Originally opened in 1965 as a motor lodge in Mystic, Conn., the 59-room Commodore Motel is set to open this spring following a total transformation.
The redevelopment is being led by local owner/operator Cannonball Management, in collaboration with designer Cate Mills of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Ellison Mills Studio and architect Mark Comeau of Mystic, Conn.-based MCA Architect. Together, the team aimed to craft a boutique hotel concept that blends early modernist influences with subtle nautical references. The Commodore Motel is located minutes from area attractions, such as the Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, Old Mystic Village, downtown Mystic and nearby beaches.
“With the Commodore, we wanted to create something that feels distinctly Mystic, capturing its authentic spirit and maritime charm,” Bill Middleton, owner of The Commodore Motel, said in a statement. “By restoring the original motor lodge, we were able to preserve a piece of the destination’s character while reimagining it for modern travelers. Every detail, from the materials and simplified design to the coastal touches and purposeful sustainable systems, reflects our goal to build something welcoming, responsible and functional.”
Upon arrival, guests enter a lobby defined by burgundy epoxy-concrete floors, warm wood textures and soft natural light. A central bar and lounge is designed to anchor the space and opens directly onto the pool terrace through glass doors. Outside, the terrace serves as a social hub with a seasonal heated pool, hot tub, poolside bar, fire tables, lounge seating and outdoor games.
Guestrooms are designed to reflect a blend of early modernist design and maritime inspiration with curved, stateroom-style ceilings and ship-inspired lighting. Materials such as oak, stainless steel and cork flooring are designed to lend a sense of utilitarian elegance. Each room centers around a custom oak bed frame with a pale green wood headboard, framed by a circular opening that offers a glimpse into the bathroom. A color palette of cobalt, bright red, soft white, pale green, powder blue and burgundy completes the retro-coastal aesthetic.
Sustainability was a major focus of the renovation as hotel management opted to restore the existing building, which significantly reduced the project’s carbon footprint, according to the company. The property features a rooftop solar array and a high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system that provides heating, cooling and hot water with zero carbon emissions. Additional environmentally minded amenities include chilled filtered water taps, complimentary reusable water bottles in every guestroom and on-site EV charging stations.