Clermont Motor Hotel
Atlanta, GA Photo courtesy Kevin Powers
Here's the Clermont Motor Hotel in Atlanta, GA. This is one of the original "motor hotels" and is still intact. The Clermont is still open and does a pretty good business. Many thanks to Kevin Powers for info. 02-09
Ponce de Leon Avenue has no shortage of interesting sights, but it's hard not to look up when the glowing rooftop sign for the Clermont Motor Hotel comes into view. The tall red neon has been watching over this stretch of Atlanta for decades, making it one of those landmarks that sticks with you long after you've driven past.
The building began life as apartments in 1924 before becoming the Clermont Hotel in 1939. As roadside travel grew after the war, it found a second life as a motor hotel, welcoming travelers exploring Atlanta or simply looking for a place to spend the night. While plenty of old motels have disappeared over the years, the Clermont always seemed to have a little more character than most.
Clermont Motor Hotel
Atlanta, GA Photo courtesy Kevin Powers
Of course, many people know the building for what was happening downstairs. Since 1965, the Clermont Lounge has built a reputation as one of Atlanta's most famous nightlife spots, drawing everyone from curious tourists to musicians, actors, and locals looking for an unforgettable evening. Even if you never walked through the door, chances are you've heard the stories.
By the late 2000s the hotel itself had fallen on hard times and closed at the end of 2009, leaving many to wonder if another vintage roadside landmark was about to disappear. Fortunately, that wasn't the end of the story. After a careful restoration, the property reopened in 2018 as the Hotel Clermont, with the famous rooftop neon restored and shining over Ponce once again.
UPDATE: The beautifully restored hotel is open today, and its classic rooftop neon remains one of Atlanta's best-known roadside landmarks. 08-26
Thunderbird Inn
Savannah, GA Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
Some motel signs were built to get your attention, and the Thunderbird Inn certainly does the job. The giant neon bird soaring across the sign is hard to miss, especially after dark when the colorful tubing lights up Oglethorpe Avenue. It's the kind of sign that makes you wonder what the place is like before you even pull into the parking lot. 04-09
Opened in 1964, the Thunderbird is one of Savannah's classic roadside motels. The retro look doesn't stop with the sign, either. Guests are welcomed with fun touches like RC Colas, MoonPies, and fresh donuts, giving the place a little extra personality that's becoming harder to find.
A careful restoration in 2018 kept the vintage feel alive, including the motel's famous neon sign. It's still one of the best roadside sights in Savannah and well worth a second look if you're passing through.
UPDATE: The Thunderbird Inn remains open, and its restored neon still shines along Oglethorpe Avenue. 08-26
Moon Winx Motel (Gone)
Tuscaloosa, A Photo courtesy Chet Wilson
If ever there was a motel sign that could steal the show, it was the Moon Winx Motel. The giant smiling crescent moon, complete with a top hat and glowing neon, greeted travelers along Highway 11 for decades. It's one of those signs you don't forget once you've seen it. 07-01
The Moon Winx began as a tourist court in the late 1920s before growing into a full roadside motel around 1950. During the Bear Bryant years, the University of Alabama football team was even known to stay here before home games, adding a little local legend to an already memorable stop.
The motel survived the devastating 2011 tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa, but time eventually caught up with it. The property closed in 2023 and was demolished later that year, bringing an end to one of Alabama's best-known independent motels.
UPDATE: The motel is gone today, and the famous Moon Winx sign no longer stands over University Boulevard. 08-26
Clermont Motor Hotel
Clermont Motor Hotel
Moon Winx Motel (Gone)
