Couple Transform Crumbling Abandoned Motel Into a Trendy ‘Micro Hotel’ That Now Rakes In $3K a Day

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Couple Turns Derelict Motel Into Thriving 'Micro Hotel' That Rakes In $3K a Night

The Rex Hotel

A couple have revealed how they turned a run-down motel in the Pocono Mountains into an elegant and lucrative “micro hotel” that now rakes in $3,000 a day.

Brian and Joanna Linton decided to ditch their city lifestyles in favor of embracing a more rural community. In 2020, they became unintentional real estate developers when they came across a crumbling motel just outside of Promised Land State Park in Greentown, PA.

Though most people would have looked at the property and perhaps envisioned a horror movie set—or the inspiration for a “Schitt’s Creek” spinoff —the couple saw its business potential and decided to buy it.

They paid $242,000 for the Tauschman Motel, vowing to transform the decrepit property and give it new life.

“In 2020 we left our city life for rural America, bought a rundown motel in the magical mountains of Promised Land and moved there with our kids to fix it up,” the couple shared on Instagram.

What followed was months of what Brian and Joanna describe as “beyond hard” work. Slowly and steadily, they transformed the neglected property into a thriving “micro hotel.”

It has—in their own words—”created life-changing income” for their family of five and provided the couple with a renewed sense of purpose.

Couple Turns Derelict Motel Into Thriving 'Micro Hotel' That Rakes In $3K a Night
Joanna and Brian Linton have revealed how they turned a run-down motel in the Pocono Mountains into an elegant and lucrative “micro hotel” that now rakes in $3,000 a day.

Instagram/FindingPromisedLand

Couple Turns Derelict Motel Into Thriving 'Micro Hotel' That Rakes In $3K a Night
In 2020, Brian and Joanna became unintentional real estate developers when they came across a crumbling motel just outside of Promised Land State Park in Greentown, PA.

The Rex Hotel

The motel was run-down and neglected when they purchased it.

Promised Land, YouTube

Couple Turns Derelict Motel Into Thriving 'Micro Hotel' That Rakes In $3K a Night
Today, the hotel looks unrecognizable—and has sparked a new sense of purpose and business path for the couple.

The Rex Hotel

Known now as The Rex, the property has become “one of the most beautiful and highly rated lodging establishments in the region,” while also “fundamentally changing” Brian and Joanna’s “lives and careers for the better.”

As it turns out, The Rex was the first of several profitable vacation properties that the duo amassed and transformed in the past four years.

Their concept is brilliant, but not all that complicated. What was surprising, however, was that they stumbled upon their renovation journey by accident.

“Buying an old motel was never in our life plan.” Brian wrote on Instagram. “But other than getting married and having kids, it’s the one thing that has fundamentally changed our lives and careers for the better.”

While sharing their renovation journey, the couple have also become accidental social media stars, amassing more than 345,000 followers on Instagram, where they share insights on how they transformed The Rex into the thriving business that it is today.

“Over the last several years, we’ve learned so much,” said Brian in a YouTube video. “It’s created life changing income for us, it’s entered us into the hospitality industry, it opened up so many doors, and it’s also given us a new sense of purpose.”

The journey begins

The original motel consisted of several cabins and a few buildings with motel rooms, which were situated around a large area full of dead grass and junk.

They transformed that center area into the pivotal point of the property, with grass, trees, picnic tables, and recreational facilities. It’s now an open courtyard in the forest where families can gather and enjoy the great outdoors.

When it came to renovating the guest accommodations, the plan was to go comfy, welcoming, elegant, and efficient.

“At The Rex we only have 10 units, and that might seem small, but there’s a lot of opportunity in small properties,” Brian explained. “There’s also a lot of opportunity in smaller units, but not too small.”

Their two-bedroom unit is “one of our best performing units,” he added, “because it has a full kitchen, it has a full bedroom or bunk room, and it also has a kingsize bedroom, so it’s great for families.”

The appliances are chic and retro, the countertops a woodsy butcher block. Subway tile lines the walls, and a nearby slider brings in plenty of natural light.

“Believe it or not, this is only 500 square feet,” he continued. “And the entirety entire property is under 7,000 square feet. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a huge opportunity and generate a lot of revenue.”

“One of the things about small properties is that they’re too small for bigger developer to get interested in, but they’re also too big for smaller developers that might be used to doing single-family Airbnbs.

“Do the math, and when 10 rooms average renting for $300 per night, it equals $3,000 per day. Couples and families coming to the Poconos from both New York and Pennsylvania to hike and enjoy nature are finding it irresistible. It’s fully booked more often than not.

“This really works for a lot of people because there is a disconnect in the market from large hotels and smaller Airbnbs that isn’t filled,” said Brian. “A smaller property with a great brand fills that niche.”

Couple Turns Derelict Motel Into Thriving 'Micro Hotel' That Rakes In $3K a Night
The Rex has become “one of the most beautiful and highly rated lodging establishments in the region,” while also “fundamentally changing” Brian and Joanna’s “lives and careers for the better.”

The Rex Hotel

Couple Turns Derelict Motel Into Thriving 'Micro Hotel' That Rakes In $3K a Night
The Lintons have more than 345,000 followers on Instagram, where they regularly share insights on how they transformed The Rex into the thriving business that it is today.

The Rex Hotel

This lush central area looked like a garbage dump when they bought the property.
This lush central area looked like a garbage dump when they bought the property.

Promised Land, YouTube

The decor and kitchen appliances are retro mountain chic.
The decor and kitchen appliances are retro mountain chic.

Promised Land, YouTube

No front desk? No problem

The beauty of this property is that it can be run almost remotely. No weary night clerks, no lengthy check-in.

When guests book online, they get automated emails and texts with property details. They also get a room access code, which is changed for each guest. If assistance is required, staff is a mere text or phone call away.


When guests check out, housecleaning is automatically notified to prepare the room for the next booking.

The rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and smart TVs, as well as bedside USB charging ports.

“All of these details go a long way, and make for a modern mountain experience,” said Brian. “That’s the vibe we wanted to go for.”

In addition to screaming internet, all rooms have fine linens, organic mattresses, Ruggable rugs, and designer toiletries. Rooms with kitchens have Smeg pod coffeemakers and water kettles, pots and pans, and microwaves.

The Corner Store is a small but mighty attraction.
The Corner Store is a small but mighty attraction.

Promised Land, YouTube

The little store is open only to guests and offers self-checkout.

Promised Land, YouTube

Merch like hoodies, t-shirts, mugs and caps are popular with the guests, and provide free advertising for the owners.
The branded merchandise they sell also provides the Lintons with free advertising.

Promised Land, YouTube

But wait, there’s more…

“One of my favorite parts of the property might be small, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Brian. “It’s our Corner Store.”

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It is a little room that was converted from a two-car garage. The Lintons divided the garage into two rooms: One is for laundry, with washers and dryers. The other is a charming store with snacks, beverages, and (what else?) branded merchandise, including hoodies, hats, mugs, and T-shirts.

“Those souvenirs are not only something that people want to take away when they stay at a place like this, but it also is a walking advertisement for us. When they go back home to their cities and towns, they can talk about the experience they had at The Rex.”

The Corner Store is open only to guests and offers self-checkout.

“The most profound part of running [The Rex],” said Brian, “is as long as you create an amazing experience where families and friends and couples want to come to, it doesn’t matter if you’re near a city or a National Park.

“You just have to create an experience that is noteworthy and memorable and that people want to talk about.”

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