When I had childhood fantasies of driving Route 66, the famous courtyard of the Wigwam Motel in California was the first thing that popped into my mind. What would it be like to stay in one of those old school wigwams??? I even had a postcard of it on my bedroom wall as a teen. When it came to finally planning our Route 66 adventure, it was the first place I contacted for a room. It did not disappoint.
We stayed at both Wigwam Motels on our journey and I loved both of them, but the room quality here was much higher. It was purchased by the Patel family a few years ago and they have done a great job restoring and updating this classic. The son, Kumar, is a manager and is very passionate about Route 66. He is a lot of fun to talk to and glad to share his photos of his 66 trips. They are doing a beautiful job keeping this icon alive and I was very impressed with our wigwam. For the small square footage, the space feels very large and is well utilized. The bed was very comfortable, as was the couch and seating area. The big tv and an exciting touch. The bathroom was clean and functional. I liked the little diamond shape windows and Route 66 lanterns outside the room. The palm trees and well maintained pool area give it an unforgettable atmosphere. At night when the neon sign comes on, it is a sight to behold. The family serves coffee in the morning and keeps a nice selection of motel logo and 66 gifts for sale. Also, wifi is free which is much appreciated.
San Bernardino and Rialto aren't the greatest areas, but there are a lot of hidden 66 gems around the concrete superslab. Don't skip this and head straight for the center of LA because this is a great little motel and an a once in a lifetime classic not to be missed.