A Room at the Inn: 6 Shops with Upstairs Accommodations

There are two kinds of travelers in this world: the “I just need a bed” people and the “I want a story with my pillow”
people. If you’re reading this, congratulationsyou’re clearly in the second camp, holding out for a place where your
lodging comes with a little plot twist.

Enter one of America’s most underrated travel pleasures: staying upstairs from a shop. It’s the sweet spot between
a hotel and a small-town daydreamwhere you can grab coffee, browse local goods, and retreat to your room without ever
performing the ancient ritual of “finding your car keys.” And in many communities, these upstairs spaces are part of a
broader revival of Main Street upper floorsonce underused, now finding new life as apartments, guest rooms, and suites.

Why “sleeping above the shop” feels so charming

1) You get instant small-town immersion

Staying above a shop puts you in the rhythm of the place. You hear the morning startsoft footsteps, a door chime, the
gentle hum of someone opening up. It’s not loud “party next door” energy. It’s more like being backstage at a community
theater production called Tuesday in America.

2) Convenience without the “cookie-cutter” vibe

A lot of upstairs accommodations are in buildings with historysometimes rustic, sometimes quirky, often memorable. And
because you’re attached to a store, you usually have access to practical stuff: snacks, small essentials, local advice,
and the kind of “what should we do today?” recommendations that never show up in generic travel apps.

3) It’s walkable, cozy, and refreshingly human

The downstairs business tends to be run by people who actually know what’s around (and sometimes know your name by hour
two). You might not get a lobby fountain. But you’ll get real hospitalityand possibly the best locally-made jam you’ve
ever tasted.

6 U.S. shops where you can stay upstairs

Below are six real-life places where the “shop downstairs, sleep upstairs” concept isn’t just cuteit’s the point. Each
one offers a slightly different flavor of getaway, from mountain general stores to a village of handmade goods.

1) Lost Lake Resort’s General Store (Mt. Hood area, Oregon)

This is the Pacific Northwest version of a postcard that learned how to do laundry. At Lost Lake Resort, you can book
lodge rooms located above the General Store, which means your morning routine can be: step outside, breathe pine-scented air,
then wander downstairs for supplies like you’re the main character in a wholesome novel.

The setup is particularly great for travelers who want “simple and scenic” without going full tent-life. You’re right by
lake views, trails, and classic outdoor activities, but you still get a proper room to come back toideal for families,
couples, and anyone who wants nature without sleeping on something that inflates.

• Downstairs: A general store for essentials, snacks, and the “oops we forgot that” items.
• Upstairs: Guest rooms designed for a comfortable basecamp.
• Best for: Hikers, paddlers, and people who want a calm, screen-free reset.
• Pro tip: Because it’s seasonal, plan ahead and treat it like a “limited-edition” getaway.

2) Three Rivers Resort General Store (Almont, Colorado)

If your ideal vacation involves rivers, mountains, and the satisfying exhaustion of doing something outdoors on purpose,
put this on your list. Three Rivers Resort offers lodge rooms above the general store, turning the store into the ultimate
“support character” for your trip: coffee, last-minute gear, local intel, and a quick route back upstairs when you’re
done adventuring.

Almont sits in that beautiful Colorado zone where everything looks like it belongs on a craft beer labelin a good way.
Between rafting, fishing, hiking, and nearby towns like Gunnison and Crested Butte, you’ll have more than enough to do.
The upstairs rooms are a practical choice when you’d rather spend your days outside than in a fancy lobby.

• Downstairs: General store operations and trip support.
• Upstairs: Hotel-style rooms positioned for easy access to everything in town and on the river.
• Best for: Rafting weekends, fishing trips, and “let’s do everything” itineraries.
• Pro tip: Ask about early startsthis is the kind of place where mornings are productive.

3) Waterfall Resort Alaska’s General Store (near Ketchikan, Alaska)

Want a stay that feels like you time-traveled into an adventurous coastal chapter of American historyexcept with Wi-Fi
and a mini-fridge? Waterfall Resort Alaska offers lodge rooms on the second floor of the General Store. That means the
“shop downstairs” isn’t just a convenienceit’s part of the ecosystem, stocked with supplies and sundries for guests who
came to do Alaska properly.

This is a classic example of why upstairs accommodations work: the general store supports your day (and your cravings),
while your room gives you a warm, private spot to land after the big outside. The vibe is more “historic and purposeful”
than “fussy,” with that satisfying feeling that you’re staying somewhere with real roots.

• Downstairs: A general store geared to guests’ needs (and snack emergencies).
• Upstairs: Lodge rooms with practical amenities for a comfortable stay.
• Best for: Nature lovers, anglers, and travelers who want Alaska to feel like Alaska.
• Pro tip: Pack layers and embrace the “ocean or forest views” mindsetthis isn’t a trip for flimsy shoes.

4) Elk River Lodge & General Store (Elk River, Idaho)

Some places don’t need to shout. They just quietly deliver. Elk River Lodge & General Store is one of those spots,
offering rooms above a well-stocked general store. It’s a tidy, satisfying arrangement that makes a lot of sense in a small,
outdoorsy community: supplies below, rest above, nature all around.

This kind of stay is perfect if you’re looking for a base in the mountainssomewhere you can fuel up (literally and
figuratively), spend your day outside, then retreat upstairs. It’s also a good reminder that “lodging” doesn’t have to
mean “separate building, separate experience.” Here, the store and the stay are one connected, functional little world.

• Downstairs: General store conveniences (and the sort of practical services small towns do well).
• Upstairs: Guest rooms positioned for a simple, comfortable mountain trip.
• Best for: Fishing, hiking, unplugging, and travelers who like a no-nonsense home base.
• Pro tip: If you’re arriving late, confirm how check-in workssmall places often have smart, straightforward systems.

5) Gorda Springs Resort’s General Store (Big Sur, California)

Big Sur is famous for dramatic coastline and “pull over again, I need another photo” energy. Gorda Springs Resort is a
uniquely practical stop in that landscape: it’s a compact hub with lodging and a general store, the kind of place that
feels like it exists because the road demanded it.

One of the most charming (and very on-theme) details here is that some accommodations have been described as being
above the general store. That means you can treat the store porch like your front yard, then head upstairs when the ocean
breeze has convinced you it’s bedtime. This isn’t a polished luxury fantasyit’s a coastal, road-trip-friendly reality
that makes you feel like you’re staying inside the story of Highway 1.

• Downstairs: A general store and traveler essentials in a remote, scenic corridor.
• Upstairs: Simple lodging that keeps you close to the action (and the views).
• Best for: Road-trippers, sunrise chasers, and anyone who wants to wake up near the cliffs.
• Pro tip: Bring patience and flexibilityremote spots trade “perfect convenience” for “unforgettable location.”

6) The Inn & Suites at Kitchen Kettle Village (Intercourse, Pennsylvania)

If your travel dream is “wake up, walk five minutes, and be surrounded by food and handmade goods,” Kitchen Kettle
Village is basically a wish fulfillment machine. The Inn & Suites is designed as lodging woven into a walkable village
of shops and eateriesmeaning your accommodations are integrated into the same place you came to explore.

This is the “upstairs stay” concept scaled up: instead of one shop with a room above it, you get a whole village where
shopping and lodging share the same cozy ecosystem. It’s especially fun for weekend getaways because you can browse,
snack, relax, then repeatwithout ever feeling like you’re commuting to your own vacation.

• Downstairs (and all around): Shops, local goods, and a classic day of browsing at your doorstep.
• Upstairs (and throughout): Guest rooms and suites spread across the village experience.
• Best for: Couples’ weekends, friend trips, low-stress family travel, and shop-happy food lovers.
• Pro tip: Build in downtime. This is a “slow travel” winenjoy it like a stroll, not a sprint.

What to know before you book an upstairs stay

Stairs are commonbecause buildings are built that way

Many Main Street buildings were designed with ground-floor commerce and upper-floor living in mind. When those upper
floors are reusedwhether as apartments or guest roomsaccessibility requirements and building layouts often mean stairs
are the norm, especially in two-story buildings. If stairs are a concern, look for properties that clearly mention
step-free access or ground-level entry options.

Noise is usually “daytime life,” not “nightlife chaos”

The most common sounds are opening and closing hours, a door chime, and foot traffic. If you’re extremely noise-sensitive,
pack earplugs or choose a stay where the shop hours are limited and the vibe is quieter (mountain general stores tend to
be calmer than busy tourist corridors).

Parking and check-in can be delightfully simpleor adorably specific

Some places will have a straightforward “here’s your key” system, while others will feel like a scavenger hunt (in a
good way). Read policies carefully, especially for late arrivals, since small operations don’t always have 24/7 staff.

How to get the most out of it

• Plan your first stop downstairs: grab water, snacks, and whatever local specialty everyone recommends.
• Ask one good question: “If we only do one thing tomorrow, what should it be?” Then actually do it.
• Pack like a local: layers, a tote bag, and shoes you can slip on quickly for “just one more look” walks.
• Embrace the vibe: upstairs stays are about atmospheretreat it like a story, not a spreadsheet.

Extra: of “upstairs over the shop” moments

There’s a specific kind of peace that happens when you stay above a shop, and it starts the second you realize you don’t
have to “go anywhere” to be somewhere. You wake up and the world is already arranged for you: the day is downstairs, and
your little nest is upstairs, like you’ve been granted a temporary membership to the building.

Mornings are the best. Not because you magically become a morning person (let’s not get carried away), but because the
routine is gentle. You might hear the first door unlock. Maybe a soft clink as someone sets out a sign. If you crack the
window, you get a clue about the daya piney breeze in the mountains, salt air on the coast, or the quiet hum of a small
town that isn’t rushing to impress anyone.

Then comes the main event: going downstairs in slippers. This is not something most hotels encourage, but upstairs-shop
stays make it feel completely reasonable. You wander into the store and suddenly you’re in the middle of a practical
treasure hunt: local jam, a postcard you’ll forget to mail, trail snacks you’ll swear you needed, and maybe a tiny
souvenir that will later live on your shelf like a memory you can dust.

The best part is how the day flows. When you’re staying near outdoor adventureslike in a mountain town or by a lakeyou
can treat your room like an “intermission spot.” Come back mid-afternoon, drop your gear, and take a ten-minute break
that turns into a suspiciously luxurious nap. Then, when you’re ready, you go back downstairs and rejoin the world,
refreshed and slightly smug about how close your bed is to everything.

Evenings have their own charm. You might sit on a porch or a bench and watch travelers drift in and out, trading that
classic road-trip looksun-kissed, a little tired, happy to have found a place that exists exactly where it’s needed.
If it’s a village-style setup, you’ll stroll past shop windows as the day winds down, like you’re in a movie where the
plot is “relaxation” and the soundtrack is “friendly footsteps.”

And thenthis is the real magicyou go upstairs and feel like you’re in on a secret. You’re not just visiting a shop.
You’re inhabiting it for a night. You’re part of the building’s rhythm, the way people on old Main Streets used to live:
commerce below, life above, stories everywhere. You’ll sleep well not because the bedding is necessarily fancy (though it
might be), but because the whole experience is comforting in a deeply human way. It’s like your vacation quietly says,
“You’re safe here. Also, the snacks are downstairs.”

Conclusion

“A room at the inn” doesn’t have to mean a traditional inn at all. Sometimes it’s a lodge room above a general store, a
suite tucked into a village of shops, or a coastal stop where the store porch doubles as your front-row seat to the
scenery. What these places share is the same cozy superpower: they turn travel into something more connected, more
walkable, and more memorableone staircase at a time.