The Koolwink Motel, located in Romney, West Virginia first opened in 1936. The Koolwink Tourist Home, as it was called then, sold at public auction in 1955 to the original owners’ great-nephew and his wife, and they—Wallace and Pauline Mauk—still own it today. The motel was expanded in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and now includes several small buildings, including an annex on top of the hill (where we stayed).

Romney, West Virginia is a small town established in 1762, making it one of the oldest towns in the state. The Koolwink seems to be a bit out of the way no matter which direction you’re coming from or headed to, but when my friends stayed here on a trip out west last year I put it on my wish-list. Luckily, when my mom and I started planning our August road trip, the Koolwink fit in nearly seamlessly with our plans.

We didn’t explore anything around the Koolwink, but I’m also guessing that we didn’t miss much. Directly across the street is a bowling alley, but we had to drive nearly an hour the next morning before we reached a suitable diner for breakfast. The rooms are very large in a way that you almost never see in modern hotel rooms, and although most of the furnishings are solidly vintage the room was spotless. The Koolwink claims to be “a modern facility with a retro feel,” which is the best combination in my opinion.

Whoever is in charge of branding at the Koolwink really nailed it, and their dapper, winking mascot is everywhere—on outdoor signage, the shower curtain, ice bucket, notepad and complimentary mints. I couldn’t resist buying a mug, which cost a very reasonable $4 and brings a touch of mid-century class to my morning coffee.

Koolwink Motel
24350 Northwestern Pike,
Romney, WV 26757
304.822.3595 (call for reservations)