If you’re a fan of the classic comedy movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” you might be curious about the hotel featured in the film. The movie, released in 1983, starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a hapless family man who takes his wife and kids on a disastrous cross-country road trip to Walley World amusement park. The hotel they stay at is an iconic part of the film’s setting, and many fans have wondered where it is located and if it actually exists.
The Hotel in “National Lampoon’s Vacation”
The hotel featured in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” is called the “Kozy Kabins” and is portrayed as a rundown motel located in the fictional town of Coolidge, Kansas. The exterior shots of the hotel were filmed at a real motel called the Royal Inn Motel, which was located at 2989 W. 6th St. in Lawrence, Kansas.
The Royal Inn Motel
The Royal Inn Motel was built in 1952 and had been a popular roadside stop for travelers along Route 40 for decades before it became famous as the filming location for “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” The motel was owned by John Van Blaricum, who was approached by the film’s producers when they were scouting locations in Kansas.
Why Was This Hotel Chosen?
According to Van Blaricum, the producers chose his motel because it fit their vision for what the Kozy Kabins should look like – rundown and seedy. They made some modifications to make it look even more run-down and cartoonish – including adding fake neon signs advertising hourly rates – but otherwise left most of its exterior intact.
What Happened to The Royal Inn Motel?
Sadly, despite its brief moment of fame thanks to “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” the Royal Inn Motel fell into disrepair in the years following the movie’s release. It was eventually demolished in 2007, and a Walgreens now stands in its place.
- So, although the hotel featured in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” was a real motel, it no longer exists today.
- The Royal Inn Motel may be gone, but its legacy lives on thanks to its appearance in one of the most beloved comedies of all time.
Conclusion
Now you know all about the hotel featured in “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” Although it was a real motel located in Lawrence, Kansas, it was modified to fit the filmmakers’ vision for the Kozy Kabins. Unfortunately, the motel no longer exists today, but fans of the movie can still appreciate its role in one of cinema’s most iconic comedies.