Rittenhouse Motor Lodge

Sadly, Bob Rittenhouse, the owner operator of this motel with his name died leaving the lodge’s future in question. Mr Rittenhouse made his travelers feel at home and part of the family. It was always a highlight of trips to the shore to visit family to stay at the Rittenhouse. even though more modern options are available, staying at the Rittenhouse brought back the nostalgia of staying in road side motels without the fear of a dirty room or noisy guests. Bob ran a tight ship. It was his home and his attention to detail and high standard are hard to find in a small operator of an old place.
He will be missed. Hopefully someone can continue his legacy and keep the Rittenhouse open and greeting tired travelers for the next generation. If so then you will love the large clean rooms sitting amongst a botanical wonderland of lush and mature trees and bushes many of which were planted and all nurtured by Mr Rittenhouse himself.

We have been vacationing annually inn OBX for the past 5 years and have made the Rittenhouse Motor Lodge a stop. Mr Rittenhouse is a wonderful host. You feel as if you just stopped by to meet with an old friend. The rooms are huge and a bit dated, but all of it lends to the charm. This is Americana at its best.

We absolutely loved this place. Built in 1952, it’s set back from US 13 in a large grove of pine trees, azaleas, and ferns. The same owner has kept the exterior as well as the interior true to the 1950s, which gives it a great nostalgic Eastern Shore feel. The rooms are large, comfortable, very quiet, and in a nod to modernity have WiFi. Bob Rittenhouse, the owner, was extremely friendly and accommodating.
The Motor Lodge is minutes from quaint Cape Charles and some really great local seafood restaurants. It’s also just seven miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and is right on US 13 (although you can’t hear any traffic noises). This all makes it a great place to overnight for those headed further south to the Virginia Beach area, Colonial Williamsburg, or the Outer Banks from DC, Baltimore, or Philly.

Owner-​Manager Bob Rittenhouse has made what might have been an ordinary old-​style motel into a little paradise. The motel sits in a large landscaped area with little nooks of fern and azaelea gardens to walk or sit in. We opted for one of the larger rooms in the rear. It was HUGE, had a large flat-​screen TV, comfortable beds, was very private, and very clean. There were windows on both sides of the room, as well as one in the bathroom. I love this place. There is no breakfast, but I usually don’t eat that nasty glop at the chain hotels anyway.