Curly Redwood Lodge

The motel was very accommodating when a serious car problem kept me from making my original booking. Even though I had booked through Booking.com, they moved my reservation up a day without charging extra, and check-in was easy. I see this place as a real act of architectural preservation, with the owners' care for its mid-century character showing in the small details. Calling it outdated misses the point. Buildings once dismissed as tacky can later be valued for their beauty, and this motel feels like a rare survivor worth experiencing. The rate was extremely reasonable, and I'd choose it over the sterile feel of places like Best Westerns and La Quinta.

The little wall heater took a while to warm me and the room, which was my one complaint. Otherwise, the room was clean, and the refrigerator was bigger than most. It's right on the strip, about 20 minutes from the redwoods.

A cute, welcoming motel that's run by a family. The rooms were clean and comfortable, with mid-century modern decor. The whole building was made from one redwood tree, and the location was convenient too.

The linens were clean and the room was comfortable, despite a few things that could use attention. The mattress seemed ready to be replaced, and getting the thermostat to a comfortable setting was a guessing game. The recently redone bathroom was nice and better than most motels at a similar price, though it felt out of step with the mid-century look elsewhere. The furnishings and overall design are funky in a good way, and the redwood tree concept is unusual. One small heads-up: the parking layout makes it oddly easy to walk toward the neighboring room instead of yours. I'd stay here again next time I'm in Crescent City.