Kentucky hotel is bringing back the roadside motel, now with poolside bourbon slushies
“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”
Jack Kerouac from the novel, “On the Road”
No one loved an American road trip more than the beat poet of the 1950s and ’60s, who chronicled his and a nation’s love affair with the open road in his seminal novel “On the Road.”
Those old enough to remember what it was like to experience America’s sights from the front or back seat of a car rather than a plane window also remember the thrill they had when a “Vacancy” sign appeared at a roadside motel.
It served as a welcoming beacon for a car full of weary road warriors, who knew the day’s journey was over and what awaited them was a dip in the swimming pool and dinner before turning in for the night with dreams of adventures yet to come.
One of those motor lodges, Bardstown’s Parkview Motel, across from the entrance to My Old Kentucky Home State Park welcomed travelers to both the motel and its family-owned restaurant, Kurtz’s, for 84 years before closing in 2021.
Recent years had seen the motor lodge fall into disfavor as boutique hotels came on the scene. Many motor lodges became roadside eyesores. The once-picturesque properties – now relics of a recent past – were allowed to decay. The Parkview was one of these casualties.
Motor lodges making a comeback
Then came COVID. Those unwilling to give up travel still wanted to avoid crowds – whether at a hotel registration desk, in a hotel elevator or a hotel dining room. The once-spurned motor lodges, which allowed for quick registration and entrance to a room directly from the parking lot, had a resurgence. Previously relegated to a nostalgic will o’ the wisp, motor lodges were suddenly on trend.
The Bardstown Motor Lodge, on the site of the old Parkview, opened in January, of this year – following its restaurant, Toogie’s Table, which had opened a few months prior in October of 2022.
The Louisville-based Weyland Ventures, developer of the motor lodge, formed Common Bond Hotel Collection to take advantage of tax credits allowed for preservation projects.
It was an immediate success, particularly with millennials enchanted by the motor lodge’s retro feel, and the opportunity to have the same kind of uniquely American experience their parents had.
Guests checking into the 35-room Bardstown Motor Lodge will find the rooms decorated simply in mid-20th century style with muted colors and clean lines, but with strictly 21st century amenities such as king beds, plush linens and wide screen TVs.
The majority of the rooms open directly onto a large common courtyard lawn for activities such as corn hole and croquet, and an adjoining swimming pool.
The lawn has Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit where toasting marshmallows for s’mores can make a sultry summer night all the sweeter.
For more summer fun, the courtyard also has a concession stand for poolside snacks, and while the kids are having a burger and a shake, their parents can kick back with a weekly specialty bourbon slushee.
Next to the concession stand is the game room for such activities as board game tournaments and trivia nights.
“We may even schedule some cocktail classes there,” says Laura Crawford, Bardstown Motor Lodge’s director of sales & marketing, adding that “there will also be poolside yoga classes as long as the pool stays open.”
Impressive bourbon list, cocktail menu
One thing the Bardstown Motor Lodge has that most of its early counterparts lacked is a full-service restaurant – and as befits the Bourbon Capital of the World, an extensive bourbon bar.
Located on the second floor of the former Kurtz’s, the bar has a speakeasy feel, tucked off the restaurant. Soft jazz sets the mood for contemporary craft cocktails such as the Steady Hand, their riff on a Manhattan, featuring Old Grand-Dad, amaro blend, bitters and Luxardo Cherry, and the Ultraviolet Chandelier, a heady mixture of Roku Gin, Blanc Vermouth, pea flower, sage and baby’s breath.
The top seller on the cocktail list, says Crawford, is the Bardstown Yacht Club, featuring Maker’s Mark bourbon, Sorel Hibiscus Liqueur, ginger, honey, lemon and soda float.
The impressive bourbon list is composed of strictly Bardstown brands, including the first barrel pick, a 120 proof Knob Creek with notes of cherry and nuts, that was selected by distiller Freddie Noe and Toogie herself.
Otherwise known as Marilyn Dick, she is a member of the Kurtz family, and at 92-years-old, claims to drink only cask strength bourbon.
Restaurant serves eclectic menu with local food
Occupying two floors, Toogie’s Table has an eclectic menu with starters, shareable plates and entrees.
For starters, the Whipped Labneh Cream Duo of Nduja salumi (house roasted and smoked olives stuffed with a salami pate mixed with labneh, similar to a Greek yogurt) and eggplant on sourdough is the most popular offering.
A favorite in the shareables category is the Quick Stop Meatpie, featuring Jake’s Country Sausage, a staple at Bardstown’s 150 Quick Stop Convenience Store, with seasonal pickles and beer mustard.
As far as entrees go, it’s hard to pass up the Tavern Burger & Wedge Potatoes with Peperonada, bacon jam, muenster and dijonaise, although you might be tempted by the chicken & spaetzle dumplings (smoked chicken thigh, cracklins and Trappist beer mustard), and for vegans, cauliflower and roots (curry puree, rutabaga, celeriac and crispy shallot.)
Pasta lovers will be heartened to know that while the menu is limited, the noodles are all made in house.
Chef Mike Wajda is a proponent of using local fresh ingredients, and has developed partnerships with area businesses, such as The Grain Wright in Louisville which furnishes their bread and Freedom Run Farm in Shelbyville where they get their lamb.
It’s safe to say that even the beloved motor courts of yesteryear never put out a spread like you’ll find at Toogie’s Table.
Finally, while they don’t yet offer full breakfast, they fuel guests for the day with special dishes they can order the night before (coconut oats and berries, honey whipped yogurt and granola, egg, pimento and bacon breakfast sandwich and muffin of the day.)
This summer, channel your inner Jack Kerouac, and get on the road. No need to go all the way to Route 66; the Bluegrass Parkway will take you to Bardstown for a nostalgic getaway at Bardstown Motor Lodge.
Bardstown Motor Lodge
Where: 418 E. Stephen Foster Ave.
Phone: 502-275-0890
Online: bardstownmotorlodge.com