The Caravan Motor Hotel was an Arlington landmark for decades. Now, it’s been revitalized thanks to a local entrepreneur.
Houston’s Valencia Hotel Group and a local entrepreneur have teamed up to reinvent an iconic Arlington landmark: The Caravan Motor Hotel. The eclectic accommodations, located on Division Street, underwent a transformation after declining in popularity in recent years. Sam Mahrouq, who owns the property now, said he collaborated with investors to ensure that the original “DNA” of the 1960s motel remained intact, just with some modern updates, conveniences, and a little facelift. Now, it’ll be known as Caravan Court Hotel, a boutique structure featuring over 140 rooms, a rooftop bar, and a restaurant spearheaded by renowned chef Preston Nguyen.
Mahrouq said that he “wanted to celebrate Arlington,” with the construction of this new hotel. He added, “I came to Arlington when I was 18 years old, and I’m 58 now — Division Street has been good to me. And I really wanted to give back to the city.” That hope is carried by the city itself, which is hopeful that the hotel’s opening in June will lead to a revitalization of the North Collins and Division streets corridor. The Caravan Court Hotel won’t officially open until June 1 (right before the World Cup comes to town), but it will hold a soft opening on May 15.
The new hotel features nods to the previous lodgings
The Valencia Hotel Group and Sam Mahrouq made sure that the history of the Caravan Motor Hotel, as well as the city of Arlington, remained constant sources of inspiration for this new venture. Division Street was known as automobile alley, and the headboards used throughout the Caravan Court Hotel are made from burlwood, the same material once used to construct dashboards in vintage cars. Many of the light fixtures found throughout the property look like headlamps, and some of the furniture looks like car seats. Mahrouq also has a plan to refurbish the motel’s iconic roadside sign featuring three palm trees. It’s unclear as to whether that’ll be done prior to the opening or if that’s more of a long-term undertaking.
Regardless, Mahrouq and the hotel’s staff—including chef Preston Nguyen, a world-champion at the ripe age of 22—are looking forward to welcoming guests in a few months. Nguyen will be at the helm of The Vandy (named after former Mayor Tom Vandergriff), where he’ll be crafting items from an upscale American menu. In another retro nod, the courtyard space located near the lobby will double as a martini lounge. If that doesn’t transport you back to the 1960s, I don’t know what will.
For additional information, and to make reservations for the Caravan Court Hotel once it’s open, please click here.
