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Mid-Century Modern Buildings: Hyatt Chalet Motels & Hyatt Lodges

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The Hyatt Chalet Motel name and design originated in 1960. A location in Medford, OR was built in 1961 and was the third in the chain. At the time, Hyatt planned to build around 200 other locations by 1966. I don't know how many were actually built but, in addition to the ones in California shown below, there were other locations in at least Las Vegas, NV, Elk Grove, IL and Amarillo, TX. It seems many of these became Hyatt Lodges around 1963 when that division was established. It seems the distinguishing feature between the two motel names was not the signs or the buildings. Lodges had their own restaurants but the Chalet Motels did not.

former Hyatt Chalet Motel
Palm Springs, CA
The former Hyatt Chalet Motel now houses the Desert Lodge. It was built around 1963. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

former Hyatt Chalet Motel
Fresno, CA
former Hyatt Chalet Motel
Modesto, CA
The former Hyatt Chalet Motel in Fresno now houses the Economy Inn. It was built in 1964. For more, see this website. [map]

The former Hyatt Chalet Motel in Modesto was built in 1964. It later housed a Knights Inn. The building now houses the Discovery Inn. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

former Hyatt Chalet Motel
Long Beach, CA
former Hyatt Lodge
Fullerton, CA
The former Hyatt Lodge in Long Beach has housed a Motel 6 since at least 2007. For more, see this website. [map]

The former Hyatt Lodge in Fullerton now houses the Willow Tree Lodge. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge [gone]
Phoenix, AZ
This former Hyatt Lodge in Phoenix opened in 1960. In later years, the building housed a Super 7 Motel. The building next door shown on the right above was an International House of Pancakes which opened at the same time. The IHOP building housed a Mexican restaurant until about 2002. The building was vacant when these photos were taken in 2004. Both the motel and restaurant buildings were demolished by 2011.

former Hyatt Lodge
Yuma, AZ
This former Hyatt Lodge in Yuma now houses the Torch Lite Lodge. The building and sign originally looked like this. I believe this location was built in 1963. When these photos were taken in 2017, the chasing bulbs around the shield-shaped sign still flashed at night. [map]

former Hyatt Chalet Motel
Albuquerque, NM
2012: 2017:
This Hyatt Chalet Motel appears to be from the 1960s. It later housed a Pan-Am Lodge. It has been an Econolodge since at least 2007. By 2014, the roof had been painted red. For more, see this website. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Oakland, CA
2008: 2014:
This former Hyatt Lodge now houses the Imperial Inn. The building was repainted sometime between 2008 and 2014. The roof was originally red. Plastic letters were stuck on the sign panels around 2019. [map]

former Super 7 Motel [gone]
Port Huron, MI
The Super 7 Motel was built in 1965 as a Hyatt Lodge. These photos are from 2011. In 2014, the name was changed to the Main Street Lodge and Suites. The building was repainted blue. By 2019, the building had been demolished. For more, see this website.

former Hyatt Lodge
Spokane, WA
2008: 2016:
This former Hyatt Lodge was known as the Tiki Lodge early on or maybe even initially. It was later known as the Select Inn and the Select Motel. It is now known as the Tiki Lodge again. The sign panels have been replaced. There was another Tiki Lodge that was apparently built by Hyatt in Salem, OR which is gone now. For more, see this website. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Flagstaff, AZ
former Hyatt Lodge
Thousand Oaks, CA
This former Hyatt Lodge now houses an America's Best Value Inn. I believe this location was built in 1963. [map]

This former Hyatt Lodge in Thousand Oaks last housed a Quality Inn & Suites. The property is currently surrounded by chain link fencing. It will be developed for homeless housing. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Pasadena, CA
2013: 2017:
This former Hyatt Lodge in Pasadena was built in 1961. The building housed the Swiss Lodge Motel when this photo was taken in 2013. By 2015, the name had become the La Casa Inn. This location was built in 1961. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Needles, CA
2014: 2022:
This former Hyatt Lodge in Needles housed a Knights Inn for many years. It now houses a Red Roof Inn. The motel was built in 1961. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Red Bluff, CA
This former Hyatt Lodge in Red Bluff housed the Riverbank Inn when these photos were taken in 2015. It now houses an Econolodge. The original sign structure is there but it has been altered. For more, see this website. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Redding, CA
This former Hyatt Lodge was built in 1965. It now houses the Shasta Lodge. [map]

former Hyatt Lodge
Eugene, OR
This former Hyatt Lodge now houses the University Inn. For more, see this website. [map]

More Hyatt Lodges:
King City, CA [gone?]
Belleville, IL [gone]
Portland, OR [gone]

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