The red retro neon Mother Earth Motor Lodge sign flashes on like the marquee of a great theater, beckoning visitors down N Heritage Street in Kinston. With its giant arrow pointing the way, this funky beacon is also a stop on Kinston’s prolific Public Art Trail (pick up a brochure in the lobby). Inside, guests checking in immediately feel like they’re in 1970s Miami. Jewel-toned blue, classic couches and a bright mural illustrating a map of downtown Kinston by artist John Groesser welcome everyone. Guests add a dash of pop art to their social feeds with selfies from the seat of a dangling, egg-chair with candy apple red cushions. It’s happy hour, so the smell of freshly popped popcorn wafts from the machine, warm cookies and cool lemonade adorn the small bar. The jolly front desk staff check folks in between taking orders for beers and hard seltzers from Mother Earth Brewing.
The two-story Motor Lodge is a big "U" with a fantastic three ring pool and fountain in the courtyard. Each room has a courtyard entrance, and from the balcony outside second-floor rooms you can take in a view of all the entertainment offerings on the quaint campus: the splashing fountain pool, a putt-putt course, table tennis, shuffleboard, communal outdoor grills by a pergola with comfy seating, bicycles for rent. A stroll around the exterior upper deck leads you to an outdoor lounge with plenty of room for guests to gather, bring their beverages and books, and settle down for a sunset.
More fun awaits once guests open their rooms. Pull back the curtains for a courtyard view from a desk or table. Suites include a sitting room, refrigerator, and sink. All rooms carry on the fun retro furniture and echo the vibrant colors from the lobby. Comforters burst with pink, blue and yellow bubble patterns. Counters and bathrooms are restored originals from the 1963 building, also a National Historic Site.
Formerly known as Kinston’s Mid-Town Motor Lodge, this revived motel was originally built to accommodate travelers coming through on Highway 70 and Route 11. In the 1960s Kinston drew people from all over the state who wanted to see big band ensembles of the era. The motor lodge’s claim to fame is that James Brown and his band once stayed there after playing a gig in town. In the 1970s Kinston saw less visitors and the motor lodge closed. It came under new ownership in the 1980s and received a new name as the Kinston Motor Lodge, but once again was forced to close. In 2017, the Motor Lodge was brought back to life by Mother Earth Brewing and Mother Earth Spirits founder Stephen Hill. Now it is a thriving destination that calls to visitors of all ages and walks of life.
The Mother Earth Motor Lodge is right downtown, meaning guests are just a short walk from the Avenue of the Arts and John Sayre’s iconic sculpture, The Flue. Though the Motor Lodge offers a complimentary breakfast, it’s less than a five-minute walk to Lovick’s Café for some classic Southern biscuits and gravy. Many make the pilgrimage to Kinston to dine at Chef and the Farmer, that’s walking distance, too. You’ll get a good sense of the downtown as you pass by Mother Earth Brewing, shops, and galleries. Follow the Public Art Trail and discover murals, Pearson Park along the Neuse River, the CSS Neuse replica and museum, and the Lenoir County Farmers Market.
After touring downtown, return for an afternoon at the pool. A typical late afternoon scene: a trim couple in their 60s soak up the sun on low-slung lounge chairs. Under the shade of an umbrella, a young professional types on his laptop while his companion brings him a beer from the bar inside. A grinning brother and sister who can’t be older than 10 jump through the streaming fountains falling into the pool. A dad brings them fresh popcorn and warm chocolate chip cookies from the complementary happy hour snack bar inside.
The Mother Earth Motor Lodge is a hip trip back in time with modern amenities that keep guests smiling and coming back. All the Southern hospitality you’d expect, with a retro kick.