River-Aire Motel
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The River-Aire Motel is one of those places that's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. At first glance, it almost looks like only the old sign is left. But tucked behind the house out front are a handful of motel units, making it one of the smallest roadside motels around. 12-08

When this photo was taken in 2008, it wasn't clear if the motel was still open. The sign had already lost some of its neon tubing, giving it a worn but still charming look. Even so, it was another reminder that not every roadside motel fit the typical long row of rooms along the highway.

UPDATE: The River-Aire Motel is still operating today. Fortunately, the vintage roadside sign is still standing, although some of its original neon tubing is missing. 07-26

Dunrovin Motel (Gone)
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Dunrovin Motel had a simple message for travelers passing through Sault Ste. Marie: "The Quiet Motel." Sometimes that's all you needed after a long day on the road. While it may not have had the flashiest sign in town, it had a personality all its own. 12-08

By the time the old roadside motels began disappearing from the Soo, the Dunrovin was one of the casualties. The motel is gone today, and so is the sign that once welcomed travelers looking for a quiet night's stay.

UPDATE: The Dunrovin Motel has disappeared from the roadside, and its vintage sign is gone as well. Another mom-and-pop motel has quietly become part of history. 07-26

Rest a While Motel (Demolished)
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Rest a While Motel had one of those names that probably sounded pretty good after a long day behind the wheel. Unfortunately, by the time this photo was taken in 2008, there wasn't much left to rest at. The motel had already been demolished, leaving behind little more than a pile of rubble and an overgrown lot. 12-08

Like so many independent roadside motels, the Rest a While quietly disappeared with very little documentation of its history. Even the vintage sign that once welcomed weary travelers had already vanished, leaving almost no trace that a motel ever stood here.

UPDATE: The Rest a While Motel is long gone, and today there's little evidence it ever existed. Another small piece of Sault Ste. Marie's roadside history has faded away. 07-26

Sunset Motel (Gone)
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Sunset Motel near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, looked awfully quiet during several visits in summer 2008. No cars or people appeared, yet the grass stayed neatly mowed. Someone was looking after the place, even if it was hard to tell whether rooms were still available. 12-08

Serving travelers near I-75 and old Mackinac Trail, Sunset advertised itself as “Clean, Cozy, Carpeted, Comfortable!” Its arrow and vacancy panel supplied the familiar roadside invitation. No fancy promises here—just the basics motorists wanted after a long drive through the Upper Peninsula.

UPDATE: Sunset Motel has closed, and its vintage sign has been removed. The quiet property eventually lost the marquee that once pointed travelers toward a room, ending another chapter along the old highway. 07-26

7 Seas Motel (Gone)
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The 7 Seas Motel was one of three classic motels that once lined West Portage Avenue across from the Soo Locks. It had a unique layout, with the motel rooms tucked above and behind the street-front 7 Seas Gift Shop, making the most of its prime location overlooking one of Sault Ste. Marie's busiest tourist areas. 12-08

By the time this photo was taken in 2008, both the motel and gift shop appeared to be closed. It was another reminder that even properties with some of the best locations couldn't escape the changing travel landscape. Along with neighboring motels, the 7 Seas was part of an era when travelers could pull in, spend the night, and walk across the street to watch the freighters pass through the Soo Locks.

UPDATE: The 7 Seas Motel and Gift Shop are both gone, and the old roadside sign has disappeared as well. Today, another piece of the Soo's roadside history has quietly slipped away. 07-26

Captains Quarters Motel
Saugatuck, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Captain's Quarters Motel is another one of those classic mom-and-pop motels that's still welcoming travelers today. Located along Blue Star Highway, the old U.S. 31 route around Saugatuck, it's the kind of place that brings back memories of family road trips before the interstates took over. 12-08

The motel has a simple, traditional layout with rooms spread across a few single-story buildings, and the vintage roadside sign still does a nice job of catching your attention. It's not an over-the-top marquee, but it has just enough character to fit the motel's nautical theme and remind you of an earlier era of roadside travel.

UPDATE: The Captain's Quarters Motel remains open and family owned. Fortunately, the vintage roadside sign is still standing and continues to welcome travelers along Blue Star Highway. 07-26

Shangrai-La Motel (Rem.)
Saugatuck, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Shangrai-La Motel welcomed travelers along old U.S. 31, now Blue Star Highway, just north of Saugatuck, Michigan. Built in the early 1950s, it offered drive-up rooms, a swimming pool, and familiar motor-court styling. Its name reportedly drew inspiration from the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La. 12-08

After closing and sitting abandoned, the property was purchased in 2011 and restored as the retro-themed Saugatuck Motel. The work retained much of its mid-century character, giving the old lodging stop another chance instead of sending it to the wrecking ball.

UPDATE: The property continues operating as Saugatuck Motel. The original Shangrai-La marquee has been replaced, but the restored buildings still welcome travelers along Blue Star Highway. It’s good to see the rooms getting another chapter, even without the old sign out front. 07-26