guessing.

Overall I've found people quite friendly and accommodating of motorcycles. There are exceptions, but it rarely hurts to ask.

I don't have a link of what you are looking for, but if you can give a general idea of a specific place perhaps someone on the board will have first-hand experience they'd be willing to share.

31261 · Mar 10, 2011

glarson3 said:
Last year when we were in Bakersfield, CA for a ride the owner of the motel offered to let us park our bikes under the canopy in front of the Motel. When we got back from our ride there were two cars parked where we had been parked. We went and parked elsewhere in the parking lot. As we were walking to the entrance the owner came out waving at us. He told us he had parked his cars to save our spots. He moved his cars and we were able to put our bikes out of the sun and next to the entrance. I'm guessing a 'loud pipes save lives' bike may not have been welcome right next to the entrance, but I'm only guessing.

Overall I've found people quite friendly and accommodating of motorcycles. There are exceptions, but it rarely hurts to ask.

I don't have a link of what you are looking for, but if you can give a general idea of a specific place perhaps someone on the board will have first-hand experience they'd be willing to share.

That does make a difference. A Wing , a smile, neat, a haircut, it does have a bearing on things. I have seen loud pipes turned away, because they just gave a choice of rooms and the other guy just walked in the door and they tell him............full up..........

bingle50 · Mar 10, 2011

GrandpaGreg said:
I tried using the 'Search' function to find information on the subject but didn't have any luck.

Can anyone provide information and/or links to websites regarding motorcycle friendly motels/hotels/B&B's in Canada and the USA?

Thanks,

Greg Jones
Cambridge, Ontario
CANADA

I have never been able to find an all inclusive site; it would probably be so large as to be unmanageable.

You can Google "Motorcycle friendly Lodging" and come up with hundreds of sites and that is far from being all inclusive.

Just for grins I did that and not a one came up with the D'Rose Inn or Koyote Ranch (2) of my favorite motorcycle resort locations in the Texas Hill country.
Nor did I find anything for Eureka Springs, Arkansas for that search; half the business in Eureka Springs are owned by bikers.

I am going to have to agree with Kit; it has gotten to the point that a lot of establishments are catering to the biker crowd. Face it, the touring crowd is riding bikes that are not cheap and we are out there on the highways and byways, living large and spending money. Most want our business.

It never hurts to let folks know that your arriving on a bike; I have been surprised at how many perks and discounts are out there just for bikers.

stevesride · Mar 11, 2011

http://www.bike-stay.net/usa/index.html

Give this a try! :smile:

cdh · Mar 11, 2011

Biker friendly motels

I have found no problem at Comfort Inns, and Best Western.
Ride safe...

bingle50 · Mar 11, 2011

stevesride said:
http://www.bike-stay.net/usa/index.html

Give this a try! :smile:

My point exactly, there are literally hundreds of bike friendly, great places to stay in the Texas area but you do not find many of them mentioned.

I am sure it is the same for most states.

We found Hotel Nevada in Ely NV quite by accident last year; that was just over the top. Who would think you would find a 47 Indian, fully restored sitting in the lobby of a hotel along with 4 or 5 other antique bikes scattered through out the lobby and dinning area.
http://www.hotelnevada.com/

Take a look at the accolades on this place; and yet is is not mentioned in the site listed.

http://www.droseinn.com/Photo_Gallery.html

kwthom · Mar 11, 2011

bingle50 said:
<...>I am going to have to agree with Kit; it has gotten to the point that a lot of establishments are catering to the biker crowd. Face it, the touring crowd is riding bikes that are not cheap and we are out there on the highways and byways, living large and spending money. Most want our business.

It never hurts to let folks know that your arriving on a bike; I have been surprised at how many perks and discounts are out there just for bikers.

:agree: on that last comment!

Business is bad all around, so when folks turn up, hey, business picks up. Especially if you're into the mom & pop types of places. Might not be the easiest to make a reservation (e.g. phone call vs. a few clickies on the keyboard), but most times, worth it in the end.

twyn · Mar 11, 2011

Never had an issue with any lodging place. As some said before, there are places that will let you park under an overhang if the weather's bad and have rags to clean your bike. Just remember, you are an ambassador for the motorcycle community so don't be a jerk and ruin it for those that come behind you.

Harper · Mar 11, 2011

They are all pretty good. You get the most for the dollar at a Best Western I think, breakfast, snacks, some are high, so you do have to pick and chose.[/QUOTE]

I agree on Best Westerns. Also have had real good luck with LaQuinta Inns if you can find one. They are much rarer than BW's.

Guest · Mar 11, 2011

Try this forum on Horizons Unlimited

CAWing78 · Mar 14, 2011

bingle50 said:
My point exactly, there are literally hundreds of bike friendly, great places to stay in the Texas area but you do not find many of them mentioned.

I am sure it is the same for most states.

We found Hotel Nevada in Ely NV quite by accident last year; that was just over the top. Who would think you would find a 47 Indian, fully restored sitting in the lobby of a hotel along with 4 or 5 other antique bikes scattered through out the lobby and dinning area.
http://www.hotelnevada.com/

Take a look at the accolades on this place; and yet is is not mentioned in the site listed.

http://www.droseinn.com/Photo_Gallery.html

Hotel Nevada in Ely is a great place to stay and they are definitely motorcycle friendly. I've stayed there twice and when you tell them you're on a bike you receive a 10% discount. They also have secure motorcycle parking. Ely is a fun town to visit if you're in the area.

Farmguy · Mar 14, 2011

wing-renter said:
Best Western will give you a real good discount on a room AND provide you with a means to wash your bike. But you gotta be on a Harley. Honda doesn't get us deals like this.

https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/hd-events.asp?cfg=hd

We've always found the same good treatment as in the 'harley' bw promotion -- wash station, towels, parking locations etc -- seems the operators of the bw properties do not distinguish bwtween bike brands. Kinda like all snow machines are 'skidoos':roll:

cirbtap · Mar 15, 2011

While on a trip to the U.P. we pulled into a motel. (mom and pop place)
They told us we could park under the canopy 'cause rain was coming in.
Then we walked over to their bar. No bartender. The cook came over and said that we could just help ourselves and they will be someone around
a couple of hours. We didn't stay that long, but had a good time any ways.
Great place. For the life of me, can't think of their name though.

Ride safe.

Pat

CAWing78 · Mar 15, 2011

cirbtap said:
While on a trip to the U.P. we pulled into a motel. (mom and pop place)
They told us we could park under the canopy 'cause rain was coming in.
Then we walked over to their bar. No bartender. The cook came over and said that we could just help ourselves and they will be someone around
a couple of hours. We didn't stay that long, but had a good time any ways.
Great place. For the life of me, can't think of their name though.

Ride safe.

Pat

I don't think I'd be able to remember too much about the place either if they told me that I could just help myself in the bar. :lol:

lakecharles · Mar 31, 2011

CAWing said:
I don't think I'd be able to remember too much about the place either if they told me that I could just help myself in the bar. :lol:

Ha!

ben721364 · Mar 31, 2011

I have never had a problem finding accomodations that welcome quiet motorcycles. Though i don't wash my bike while traveling, I have had desk clerks offer worn cloths and ask that I not use their good towels to clean the bike. That's certainly reasonable in my opinion.

I pick motels in areas that look safe, try to part near the entrance under lights and put a 1/2 cover on the machine to discourage grandpa from sitting the little monster on it or playing with the controls.

Rail32 · Apr 1, 2011

Kit Carson said:
One tip, carry a laptop , pick a stopping point for the next day, and make a reservation, it is generally just a bit cheaper that way. I have even said thanks , no thanks and went out to the bike , used their wireless, made a reservation, went back in and grinned and say.........here is my reservation number.

Thats one of the reasons I bought IPad , I only stay in motels when wife is along but have booked reservations in parking lots more than once.:thumbup:

ben721364 · Apr 1, 2011

rail32 said:
Thats one of the reasons I bought IPad , I only stay in motels when wife is along but have booked reservations in parking lots more than once.:thumbup:

I even once used a "lobby" PC to make a reservation on-line at the motel I was sitting in. The motel manager suggested that I do so to save $15. <g>

Blue-In-Wisconsin · Apr 1, 2011

While on our vacation and heading home, (Iowa I believe) we were caught in a hail storm, rain and wind. Found a Super Eight, parked undercover, checked in and the manager told us to pull our bikes into his garage out of the storm. We slept well, as well as our bikes. There are some great people out there!

ben721364 · Apr 1, 2011

Blue-In-Wisconsin said:
While on our vacation and heading home, (Iowa I believe) we were caught in a hail storm, rain and wind. Found a Super Eight, parked undercover, checked in and the manager told us to pull our bikes into his garage out of the storm. We slept well, as well as our bikes. There are some great people out there!

That was nice of the hotel manager. Motel managers have shown similar courtesies to me. That said, motorcycles don't mind the rain any more than cars do. Sitting overnight in a soaking rain amounts to a bath. It only takes a minute to sweep the rain water off the windscreen and saddle in the morning.

I do like to park near the front door when I can and place a 1/2 cover on the bike to discourage rug rats and drunks from climbing on.

'MOTORCYCLE FRIENDLY' MOTELS/HOTELS/B&B's

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