With their splashy neon signs and retro vibes, motels have always embodied a distinctly Americana romance, symbolizing the adventure, freedom, and independence of the open road.
Despite their inherent nostalgia, motels are only just turning 100 this month, as the first “motor hotel” opened halfway between San Francisco and L.A. on December 12, 1925. The idea was born from the rise of car culture and the post-WWII industrial boom, created for a newly optimistic nation dreaming of progress and comfort.
Lately, they’ve been gaining newfound popularity. COVID-19 lockdowns are partly to thank for that: Road trips saw a resurgence during the pandemic as people eschewed flying for driving and tended to travel domestically. Simultaneously, trips to national parks and trends like stargazing caught on.
Their cheerful, pastel-hued mid-century designs and vintage aesthetics also speak to an increasing longing for simplicity and authenticity—motels remind us of a time when travel felt less polished and more spontaneous, filled with possibilities.
Today, motels around the country have undergone extensive renovations and modernizations, many of them becoming stylish and contemporary hotspots—here, find our pick of the 11 coolest motels in the country.
Austin Motel in Austin, Texas
The Austin Motel has certainly taken its hometown’s slogan, “Keep Austin Weird,” to heart—and in the best way possible. The 41-room hotel is loud, bright, and funky—and featured by the Michelin Guide as part of its collection of exceptional lodgings (no surprise that it’s part of the hip Bunkhouse Hotels group). Kitschy but charming, the rooms feature bright red vinyl beds, patterned red wallpaper, and old-school phones and radios, balanced by modern, minimalist furniture. The property’s centerpiece is the original kidney-shaped pool and its bar, as well as its distinctive neon sign, which has been beckoning weary travelers on South Congress since 1938. Additional incentives to visit include its tropical-themed bar, Rocky’s (try its signature shave ice); on-site Mexican-influenced diner Joann’s Fine Foods; and its stylish retail shop.
Skyview Los Alamos in Los Alamos, California
Located right off the 101 freeway but perched on a hilltop overlooking Los Alamos, Skyview Los Alamos is the stuff of California dreamin’. Spread across five scenic acres, the highlight of this 1959 motel-turned-wine-country-retreat is no doubt its working vineyard, which produces the crisp house rosé. There’s also a delicious on-site restaurant and bar serving up seasonal and locally sourced meals, a postcard-worthy 21-meter pool fringed by pink cacti and retro-chic striped loungers shaded by turquoise umbrellas, and 33 simple but stylish rooms, some with fireplaces, private patios, outdoor showers, or firepits. Rent a beach cruiser bike to explore the surrounding vineyards, or sip on signature tiki cocktails by the outdoor firepits. This property, too, is Michelin-recommended.
Silver Sands Motel Beach Bungalows in Greenport, New York
Silver Sands Motel Beach Bungalows on the North Fork of Long Island embodies laid-back luxury and describes itself as “deliberately un-Hamptons.” Its neon seahorse has welcomed guests to the waterfront property since 1957, and while its upscale amenities and modern conveniences are new, its vibes are as carefree and unplugged as ever. The focus is on enjoying its 1,400 feet of private beach; spa treatments, yoga, and Pilates at the new Salt Marsh Wellness Sanctuary; and sailing, fishing, and unwinding by the firepits. The pastel-colored dream oozes cheer with vibrant patterns and colorful accents across its 20 rooms and private bungalows. Its on-site eateries are destinations unto themselves, serving fresh seafood (including oysters from the property’s own 15-acre underwater farm), wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and cocktails.
The Dive Motel in Nashville, Tennessee
At The Dive Motel, it’s more about a good time than a restful one—not only is the pool an absolute scene, there’s an outdoor stage for live music, and every room comes with a Party Switch that activates a disco ball and Dive Radio. Allegedly, this place (which is 21+) was once a post-gig hotspot for musicians like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, and it leans into that legacy. Created by the folks behind Urban Cowboy Hotels, each of the 23 rooms is different, from one that looks like a log cabin to another covered in leopard print and red silk. The whole place gives Wes Anderson, with wood-paneled walls, fake fireplaces, hand-lettered signage, and quirky décor—much of it salvaged from the original 1965 motel, including its vintage vinyl wallpaper.
The Vagabond Hotel in Miami, Florida
On the National Register of Historic Places—and said to have been once frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin—this restored 1953 landmark is another Michelin-recommended haunt. While the hotel closed in the ’90s, it underwent a full refurb in 2012 that expertly preserved its distinctive MiMo (Miami Modern) design and slick ’50s vibes. The Vagabond Hotel’s 42 rooms, most of which overlook the iconic mermaid mosaic pool, have a Jetsons vibe with pops of aqua and pink, hand-stenciled geometric wall art, original terrazzo flooring, and custom-made mid-century modern-inspired furniture.
Hotel Lucine in Galveston, Texas
If lounging by the pool with a “World Famous Draft Margarita” doesn’t sound dreamy enough, you haven’t yet laid eyes on the pastel rainbow vision that is the boutique Hotel Lucine. Originally built in the 1960s as the Treasure Isle Motel, it’s been fully remodeled, but remains an oasis of cool at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. The funky tiled pool is lined with fringed yellow umbrellas and seafoam green lounge chairs, the 61 rooms have palm-pattern curtains and dopamine-inducing turquoise and pink accents, and there’s a rooftop bar with endless ocean views. Two restaurants—one for morning coffee and evening cocktails, another for seasonal “American fine-ish dining”—mean you never have to leave the premises.
The Longleaf Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina
Another modernized mid-century gem recommended by Michelin is The Longleaf Hotel, formerly a Days Inn and a Travelodge. Originally built in the ’60s, it reopened in its current form in 2020, smoothly straddling the line between vintage and modern. It still sports its iconic starshine breeze blocks (which were hidden behind stucco for years), as well as classic mid-century modern wood furniture, dim lighting, leather couches, and red velvet banquettes. Rooms are cozy but minimalist, with high-end touches like Kingsdown mattresses and Malin + Goetz bath products, plus shibori-dyed throw pillows and robes, custom art, and wallpaper designed by local artisans. Its chic cocktail lounge is beloved by visitors and locals alike, especially on Bingo night.
The Starlight Motor Inn in Charleston, South Carolina
Built in 1961 on the site of a Studebaker dealership, the Starlight Motor Inn’s building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. Rattan headboards, pink Zapotec design lumbar pillows, palm frond wallpaper in bathrooms, and pops of aqua (most notably the retro Frigidaire mini bar) make this feel more like a breezy beach bungalow than an urban motel. In stark contrast is the dark and moody bar where secrets are easily spilled over its classic cocktails. A buzzy pool and nightly live music and comedy make this a popular local hotspot.
The Ace Hotel Swim Club in Palm Springs, California
Cross Coachella with an adult summer camp, and you have The Ace Hotel Swim Club, which has year-round festival vibes thanks to poolside DJs and an ongoing lineup of musical events, as well as tarot readings and bingo and karaoke nights. A Howard Johnson hotel and a Denny’s back in the day, the scene-y spot attracts a hip crowd with its cool cocktail bar, Western-inspired diner, stargazing deck, fire pits, and organic spa. Inspired by the Sonoran desert surrounding it, the stylish rooms are elegantly boho, designed to mimic tents with canvas walls and tent flaps in lieu of curtains, but also featuring retro touches like record players, vintage magazines, and old steamer trunks.
Rhode’s Motor Lodge in Boone, North Carolina
Don Draper would feel right at home in Rhode’s Motor Lodge, which looks like an old-school bachelor pad thanks to its muted tones, sleek leather furniture, and elevated touches like a retro fireplace in the lobby. The Michelin-recommended spot is a revamped motel from the ’50s, and guests can still drive right up to their rooms, which are bright and comfortable with custom furnishings and local art. There are two patios with Blue Ridge Mountain views, outdoor firepits ringed by rocking chairs, and an on-site bar and restaurant serving elevated Southern comfort food like pimento cheese with fry bread and green tomato chow chow.
Mellow Moon Lodge in Del Norte, Colorado
Part Cowboy-core, part mystical, Mellow Moon Lodge is a female-owned boutique motel that’s entirely alluring. Once the El Rancho Motor Lodge in the 1940s and abandoned for 20 years, it now boasts 15 sleek rooms with Tuft Needle mattresses, Coyuchi organic linens, local art, and locally sourced and sustainable amenities. On-site, there’s the Rodeo Mercantile shop with local goods and provisions, and The Lunar Lounge for coffee and cocktails. Located in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley, it’s just steps from the Del Norte Trail System and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, 25 minutes from the Wolf Creek Ski Area, and less than an hour from Great Sand Dunes National Park.