motel-inn timeline

By Lorena.Hernandez

  • Change Of Name

    The American Hotel Protective Association changes its name to the American Hotel Association (AHA) of the United States and Canada.

  • First Roadside Motel

    The first roadside "motel" opens in San Luis Obispo, California, for $2.50 a night.

  • First Listed On the New York Stock Exchange

    Sheraton is the first hotel corporation to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Travelodge becomes the first economy lodging corporation.

  • Coffee Concept

    Mid 1950s - Atlas Hotels develops the first in-room coffee concept.

  • First Holiday Inn

    Kemmons Wilson opens his first Holiday Inn in Memphis, Tenn., named after a Bing Crosby movie.

  • First Credit Card

    AHA buys the Universal Credit Card. The American Hotel Foundation, a subsidiary of AHA, is founded.

  • Wheelchair Accessibility

    1964 - Travelodge debuts wheelchair-accessible rooms

  • Billion Dollar Lodging

    Hilton becomes the first billion-dollar lodging and food service company and the first to enter the Las Vegas market. Cecil B. Day opens the first Days Inn on Tybee Island, Ga.

  • HBO Offered

    Two Florida hotels are the first to offer HBO in guestrooms.

  • first to offer reservations

    1983 - Westin is the first major hotel company to offer reservations and checkout using major credit cards. VingCard invents the optical electronic key card.

  • First Business-Class Rooms

    Radisson Hotels Worldwide is the first to introduce business-class rooms.

  • First Online Hotel Catalog

    First online hotel catalog debuts - TravelWeb.com. Promus and
    Hyatt Hotels are the first chains to establish a site on the Internet.

  • Best Westerns 50th Anniversary

    Best Western celebrates its 50th anniversary, making it the oldest continually operating brand.

  • $ goes up!

    The average daily rate (ADR) for a U.S. hotel room breaks the $100.00 mark. ADR reaches $103.87