You may be hard-pressed to find lodging as colorful as the Atomic Motel anywhere else in Astoria. The bright turquoise and pink on the building’s exterior are a nod to the motel’s quirky, retro theme, which is carried throughout the individual rooms of the motel as well. In the lobby, you’ll find bright orange egg chairs, an old-fashioned popcorn machine, a life-size cutout of singer and actor Dean Martin and other types of period decor.

Located on West Marine Drive with views of the Astoria Bridge, the motel was built in 1962 and originally called the Lamplighter Motel. It underwent renovations in 2016 to adopt its retro vibe and was then acquired by Frank Hotels in 2019.

For visitors to Astoria, one of the big draws of the Atomic Motel is the price tag. You can typically stay at the motel and enjoy thoroughly comfortable accommodations for less than $100 per night during the off-season or less than $200 per night during the tourism-heavy summer. Guests are even treated to a light continental breakfast featuring Finnish pastries — an acknowledgement of the area’s rich Scandinavian history.

Another perk is the motel’s location. Only minutes from downtown Astoria’s boutique shops and restaurants, you can also explore the iconic Astoria Riverwalk, where you can watch ships traversing the mouth of the Columbia River, listen for the sea lions or catch a ride on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley.