If you’re a fan of the classic comedy movie “Vacation,” then you might be wondering which hotel was featured in the film. The movie follows the Griswold family as they embark on a road trip from Chicago to the fictional Walley World amusement park in California. Along the way, they encounter a series of mishaps and misadventures, including a disastrous stay at a less-than-ideal hotel.
The Hotel
The hotel featured in “Vacation” is called the Roy Walley Inn, named after the owner of Walley World. The Roy Walley Inn is a fictional hotel created specifically for the movie, and it’s not an actual place that you can visit in real life. However, it’s clear that the filmmakers drew inspiration from real-life hotels when designing the Roy Walley Inn.
The Inspiration
According to interviews with members of the cast and crew, the design of the Roy Walley Inn was inspired by several different hotels across America. One major influence was the Wigwam Village motel in Rialto, California.
This motel features teepee-shaped rooms and has been open since 1949. It’s easy to see how this unique structure could have inspired some of the design elements seen in “Vacation.”
Another possible inspiration for the Roy Walley Inn is the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. This hotel is known for its over-the-top decor and themed rooms, which include everything from rock formations to floral patterns. While not as overtly themed as some of Madonna Inn’s rooms, there are definitely hints of this kind of aesthetic present in “Vacation.”
- Additionally
- the filmmakers also drew inspiration from several other sources,
- including roadside motels and other Americana architecture.
The Filming Location
While the Roy Walley Inn isn’t a real hotel, the filmmakers did use a real location to film the exterior shots. The hotel used for these shots is actually in Arizona and is called the Desert Inn.
The Desert Inn was built in 1960 and features a distinctive mid-century modern design. Its unique architecture makes it a popular destination for photographers and fans of retro design.
In Conclusion
While the Roy Walley Inn may not be a real place, it’s clear that the filmmakers put a lot of thought into its design. Drawing inspiration from various sources, they created a unique and memorable fictional hotel that perfectly captured the spirit of “Vacation.” And while you can’t stay at the Roy Walley Inn, you can visit some of the real-life locations that inspired its creation.