The Longleaf Hotel

America’s supply of mid-century motor inns may not be infinite, but it’s showing no signs of running out. In Raleigh, North Carolina, an undistinguished corporate chain hotel was found to have, beneath a layer of stucco, the bones of a fossilized Sixties Travelodge — and after an archaeological-grade restoration and a modernist-inspired redesign it’s back in business, this time as the Longleaf Hotel.

It’s named, fittingly, for a classic-but-endangered emblem of North Carolina’s forests, and while its interiors are instantly familiar to anyone with an appreciation for mid-century modernism, every detail is carefully tailored to the place, from the longleaf needle wallpaper to the textiles by local maker Rise & Ramble. The most basic rooms are comfortable, if cozy, at 230 to 250 square feet, while others add a sitting room or, in the case of the suite, a full-size parlor with a queen sleeper sofa.

The rooms aren’t just stylish, but substantially more luxe than typical motor-lodge fare, with details like Kingsdown mattresses and Malin + Goetz bath products. Equally upscale is the Longleaf Hotel’s lounge, which serves local beers, creative cocktails, and modern versions of classic bar snacks, alongside a truly impressive (and suitably international) wine list.