Oakdell Motel

983 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford, CT 06385, Waterford, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 3.6 / 5

Overview

Oakdell Motel is a casual, 2-star roadside motel on a wooded property in Waterford, Connecticut (983 Hartford Turnpike). It’s positioned for quick access to coastal parks and major attractions in the Mystic–New London area. The motel has a public rating of 3.6 based on 101 reviews.

Rooms

Rooms are described as functional and include a minifridge, microwave, cable TV, and Wi‑Fi. Some upgraded rooms add more traditional, frilly furnishings. Reviewers also mention daily fresh towels.

Grounds & Outdoor Space

The property’s park-like grounds are a standout feature, with a brook, a gazebo, and multiple picnic areas. The wooded setting can appeal to guests who value a more outdoorsy, quieter-feeling property compared with a purely paved roadside stop.

Food & Basics

Amenities are not fully documented, but guest feedback mentions light morning offerings such as coffee and donuts. Beyond that, on-site services are not described in the available information.

Location & Nearby Attractions

Oakdell Motel sits within short driving distance of Connecticut College (about 4.7 km) and the Lyman Allyn Art Museum (about 5.0 km), plus the Submarine Force Library & Museum and USS Nautilus (about 6.1 km and 6.0 km). It’s also a practical base for day trips to Ocean Beach Park (about 10.2 km), Harkness Memorial State Park (about 10.4 km), Rocky Neck State Park (about 10.6 km), and major entertainment destinations like Mohegan Sun (about 12.8 km) and Foxwoods Resort Casino (about 19.1 km). Mystic attractions such as Mystic Seaport Museum and Mystic Aquarium are farther but still within driving range (about 16.6–17.4 km).

Best for

This motel is best suited to budget-minded travelers who want a simple base for exploring Waterford, New London, and nearby parks and attractions. It can work well for guests who appreciate practical in-room conveniences (microwave and minifridge) and outdoor space on-site (brook, gazebo, and picnic areas).

Travel tips

Plan to arrive with a car: nearby parks, museums, casinos, and Mystic attractions are easiest to reach by driving. If you’re building a local itinerary, group nearby stops like Connecticut College, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, the USS Nautilus, and the Submarine Force Library & Museum, which are all within roughly 5–7 km. For beach and state-park time, Ocean Beach Park, Harkness Memorial State Park, and Rocky Neck State Park are all around 10–11 km away.

What guests say

Guests frequently mention friendly staff and a convenient location for reaching parks, shopping, and area attractions. Value is a recurring theme, including affordability for group stays, and some reviews point to small practical touches like fresh towels and simple morning coffee/donuts. At the same time, at least one guest report raises serious concerns about cleanliness (including pests) and privacy/comfort, indicating experiences may be inconsistent. Overall impressions tilt toward a basic, low-cost stop with notable variability in guest satisfaction.

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