Motor Lodge Luxe

Bardstown Motor Lodge o ers a comfortable yet luxurious throwback staycation experience

by Amanda Harper // photos courtesy Bardstown Motor Lodge

Summer means road trips. Whether you’re entertaining out-of-state guests or simply looking for a little Kentucky fun, Bardstown is a wonderful staycation destination. As the beating heart of Bourbon Trail, The Most Beautiful Small Town in America is the perfect home base for your travels.

If you want your bourbon infused with a little Americana, the Bardstown Motor Lodge offers a throwback vibe alongside thoroughly modern accommodations. This boutique hotel experience in downtown Bardstown was designed with the fun-loving traveler in mind, and it delivers a stay unlike anywhere else.

For the uninitiated, motor lodges are a throwback to the earliest days of cars. As Americans started hitting the open road, the need for hotel accommodations that catered to motorists arose. Bardstown Motor Lodge celebrates this tradition, giving this piece of our culture a much-needed comeback.

Part of the Common Bond Hotel Collection, Bardstown Motor Lodge offers an invigorating stay close to all the attractions you’ll want to experience. Wholly updated since its days as the Parkview Motel, rest assured that no opportunity for comfort (or style) went ignored. From retro mini-fridges and snuggly beds to a genuinely cool bathroom, the rooms are hip yet still cozy enough to offer a serene spot to crash after a long day of playing tourist. (The Common Bond is opening its second property in Louisville this fall – inside a former disco ball factory! The Myriad Hotel’s restaurant, Paseo, is already open.)

But the real magic of Bardstown Motor Lodge comes with the fun they pack into your stay. From the mid-centuryinspired breeze block-lined pool (with tons of luxurious cabana seating, complete with a pool bar) to the cozy firepits in the courtyard, you will never be bored, no matter the season. Toast S’mores over the fire, sip a drink while playing cornhole or socialize with other guests over board games in the comfy rec room. The attentive staff is on-hand to ensure that your every need is met, from ice water and towels to carefully crafted cocktails and casual snacks.

Speaking of good eats, Bardstown has seen a huge upsurge in fine dining experiences in recent years, and Bardstown Motor Lodge is no exception. Their on-site restaurant, Toogie’s Table, offers chef-driven, seasonal dishes that will wow. Their menu features reimagined classics with a regional bent, with dishes that are innovative yet comforting and familiar. The Spring Pea Salad (snap peas, cucumber and lime labneh with bay powder, crispy shallots and a pepper vinaigrette, dusted lightly with Toogie’s signature spice) is a bright, joyful start to your meal. The Chicken & Spaetzle Dumplings (featuring a smoked chicken thigh, Trappist beer mustard in a delicious white sauce and cracklins for a salty, smoky, creamy bite) is like a warm hug on a fall evening. Even the Tavern Burger & Wedges was unforgettable (featuring peperonada, bacon jam, muenster and dijonaise).

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to Bardstown, you may remember Kurtz Restaurant, a local staple since 1937. Marilyn “Toogie” Dick inherited the restaurant and motel from her family and worked tirelessly to honor her family’s traditions while innovating to encourage the vibrant tourism industry in the area all the way up until her retirement. Now, the restaurant proudly bears her name in recognition of all she did to help the Nelson County community. That sense of togetherness is built into the eatery, which serves as a collaboration between Director of Culinary Mike Wajda, Chef de Cuisine Jeremy Frederiksen, Kentucky farmers and local distillers.

Bardstown offers a wealth of activities for any interest, from historical attractions to bourbon distilleries (natch). Nearby Bernheim Forest offers hiking and natural exploration, while area golf courses make this town a putter’s paradise. If you’re ready to plan your trip to Bardstown, start with booking a stay at Bardstown Motor Lodge and dinner reservations at Toogie’s Table – you’ll love this retro-cool experience!