The ‘50s and ‘60s motels of America’s nostalgic road trip past are back in business. After extensive renovations, these dingey roadside inns have turned the page to modern motor lodges that’ll have you excitedly planning your end-of-summer or beginning-of-fall road trip. Read below to find out which stays to keep in mind along California’s Highway 1 to Arizona’s famed Route 66.
Cuyama Buckhorn (New Cuyama, CA)
| Key Points: • Website • 5 Stars • Rooms: 21 • Airport: Santa Ynez Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Free WiFi • Pet-friendly • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
An iconic Route 166 roadside stop since 1952, Cuyama Buckhorn is a revitalized lodge in the heart of California’s high desert. Its 21 guestrooms infuse midcentury modern and western design: rustic wood headboards, cowboy-theme trappings, and white-tiled walls decorate these naturally lit quarters. From the historic farm-to-table Buckhorn Restaurant & Bar to the glistening outdoor swimming lido and heated jacuzzi, this restyled motel is putting the Hidden Valley of Enchantment on the map.
Austin Motel (Austin, TX)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 41 • Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Free WiFi • Free parking • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Greeting guests with its preserved neon welcome sign and punchy-colored interiors, the Austin Motel is a 41-key stay that’s true to its motel past. Its playful wallpapers, bright red vinyl bed platforms, and funky kidney-shaped swimming pool epitomizes midcentury design at its finest. Guests should visit the eclectic souvenir shop for custom apparel, home decor, and unique trinkets before departing.
Farmhouse Paso Robles (Paso Robles, CA)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 26 • Airport: San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport | Amenities: • Pet-friendly • Free WiFi • Free parking • 0 Bars & Restaurants |
Originally established in 1947, this classic California motel boasts farmhouse-chic interiors within its 26 bright and airy cottages: lemon-patterned wallpapers, pale pink flower-shaped lanterns, and woven wood upholstery decorate this refashioned motor lodge. With a glass of complimentary lemonade in hand, guests can unwind by cozy fire pits amidst olive and citrus trees after a day of biking around downtown Paso Robles.
Bluebird Spa City Motor Lodge (Saratoga, NY)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 46 • Airport: Saratoga County Airport | Amenities: • Pet-friendly • Free WiFi • Free parking • 0 Bars & Restaurants |
Ideal for Hudson Valley road trippers, Bluebird Spa City Motor Lodge is a refurbished 42-key motel located in the thick of downtown Saratoga Springs. Its interiors are swathed in a monochrome color palette and punchy artwork, imbuing an artist’s studio in Upstate New York. Neighboring Saratoga Lake’s clear waters and ample beaches, this is the perfect inn to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Pacific Motel (Cayucos, CA)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 20 • Airport: San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport | Amenities: • Beachfront • Free WiFi • Free parking • 0 Bars & Restaurants |
A restored 1950s-style roadside inn that epitomizes California’s laidback vibes, the Pacific Motel displays 20 fashionable beachside bungalows with prime access to one of the Golden State’s most beloved beach towns. Coastal-inspired interiors feature whitewashed walls, driftwood floors, plus blue-and-white striped splendors. If guests are looking for a touch more than the tranquil waves at Cayucos State Beach, nearby attractions include Estero Bluffs and Montaña de Oro State Park as well as the fabled Hearst Castle.
Americana Motor Hotel (Flagstaff, AZ)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 89 • Airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Pet-friendly • Free parking • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Situated on the iconic Route 66 in Flagstaff, the newly renovated Americana Motor Lodge circa 1962 has made a triumphant return. Given its location in the world’s first Dark Sky City (a town that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky), the 89 guestrooms reflect a retro-futuristic design featuring geometric carpets and space-themed decor.
The Drifter Hotel (New Orleans, LA)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 20 • Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Free WiFi • Free parking • Bar • 0 Restaurants |
The Drifter Hotel presents a playful respite aside from the traditional New Orleans offerings. Midcentury individualism meets modern accents within the stay’s 20 guestrooms and common areas: mint-toned petal-valance umbrellas, bamboo lamp shades, and a restored neon red road sign adding an authentic touch to the former motel’s 1956 origins.
The Dive Motel (Nashville, TN)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 23 • Airport: Nashville International Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Free WiFi • Free parking • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Retaining its groovy ‘50s flare, The Dive Motel sports 23 wood-paneled rooms enveloped in bright-painted walls, shag carpets, and bespoke disco decor. Guests can activate their in-room disco balls and Dive Radio’s four channels — Sex, Drugs, Rock n’ Roll, and Sleep — with the “party switches” to prepare for dancing the night away at the retro Dive Bar.
The Pearl Hotel (San Diego, CA)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 23 • Airport: San Diego International Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Free WiFi • On-site parking • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Located in San Diego’s Point Loma area, The Pearl Hotel is a refreshed motel-turned-hotel blending midcentury style with contemporary amenities. In addition to its iconic retro sign fronting the street, the stay’s 23 guestrooms draw inspiration from the glamour of ‘60s Palm Springs and ‘70s Los Angeles: neutral-toned furnishings, rattan lighting fixtures, and minimalist ocean-influenced artworks decorate these cozy spaces. Plus, you will love the outdoor-centric in-house restaurant, Charles + Dinorah, and the centerpiece pool that’s perfect for San Diego summers.
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