Roadrunner Lodge Motel — Hotel in Four Corners States

My stay was on the last night of a two week road trip in the Southwest. Husband and I added an extra night in Tucumcari because we liked it so much the week before. PROS: The 60s experience room was sweet. Magic Fingers, Moon Pies, a Battleship game and Viewmaster to play with, drinking glasses covered in motel paper sleeves. The owner gave us 25 cents for the Magic Fingers. The sink and toilet were the same blue as my grandma's 1959 bathroom and the shower was tiled in swimming pool fun.. The bed was very comfortable. The Route 66 radio was the owner's special broadcast beyond the usual satellite version. There was a yard to hang out in and cafe table and chairs outside all the rooms. There were local magazines and brochures and a free admission pass to the local museum. CONS: 1) This room cost 40% more than any other room of my whole trip including Las Vegas and the other vintage Tucumcari motel I stayed in the week before. 2) There was no coffee maker in the room. The kettle in the office was unavailable as we had to get on the road at 6 am before they opened. Husband was audibly miffed as he just wanted a coffee in the morning and wasn't inclined to access the microwave in another area of the hotel at 530 am. 3) He also smokes outside but had to walk to the designated smoking area across the compound instead of being able to sit outside the room as with other motels on Route 66. 4) I didn't know the previous guests had left the wrong taps open and I couldn't get hot water in the shower. I had to call the office and the owner came right away, but in the end, the hot water fluctuated constantly from hot to warm to scalding during my 5 minute shower. 5) When we first arrived, we turned on the A/C which blasted a mold which made me wheeze. My husband shut it off because I have asthma (I usually only need my inhaler 1-2x a year). The room was too hot without A/C and I turned it back on, used my inhaler 3 times, and still kept wheezing. I was already losing sleep needed before the 10 hour drive the next day (I'm the only driver), but the owner came over right away and gave us another room (thank goodness there was one!) whose A/C was fine - no mold at all. He was very responsive and really nice about it all though I was so worried about the wheezing and so terribly overtired by this time that I was quite cranky. The A/C units were brand new so I don't blame the owners but it was definitely the worst night of my trip. I was wheezing most of the night and did not get enough sleep. I would recommend the Roadrunner because I believe my issue was rather singular, but I still think it's just a bit pricey when some basic motel amenities are outside the room. If a comforting cuppa (coffee or tea) in your room is your thing, I would recommend you bring your own kettle...

If you’re thinking of staying at the Roadrunner Lodge, you’re probably a fan of Route 66 – and I’d highly recommend a stay here. But even if you’re not a fan of the Mother Road, and just decide to stay in “Tucumcari Tonite,” I’d still recommend the Roadrunner Lodge because of the wonder attention to detail that has gone into your stay.

I stayed in one of their “Swanky 60s” rooms, and was immediately transported away in time when I opened the door. The period furniture and lamps first struck me, along with their own radio station “broadcasting” hits (and old commercials) from the era. Then there were the little things – an old Life magazine, the “sanitized for your protection” wrappers on the glasses and the toilet, a couple Moon Pies left as snacks, an old TV tray that I was able to put my laptop on (they have a really fast wi-fi connection, BTW), and my bed was equipped with Magic Fingers. The bed itself was so comfortable, I had a great night’s sleep the two nights I stayed, but the Magic Fingers made it even better – both in comfort and in nostalgia. The rooms are smaller, but they pack a lot of punch in giving you the true 60s feel.

And their attention to detail doesn’t stop there. The owners, David and Amanda, always make sure that your visit is completely without worry or concern. They have plenty of tips to help you enjoy your stay, a fresh cup of coffee to start your morning, and make you feel completely at ease. Add the fact that the Roadrunner Lodge is located within walking distance of two of the best restaurants in Tucumcari (Kix on 66 for breakfast and lunch, and Del’s for dinner), and you just can’t go wrong staying here even for just a night.

There’s a lot of work and care that went into bringing back this old motel, and it’s worth experiencing wherever your travels...

We stayed here as part of our road trip, starting the morning of our stay for a drive down 66 to celebrate the Mother Road's 97th birthday. This motel was absolutely magnificent. There was not a detail that wasn't attended to. The towels for motorcycles and the great bin was a brilliant touch that gave it the real motor court feel even though we didn't need them. The lobby was a step back in time with reel to reel tape player, awesome souvenirs and a bunn-o-matic coffee maker with the perfect selection of morning treats. I got a glass bottle Coke and an RC to enjoy in the room.

The room was AMAZING! The lights were on, and they had the room at the perfect temperature with the Victrola transistor type radio playing their own radio station. That was honestly the best part. I got to sit there and listen to ads for Chesterfield cigarettes, Nat King Cole and enjoy a moon pie after everyone went to bed. Really made me wish I had a Life magazine to tie it all together. One of the ads mentioned "Catsup made with real pineapple vinegar" and it made me long for a time when things were awesome. This place really fits the bill for the retro motor lodge, and if I'm ever in the area again, I will most certainly be there again. Everything was so so clean, the bedding felt like we were the first people to sleep in it and the owners were on site the entire time. I honestly can't recommend this place enough. Those chain places by the highway are trash compared to this, and literally the same price so do yourself a favor...