An iconic mid-century motel from the '60s is re-opening in Arlington: Caravan Court, a hotel that first opened as a classic motor court in 1961, will come back to life following an upscale, modern reinvention inspired by 1960s art, architecture, and automotive design.
According to a release, the hotel will open at 205 N. Collins St., on the same site of the original Caravan Motel, on June 1. It's debuting in the city's Entertainment District just in time to welcome fans of FIFA World Cup, taking place at nearby AT&T Stadium from June 14-July 14; reservations are now available.
Developed in partnership with Division Hotel Management, the Caravan is part of the Valencia Hotel Collection, the Houston-based boutique hotel company whose portfolio includes the similarly-thoughtful Texican Court in Irving.
Caravan Court will open with 143 rooms and three food & beverage entities, including The Vandy, a restaurant named for former Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff; plus a martini bar and a rooftop lounge.
Retro style
The design approach blends the charm of a bygone era with 21st-century luxury — including retaining historical features while making additions that feel period-appropriate.
A key piece is their preservation of the iconic Caravan Motor Hotel sign, whose distinctive tiki-inspired design — with palm trees and the word "caravan" rendered in a font that looks like it's been carved — has earned status as a beloved local landmark over the years.
The rooms feature retro-inspired SMEG refrigerators and Nespresso machines, alongside 50-inch Smart TVs and wireless charging pads.
Caravan Court Hotel roomCourtesy rendering
Other stylish accommodations include:
- 143 rooms, which includes 7 King Suites, 48 Double Queens, and 88 Kings
- Resort-style pool with four cabanas
- 24-Hour fitness center
- outdoor seating with firepits
- 2,532-square-foot turf courtyard with lounge seating
- coffee bar window
There are also three ballrooms, ranging from 1,213 square feet to 3,633 square feet — perfect for that tiki-style wedding.
Food & beverage
The in-house eateries will comprise a main restaurant, plus martini bar and rooftop lounge overlooking downtown Arlington and the Entertainment District, as follows:
- The Vandy: Named for visionary former Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, The Vandy is the hotel's main restaurant, serving Americana classics in a space that captures the spirit of the mid-century era.
- Elora Sky Club: Sophisticated rooftop lounge will serve craft cocktails, tapas-style bites, and views of the Arlington skyline and the surrounding Entertainment District.
- Caravan Swim Club: Seasonal, resort-style poolside experience features private cabanas, bar, and eatery.
- Idle Hour Social Club: A versatile day-to-night hub, serving coffee in the morning and martinis at night.
History
As a release notes, a key part of the hotel's backstory is its celebration of the Bankhead Highway, founded 1916 as one of America’s first coast-to-coast automobile routes, connecting Washington, D.C. to San Diego.
In Arlington, the Bankhead Highway evolved into Division Street, with auto-oriented businesses including gas stations, diners, dealerships, and roadside lodging.
Iconic sign at iconic Caravan Motor Hotel. jasonssullivan.com
Caravan Motor Hotel opened in 1961 as a classic mid-century motor-court style with drive-up convenience, pool, and modern amenities — part of a renaissance led by Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who was elected in 1951 and oversaw a 26-year tenure focused on growth, infrastructure, and economic development.
That included attracting the General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant; helping transition Arlington State College into the University of Texas at Arlington; and drawing attractions such as Six Flags Over Texas, which opened in 1961, the same year as the Caravan.
Alas, when major highways came along in the '70s and '80s, motor courts along the Bankhead Highway, including the Caravan, closed.
In 2024, as part of a program of preservation and adaptive reuse, the City of Arlington, in a partnership with local developers and the Valencia Hotel Group, initiated its plan to redevelop and reopen the historic Caravan Motel, positioning it as a catalyst for Division Street revitalization, bridging downtown Arlington and the Entertainment District.
