Motel ranks fifth in USA Today

The Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari finished fifth in a list of Best Roadside Motels compiled by USA Today.

According to USA Today, a panel of experts partnered with the newspaper's 10Best,com editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were chosen by popular vote.

USA Today said this about the Roadrunner: "This restored motel on Route 66 blends mid-century style with modern conveniences, like premium mattresses, plush towels, free wifi and HDTVs with more than 120 channels. The historic property is truly a mom and pop operation."

The motel's owner, David Brenner, expressed gratitude towards his guests for their support in the voting.

"We are so very fortunate to have welcomed thousands and thousands of tourists and travelers since reopening this once-abandoned property," he stated in a news release.

In addition to the USA Today ranking, the Roadrunner Lodge Motel is ranked in the top 10% on TripAdvisor.com.

Another historic Route 66 motel in Tucumcari, the Blue Swallow Motel, also finished in the top 10 of USA Today's rankings.

"The Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, New Mexico, has been welcoming travelers along Historic Route 66 since 1939," USA Today stated. "The family-owned and operated motel boasts restored rooms equipped with a desk, seating area, vintage lamps and rotary dial phones. A classic neon sign still illuminates the historic courtyard each night."

The top five finishers were The Coachman Hotel in South Lake Tahoe, California; Lincoln Motor Court in Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania; Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina; Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona; and the Roadrunner.

In sixth through 10th place were: The Vagabond Hotel in Miami; Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari; Hotel Palms in Atlantic Beach, Florida; The Astro Motel and The Sandman, both in Santa Rosa, California.