Every getaway or vacation begins with a critical decision - where to stay.  A recent trip to Erie was no exception.

My wife and I  have traveled to many places and stayed in just about every conceivable type of motel - hotel - B&B accommodation.  We even did "hard time" sleeping in a truck camper.  Erie, Pennsylvania, has lodging options and believe me they have at least one or more of each type and style.  

The evolution of accommodations industry can be seen when you get close to Presque Isle State Park, or race along the interstate highway that intersects the county and city.   You will notice "Mom and Pop" motels that were the mainstay of the area for years, the downtown hotels for business traveler, and a few early camping experiences too. 

Over time, tourist homes became themed B&B, some Mom and Pop motels survived, but many motels got bigger and took on a corporate character as strip mall development concentrated lodging and food service into a snarling tangle of activity adjacent to the Interstates.

So if you are at home considering a trip to Erie, searching the Internet and agonizing over the decision, let me give you some advice and share information about our recent getaway.

From my perspective, Erie has two seasons - summer and fishing!  June through Labor Day is the standard travel season or "summer."  Fishing season on the other hand, is less about dates and more about the Steelhead, Walleye, Perch and Smallmouth Bass.  In fact, you could say our "fishy friends" are part of the Erie's tourism market 365 days per year.

Fact: Lodging rates increase as the days grow longer and decrease as the days grow shorter.  So the savy traveler looks for a balance of service, price, and location.

On our last trip, we stayed at The Green Roof Inn located just off of I-90 at Girard, PA.

Never heard of it ?  Only like chain motels near the strip malls?  Read on and take a minute to see what we did and you may just bookmark this site for future reference.

We are 30-minutes from the center of Erie.  

I can enter Presque Isle State Park after a 15-minute drive - did it several times this trip.

If you like to fish for Steelhead on Elk Creek,  Legion Hole is a five minute drive.  The Elk Creek Boat Launch is a 10-minute drive.  Anglers like the boot hangers in front of the room, the fish cleaning station, the free parking for boat and trailers between trips [stay- leave the boat - come back - stay, the boat is waiting]. 

The Green Roof Inn rooms are spacious.  See for yourself .  Just watch the videos.  They are all top quality.

 Regular Double:                      

 Handicap Double:                    

 Kitchenettes:                            

Now I ask you, are they really nice rooms or what?  The kitchenette room works out well for preparing meals at the motel, but you do need to bring the cook.  I did, check it out.

The Green Roof Inn has a covered walkway in front of the rooms, and  I saw several travelers sitting outside their rooms on comfortable chairs so I stopped to chat.  Gabe and Nancy were smiling, satisfied and willing to talk.

Happy traveler avoid the "strip mall nightmare."  When you are looking for service, value and location, don't get trapped into thinking location is the key.  It is not.  The time you spend at The Green Roof Inn will be an enjoyable part of your trip. I can tell you from personal experience, my wife and I like clean, GREEN and comfortable.

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