The Asian American Hotel Owners Association recently posted a feature about Kumar Patel, the operator of the historic Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California. Most stories focus on the motel, which was built along Route 66 in 1949 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. But this one focuses more about Patel himself. … Continue reading A profile of the Wigwam Motel’s Kumar Patel
Tag: Wigwam Motel
Wigwam Motel owner: Route 66 needs a younger, more diverse crowd
The Los Angeles Times this week posted an interesting feature about Wigwam Motel operator Kumar Patel, who is trying to attract a younger and more diverse group of customers to ensure Route 66's survival. Route 66's future demographic problems are self-evident: about 97 percent of its travelers are white, with a median age of 55. … Continue reading Wigwam Motel owner: Route 66 needs a younger, more diverse crowd
A chat with Kumar Patel at the Wigwam Motel
The Genuine Route 66 Life series points the camera at Kumar Patel, whose family bought the historic Wigwam Motel of San Bernardino, California. https://youtu.be/agYR4mqizh4 The Patels have owned the Wigwam for about 10 years, and have received several awards for the restoration of the property. Before then, the Wigwam had declined into a seedy place … Continue reading A chat with Kumar Patel at the Wigwam Motel
Wigwam Motel gets decked out for Christmas
For the first time Sunday, the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, Calif., was decorated for Christmas -- thanks partly to the efforts of kitsch aficionado Charles Phoenix. Motorists on Route 66 in the Inland Empire got their first look Sunday evening at one of the motel's decorated concrete wigwams during the so-called Wig Wam Holiday Lighting … Continue reading Wigwam Motel gets decked out for Christmas