Waterville was not a purpose built Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge/Restaurant complex. Although there are similarities to the classic Motor Lodge design like the vaulted ceiling in the top floor rooms, this was a part of the same group of motels that included Revere, Kenmore Square, Fenway and others. Some of them were branded as Quality Inns before conversion to Howard Johnson's.  In the early 1970s it was rare for existing motels to be converted into Howard Johnson's, and lengths were taken to make them seem HoJo-like.

Right: Not mentioned in HoJo's records, vintage newspaper advertisements indicate that Waterville featured an eatery called The Coach Restaurant. Although strikingly similar to Red Coach Grill in name and cuisine, there is no evidence that it was ever in the stable of Howard Johnson brands or concepts.