A: motel? It sounds old (and musty), but it is Schitt’s Creek– the revival of style, the drive to restore mid-century motels has bubbled over the past five years, with hotel groups including Proper Hotels, Nomada Hotel Group and Lark Hotels responsible for injecting serious style into affordable prices. boutique accommodations. Revival makes sense, especially among midcentury architecture enthusiasts who can’t settle for period design (or afford their own Eichler home).
Although “motel” was first created By Arthur Heineman, owner of the Milestone Mo-Tell Inn in San Luis Obispo in 1925, the motel craze didn’t peak until about 1964, when some 60,000 lodgings appeared on the sides of American roads. Now, more than 60 years later, they’re being redefined. to bring together the benefits of a boogie boutique hotels (Japanese-influenced interior, luxury linensWith the affordability and structural advantages of motels. in-room parking, pet-friendly accommodations, the intimacy of just a few dozen rooms, and in most cases, a spectacular pool at the center of it all.
With motels dotted along Route 66 and many within just a few miles of the nation’s most expensive cities, it’s a more attractive time than ever to hit the road and check in. They’re worth a stay and a spot on your travel wish list :
Santa Barbara may be a tempting destination, but north of the so-called American Riviera lies a truly relaxing retreat with all the bells and whistles you’d expect, plus a little more. Skyview Los Alamos offers bird’s-eye views of Santa Ynez Valley wine country, and the motel makes the most of it with luxury suites complete with private decks, fire pits, and outdoor showers.There’s also an upscale restaurant on site serving chardonnay, pinot noir, and 300 Rhône-style varietals. from wineries.
The only clue that the 5-acre property sits on a working vineyard is also an iconic slice of Americana; The original MOTEL sign from the 1950’s rises high above lush wildflower gardens, comfortable poolside lounge chairs and heated towers. swimming pool (also a 1950s original).
For those traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles, locally owned Pacific Motel A delightful midway stop, the 50’s property is located about 10 minutes north of Morro Bay and offers recently renovated detached bungalows (with patios and Scandi fireplaces). No matter what room type you book, you’re guaranteed Cali coastal design and top-shelf amenities The property is also stocked with Linus beach cruisers: for a short drive to Cayucos State Beach, and local Spearhead Coffee is served in an artfully appointed lobby that looks more like your BFF’s kitchen (if yours also has the cutest tiled fireplace ever).
Perhaps the most well-known advantage may be The Salt Tigera newly opened bar tucked away in one of the rooms offering beer, wine, bites and the kind of quirky interior design that would make your most inspired Pinterest board look mainstream.
Like many motels on this list, June Malibu HotelA 13-room bungalow-style property dating back to 1947. But unlike most American roadside motels, this one is located on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, and boasts a star-studded legacy. when he wrote the 1975 landmark most of the album Traces of blood. Today, the motel has been reimagined as a luxury boutique hotel (now Proper hotels umbrella), but you’re just as likely to spot a famous musician on the spot. superproducer Rick Reuben (whose Shangri-La recording studio is nearby) often sends artists to stay at his West Malibu property between sessions.
Star energy aside, Hotel June Malibu has a lot to offer, including modern rooms with minimal design, Casper beds, Aesop bath products and vintage robes in trendy fabrics. But despite the modern glitz, you can still see the original roadside motel; black-and-white photographs taken by Wayne Wilcox (son of the inn’s original owners) hang in every room.
Formerly known as The Silver Saddle Motel, newly renovated Mystic Santa Fe A mid-century structure along Route 66, the motel swapped its cowboy influences for a modern one thanks to a palette of black, white, and sun-washed pink, along with a clever mix of Moroccan, Mexican, and Native American textiles.
Each of this pet-friendly stop’s 24 rooms comes with thoughtful touches (including complimentary breakfast), but the real draw is outside, where several lounge areas (including a cafe, on-stage seating) provide front-row views of the spectacular starry sky , which property hosts the calendar entertainment events including brunches with live music, queer nights and boombox nights where DJs play records on old-school radio.
Combining boutique hotel charm with resort amenities, this pet-friendly motel along Route 66 is retro in the way you want it to be (mixtapes and tapes in every room, a foosball table in the lobby’s living room, and outdoor movies) and not the way you want. It also boasts the kind of in-room amenities you’d find in luxury hotels and plenty of outdoor amenities. The pool, the largest in Northern Arizona, has been recently redesigned with an expansive Baja shelf (hello, water surfers) and heated walkways leading to the cottages. with showers) and a plunge pool full of customs. Pony Rider: Close-by robes and heated patio furniture ensure stepping out of the sauna and relaxing while gazing at the stars is just as comfortable as stepping in.
Without the 1940s “Ranch Motel” sign hanging outside this lush, 23-room property, it’s hard to imagine Ranch Motel & Leisure Club as a historic roadside inn. For starters, the rooms are minimally but artfully decorated with modern amenities (Le Labo products, Parachute linens, and Thuma beds), with only the original windows reminding them of their 20th-century roots.But it’s the expansive landscaped architecture that makes the property so much more to look like a fancy, members-only racquet club and garden rather than a decades-old garage.
What used to be a motel parking lot now includes a forest of elms that envelops pickleball playgrounds (one hour of free play per day for guests), a heated pool (where floating sound baths are sometimes offered) and plenty of flora-dotted nooks and crannies for rest and relaxation; The idea was to create the space in the spirit of neighboring 340-acre Brackenridge Park, and you’ll completely forget you’re in downtown San Antonio, that is, until you find the motel’s mezcal bar or pop into one of its many open-air windows, such as small-batch local clothing. Richter products and: Austin Winery.
It’s hard to tear yourself away from the beautiful pool deck (which makes enviable use of Nicaraguan cement tile in sun-bleached hues), lounge chairs and retro sunshades that serve as the energetic heart. Hotel Lucine. But the recently renovated 1960s motel offers a world of first-class experiences at its 61-room property along the Gulf of Mexico.For starters, the original pink and brown bathroom tiles juxtapose newer epoxy floors and natural textiles resort features elsewhere. a rooftop bar serving 180-degree ocean views; comfortable lounge and high-class dining room; and beach yoga, pilates, breakfast and live music.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn‘s first shingle was hung in 1935 as part of a 16-key lodge designed to accommodate visitors to the newly created Great Smoky Mountains National Park (now the nation’s most visited national park). But it wasn’t until 2024 that the humble motor home was repurposed, after a three-year renovation, as a luxury adults-only hotel, with each of its 36 rooms (complete with make-your-own-fishing-hook kits) offering tranquil balcony views of the Little Pigeon River.
Of course, it’s hard to beat Mother Nature, and with a backyard like the Smoky Mountains, the stunning opulence will feel cheap. Fortunately, the owners have used a discerning eye to create its luxurious setting using resort-like essentials (in-room soaking tubs, plush robes, and world-class restaurant and bar stocked with more than 100 bourbons) to offer a refined insight into Appalachian culture. The result is a gem of a property perched on that fabled Rocky Mountain high.
For some New Yorkers, Montauk is the perfect escape from the city (And for those New Yorkers, Daunty Albatross perfect motel, but a luxury destination.) But if you’re escaping the crowds and noise of Montauk, there’s Greenport, a quieter beach resort that offers upscale and updated accommodations. Audio appearance, Silver Sand Moteland what some like to call the ideal place to go when playing with old money, a Nicole Kidman-inspired character who lives by the sea (or any Nancy Meyers movie heroine); Hotel Moraine. Aesthetics are underrated, but very a lot with taste. This drips class, not cash.
Relaxed interiors in a palette of whites, creams, and blues offset the landscape, while amenities promote entertaining, in-room pillow menus for the best night’s sleep (you can request a sprinkling of lavender at your request), and balconies from every room that showcase uninterrupted views of Long Island Sound , and a path to the beach that feels ultra private (because the beach is private, too).
Site real money shot. Additional happy hours spent in the hotel’s Cottage Bluff common area.
The most relaxed way to capture the quintessential Cape Cod experience. A comfortable stay at this renovated beachside hideaway with 48 guest rooms and two suites. The style is well-heeled in New England (rooms boast whitewashed walls, natural fibers and a touch of paneling). while the overall design is designed for guests to relax.
It’s less than a block away Parkers River Beach and near oysters, shops, and lighthouses.
