Vintage motels have made quite a trendy comeback in the United States. Their popularity stems from their historic character, unique atmosphere, quirkiness and a warm feeling of nostalgia and pleasant memories they evoke.
From the east coast to the west and in between, these motels reflect the history and personality of the town or region in the US, each property having its own story and style.
And let’s not forget the retro neon signs, themed rooms and beloved vintage decor that make them even more fascinating. These are just a sample of the features that draw today’s travellers.
Here are some iconic properties that will make your next road trip an even more unique travel experience, a reminder of the era when the journey itself was the destination.
Blue Swallow Motel
Perhaps the most famous restored vintage Route 66 motel, Blue Swallow is known for its original glowing blue-and-red neon sign featuring a flying swallow, separate garages for each room and 1940s charm. Located in Tucumcari, New Mexico, the motel was designed for motorists travelling the historic route.
Another memorable feature is the motel’s vintage slogan “100% Refrigerated Air”, an early term for air conditioning, a major luxury for travellers crossing the hot southwest.
Wigwam Motel
Holbrook, Arizona boasts one of the US’ most recognisable vintage motels. Built in 1950, the motel consists of 15 free-standing teepee-shaped rooms arranged around a central courtyard, along with a collection of classic automobiles from the 1950s and 1960s.
The Holbrook property is known as Wigwam Village #6. Only three villages remain out of the original seven – the others in Cave City, Kentucky and San Bernardino, California. Many details such as handmade hickory furniture and knotty pine accents have been preserved.
Austin Motel
Welcoming road trippers since 1938, this motel on buzzy, vibrant Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, embraces atomic-era decor and an original bright neon sign with a cheerful script and retro-styling.
One of the hotel’s signature features is its 1950s-style kidney shaped swimming pool surrounded by red-and-white striped umbrellas and retro lounge chairs.
The Dive Motel
The historic property is known for its disco balls, mood lighting and unapologetically retro decor reflecting a fun, irreverent side of 1970s Americana. The Nashville, Tennessee motel began as the Key Motel in 1956, catering to touring musicians and road trippers.
According to the venue, country stars Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams stayed here during its heyday. The motel’s kitschy feel includes shag carpeting, vintage wallpaper, mirrored surfaces and custom retro furniture.
Each guest room also includes a party switch, that when flipped, instantly transforms the room into a disco-dancing atmosphere.
The Madonna Inn
Located on California’s central coast, the 1950s roadside fantasy resort owned by Alex and Phyllis Madonna, opened in December 1958. No two guest rooms are alike in this fairytale castle meets motel, and includes whimsical, eclectic themes such as Caveman Room, Barbie Dreamhouse, Just Heaven, Jungle Rock, Safari Room Yahoo wild west room, and more.
The Madonna Inn’s everywhere pink colour became its signature identity, along with its famous signature dessert, the Pink Champagne Cake. It’s a rite of passage to say you’ve stayed here!
The Sunset Motel
Lovingly restored to its 1950s glory, The Sunset Motel in the mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina is a charming example of classic American roadside motel revival with an authentic motor-court design that includes a low-slung, one-story layout arranged around a courtyard.
The motel was built for the golden age of automobile travel – when families packed into station wagons, explored scenic highways, and stopped at independent motels along the journey. Part of its attractive appeal is that it still feels like a small-town roadside inn instead of today’s more standardised lodging.
The Thunderbird Inn
Often called the “hippiest hotel in Savannah”, the inn perfectly captures the spirit of the 1960s. Guests are treated to complimentary MoonPies and RC Cola – a nostalgic nod to classic Southern hospitality.
Located just west of Savannah’s Historic District in Georgia, the property combines classic motor-lodge nostalgia with the playful personality of a boutique hotel. Like many motels built in the 1960s, The Thunderbird Inn was built as a traditional roadside venue along the coastal highway.
Today, it maintains its time-capsule-flare with bright colours, playful decor, classic roadside architecture, vintage rooms and of course, a glowing neon sign welcoming travellers.
The Boots Court Motel
The beautifully restored 1939 motel in Carthage, Missouri is located at the intersection of historic Route 66 and Route 71, an important crossroads for travellers during the time when families explored the US by car.
Carefully preserved to capture the golden era of Americana road travel, the motel stands out for representing Streamline Moderne, a late Art Deco style inspired by speed, movement and the machine age.
One of the venue’s most famous promises was its original slogan “A radio in every room”. During restoration, the owners brought back this iconic detail with vintage-style radios playing period music.
The Shady Dell
Though not a classic “motel”, the Shady Dell transports guests to the 1950s with a unique lodging experience in Bisbee, Arizona. A venue of restored vintage trailers decorated with period-furnishings and appliances includes a 1949 Airstream and a 1950 Spartan Manor.
The retro-diner on site adds to the nostalgic appeal. The property began in 1927 as a trailer and camping court along Highway 80, one of the major cross-country routes before the interstate highway system changed American travel. Though the vintage trailer concept evolved later, The Shady Dell clearly represents historic nostalgia and Americana history.
Orbit In Hotel
That’s not a spelling error in the title, as the pure 1950s-time capsule is likely the most authentic mid-century motel experience you’ll find in kitschy, eclectic Palm Springs, California.
Vintage lovers are drawn to the boutique property for its atomic-age furniture and decor, original mid-century architecture, retro details and private desert hideaway ambience, reflecting the golden age of Palm Springs when the city was an escape for Hollywood celebrities.
Themed rooms include the Rat Pack Suite and Atomic Paradise, embracing the optimistic Space Age aesthetic. One of the motel’s charming traditions is the Orbitini cocktail hour, where guests gather by the pool for a 1950s-inspired cocktail party. – NOREEN KOMPANIK/TravelPulse/Tribune News Service
