Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsThe Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant, nestled in a charming country town, offers a unique and convenient experience, especially for train enthusiasts. Its location near notable attractions like the Strasburg Railroad and the National Toy Train Museum, combined with serene farmland views and the nostalgic sound of train whistles, makes it a perfect base for exploring Amish Country.
The onsite Casey Jones Restaurant is frequently praised for delivering good meals at reasonable prices. Guests enjoy the experience of dining in vintage rail cars and both breakfast and dinner receive high marks for quality and service. The blueberry stuffed French toast is a standout dish and the outdoor deck provides a delightful setting for late-night beverages, though some diners experience longer wait times due to high demand.
Accommodations at the Red Caboose Motel are creatively arranged repurposed train cabooses, described as clean, comfortable and charming. The snug but pleasantly arranged rooms offer an exciting stay for families and train enthusiasts with additional attractions like a petting zoo, kiddie rides, playground and buggy rides enhancing the experience. Guests appreciate the quiet, serene atmosphere and thoughtful touches like porch rockers for enjoying the view.
Cleanliness is a strong point with most guests finding both the rooms and grounds well-maintained. Despite some minor issues with specific rooms, the overall standard of cleanliness remains high. The staff evidently plays a vital role in the positive experience, consistently praised for their friendliness, helpfulness and professional demeanor, significantly contributing to the welcoming environment.
While the novelty and charm of sleeping in a train car are widely enjoyed, the beds receive mixed reviews. Some guests find them comfortable, but others note the need for updated mattresses for improved comfort.
In summary, the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant offers a memorable and enjoyable stay, filled with unique experiences, great food and exceptional service, making it a top choice for families, train lovers and those seeking a quaint, picturesque getaway. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Motel with EV Charging Stations
This unique motel offers an electric vehicle charging station. Guests can utilize the external outlets provided for free EV charging, making it a convenient option for an overnight stay.
Motel with Parking
EV charging stations
Room Types
Baggage CarThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Couples CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Double Double CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Honeymoon CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Large Family CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Mail CarThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Medium Family CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Queen CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Small Family CabooseThis rail car room includes a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. A private bathroom is provided.
Farmhouse Large SuiteThis farmhouse suite offers 2 TVs and a private bathroom.
Farmhouse Small SuiteThis farmhouse suite offers 2 TVs and a private bathroom.
Farmhouse Efficiency Suite - FrontThis farmhouse suite offers a TV and a private bathroom. A kitchenette including range, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker is provided.
Farmhouse Efficiency Suite - RearBoasting a private entrance, this air-conditioned suite features a kitchenette, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The fully equipped kitchenette features a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. This suite has a coffee machine, a carpeted floor, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a terrace. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Location
Nestled in a charming, picturesque country town, the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant offers an exceptionally convenient and unique stay, particularly appealing to train enthusiasts. Situated near the Strasburg Railroad, the National Toy Train Museum and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the location is nothing short of perfect for those looking to explore the rich heritage of Amish Country. Guests appreciate being able to hear the nostalgic sound of train whistles and enjoy the serene, scenic views of surrounding farmlands.
The Casey Jones Restaurant on the property not only provides a convenient dining option but also receives high marks for its good meals and great prices, catering well to both old and young. The accommodations, while uniquely small as they are repurposed cabooses, are cleverly arranged to optimize space and maintain cleanliness, making for a comfortable stay.
Visitors highlight the friendly and helpful staff who contribute significantly to the welcoming atmosphere of the location. The motel’s geographical placement makes it easy to access various shops, restaurants and tourist attractions, all within a short drive. The site's originality and the rural beauty of the Amish community surroundings further enhance the overall experience, making it particularly enjoyable for families with kids and those in the area for events. The Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant is described as an excellent, fun and interesting place to stay, promising a memorable adventure in a serene and historical setting.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant receives highly favorable feedback from guests. Many highlight the delicious food and commend the exceptional service, noting its quickness and friendliness. The blueberry stuffed French toast, in particular, stands out as a must-try item, drawing high praise. Guests appreciate the convenience of dining at the on-site Casey Jones Restaurant, which also serves up meals at reasonable prices and with generous portions. The restaurant's ability to accommodate large groups impresses visitors, who also enjoy the unique setting of dining in vintage rail cars. While most reviews are positive, a few suggest the need for priority seating for hotel guests. Overall, the breakfast is considered outstanding, making it a strong point of the stay at the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant.
Dinner
The dining experience at the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant is often praised by guests for its delicious and well-prepared food. Many have enjoyed their meals, describing the food as excellent and delicious with a great selection on the menu. The setting of the restaurant, which is styled as a dining car, adds a unique and enjoyable element to the dining experience.
The service provided by the staff is frequently highlighted as a positive aspect with friendly servers contributing to a pleasant dining atmosphere. Quick service also seems to be a noted quality, although occasional issues with food preparation, such as overcooked or undercooked dishes, were mentioned.
Despite the generally high praise for the food and service, some guests found the prices to be on the higher side, especially considering the quality of the meals. Additionally, the restaurant can be quite crowded, indicating its popularity but also suggesting potential wait times.
An enjoyable feature for many is the outdoor deck, which offers a relaxed setting for a late-night beverage. Overall, the restaurant is seen as a valuable onsite facility, enhancing the overall stay with its great food, friendly service and distinctive ambiance.
Rooms
The Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant offers a unique experience by letting guests sleep in authentic train cabooses, which many find super cute, charming and creatively organized. These rooms are generally described as clean and comfortable, providing everything needed for a pleasant one-night stay. The accommodations, though snug, are often appreciated for their novelty and spaciousness.
Guests have highlighted the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, often noting that the beds provided a good night’s sleep, which is a rarity in many hotels. However, some beds and mattresses have been described as needing upgrades for better comfort. The petting zoo, kiddie rides, gift shop, playground and buggy rides are a hit with children and families, enhancing the overall experience.
The property’s quaint layout, quiet atmosphere and added touches like rockers on the porch with a good view of the train contribute positively to the experience. While some rooms and amenities could use updating and some have noted issues like cold floors or rotting sections, the overall sentiment reflects a fun and unique stay with a nostalgic charm that's perfect for families and train enthusiasts alike.
Beds
When it comes to bedding at the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant, guest experiences are quite mixed. Several guests found the beds to be comfortable, highlighting that they woke up without pain, which is not usually the case for them in other hotels. The firm bed mattresses received positive remarks and many appreciated the novelty of sleeping in a train, especially the kids.
However, the comfort of the beds was not universally praised. A significant number of guests mentioned that the beds were uncomfortable with comments about them being either too soft or too firm. Some pointed out that the mattresses seemed due for replacement and noted issues with pillows as well. Specific complaints included small and rough beds as well as those that were loud and squeaky. Additionally, the mattresses on bunk beds were unsuitable for individuals over 100lbs.
In summary, while some guests enjoyed the unique experience and found the beds satisfactory, others felt that the bedding could use an upgrade to enhance comfort for all visitors.
Cleanliness
The Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant offers an experience that most guests find refreshingly clean and enjoyable. Many reviewers noted that the grounds are well-maintained and the rooms consistently receive praise for being spotless and tidy at a high level. Complimentary features such as refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms add convenience to the stay.
The accommodations are described as very clean, comfortable and quiet, offering restful nights on firm mattresses. The restaurant on-site also garners high marks for cleanliness as well as excellent food, making it a popular choice for dining during guests' stays.
Families particularly appreciate the variety of activities available on the property and the unique experience of sleeping in a train car is a hit, especially with children. Guests find the entire property very quiet despite the number of visitors, which enhances the overall experience.
However, a few reviewers did note some inconsistencies in the cleanliness of the rooms, such as dusty baseboards, curtains and occasional mildew smells, which suggests that while generally good, there could be more attention to detail in certain areas. Despite these occasional lapses, the overall impression is one of a clean, unique and comfortable stay with friendly and attentive staff.
Staff
The Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant is renowned for its exceptional staff, who significantly enhance the overall guest experience. The team consistently receives praise for being friendly, enthusiastic and professional from the moment of check-in. Their friendliness extends beyond mere greetings, as they make efforts to engage in conversations and offer helpful directions to local attractions, creating a family-like atmosphere.
Guests have noted the helpfulness and accommodating nature of the staff, particularly appreciating their attentiveness and willingness to assist with any questions. This friendly demeanor seems to be a consistent trait among all employees, from front desk staff to those in various service roles. Despite being busy, the front office staff remain approachable and effective in providing support. This level of care contributes to an enjoyable stay, making visits memorable, especially for guests traveling with children.
While one or two areas, such as restaurant service, might have room for improvement, the overwhelming sentiment highlights the staff's positive impact. The courteous and supportive behavior of the team undoubtedly plays a crucial role in making the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant a favored choice for many travelers.
No, Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant.
No, Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant.
No, Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant doesn't have a gym.