MOTEL AMERICANA

Jul 16

There is something undeniably nostalgic and romantic about pulling off the open highway into a classic roadside motel. These aren’t just pit stops. They are cultural touchstones, nostalgic gems that harken back to the golden age of American travel. With neon signs blazing and vintage charm intact, these motels have undergone thoughtful restorations to meet the tastes of today’s travelers without losing their soul. From desert hideaways to urban oases, here are 12 must-visit motor lodges that celebrate the enduring allure of the open road.

The American Road Trip Legacy

The American road trip is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the United States. A symbol of freedom, exploration, and the open road. Its roots trace back to the 1910s and 1920s, when the rise of the automobile made long-distance travel accessible to the middle class. The creation of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, including legendary routes like Route 66, catalyzed a new kind of adventure: families packed into Fords, dodged dust storms, and sought the promise of discovery across vast and varied landscapes.

To accommodate a wave of new automobile travelers, motor courts, auto camps, and eventually motels sprang up across highways and state routes. These independently owned stops offered convenient car-to-door lodging, often with colorful neon signs, quirky architecture, and themes inspired by their regions (a surefire way to get attention at 60 mph). The 1940s and 1950s marked the golden age of the roadside motel, with innovations like drive-up check-in, attached diners, and swimming pools transforming the experience from necessity to delight.

As interstates expanded in the 1960s, many of these motels were bypassed, fading into obscurity or falling into disrepair. But in recent decades, a nostalgic renaissance has breathed new life into these architectural relics. Thanks to passionate hoteliers and designers, vintage motels are being lovingly restored, balancing modern amenities with retro charm, serving a new generation of travelers craving character, community, and connections to the past.

The Motel Americana Bucket List

Wigwam Motel

Holbrook, Arizona

Built in 1950 by Chester E. Lewis, this charming “Wigwam Village #6” carries on a unique tradition that began in the 1930s when Frank Redford patented the iconic teepee-style motel design. Lewis purchased the rights, agreeing to split royalties via his coin-operated radios, which remain one of the most creative deals in roadside architecture history. This iconic gem closed in 1974 after Interstate 40 bypassed the location, but it was lovingly restored and reopened in 1988 by the Lewis family and remains family-run.

Why Visit: Staying here is like stepping into a living Route 66 postcard complete with cement wigwams, vintage hickory furniture, and even a small on-site museum showcasing local Route 66 memorabilia and petrified wood. It lies minutes from attractions like Petrified Forest National Park and Meteor Crater, making it an adventurous and memorable basecamp.

Fun Fact: This motel inspired Pixar’s “Cozy Cone Motel” in the movie Cars, and sits among the three remaining Wigwam Villages, including one in Kentucky and California (all listed on the National Register of Historic Places).

Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa

Calistoga, California

Originally the 1940s Sunburst Motel, this property was reinvented in 2017 as the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, a boutique lodge celebrating Napa’s road-trip culture. Now it feature 50 rooms and suites, including camper-inspired designs ala vintage trailers.

Why Visit: Guests can relax in three geothermal pools fed by nearby hot springs, indulge in innovative spa treatments (like DIY mud bakes and Himalayan salt-stone massages), and enjoy lawn games, bikes, and alfresco cinema nights. It blends wine-country sophistication with laid-back roadside charm, ideal for couples and families alike.

Fun Fact: The property cleverly offers camper-style “banquette” seating, Polaroid cameras in rooms, and organizes seasonal events like spa happy hours and fitness festivals complete with hot-spring geothermal magic.

Hotel Valley Ho

Scottsdale, Arizona

Opened in 1956, Hotel Valley Ho was designed by acclaimed architect Edward L. Varney as one of Scottsdale’s first motor resorts, blending sleek mid-century modern design with Southwestern flair. It became a celebrity hotspot frequented by Hollywood elite, including Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, and others. Following an era of decline and 2005 renovation by Allen+Philip, it emerged restored to its original glory with modern comfort.

Why Visit: Today it offers 241 rooms and suites, a lively pool scene, the signature ZuZu restaurant, and a curated mid-century aesthetic that draws design lovers and history buffs alike. You can even book an architecture tour to explore Varney’s iconic lobby, guest wings, and rooftop views reflecting its retro-futuristic roots.

Fun Fact: The hotel’s name was chosen via a contest to evoke “westward” flair and the “Ho” ties it to its sister property in Downtown Phoenix, Westward Ho. It is said to mean “you are welcome here” in a local indigenous language.

Cuyama Buckhorn

New Cuyama, California

Originally opened in 1952 to house oil workers and weary travelers on Highway 166, Cuyama Buckhorn has been thoughtfully restored into a desert-modern destination with Western roots.

Why Visit: You’ll find rustic elegance in its mid-century design, featuring cowhide textiles, steel fireplaces, and vintage photographs that tell the stories of Cuyama’s rugged past. The on-site Buckhorn restaurant and bar deliver elevated farm-to-table fare with a regional twist. With sweeping desert vistas, stargazing decks, and zero light pollution, it’s the perfect escape for unplugging in style.

Fun Fact: Cuyama Buckhorn used to serve as the only watering hole for miles in this remote stretch of the high desert, and you can still grab a whiskey at the original bar counter from 1952.

Americana Motor Hotel

Flagstaff, Arizona

A proud icon of Route 66, this 1960s-era motel was revitalized with playful nods to its rock ‘n’ roll past and classic car culture.

Why Visit: Every room is a retro fever dream, complete with rotary phones, checkerboard tile, and pops of color that scream Americana. Outside a courtyard bar and food truck park welcome travelers and locals alike for beers under the stars. It’s the perfect launchpad for a road trip to the Grand Canyon, with vintage vibes to spare.

Fun Fact: The neon sign at the Americana Motor Hotel was custom-built to match vintage signage from Route 66’s heyday and has become a favorite selfie stop for road trippers cruising the Mother Road.

Vagabond Hotel

Miami, Florida

Built in 1953 along Biscayne Boulevard, this iconic Miami Modern motel was designed by Robert Swartburg during Miami’s post-war tourism boom. After decades of decline, a major restoration revived its pastel facade, neon signage, and Miami-Modern interiors.

Why Visit: The Vagabond is a stylish oasis for architecture lovers and nightlife seekers, featuring a poolside bar, in-house restaurant (Mr. Mandolin), and vivid design elements including bold colors, retro typography, and colorful murals. Visitors can lounge poolside with a cocktail, snap vintage-chic photos, and tap into Biscayne Boulevard’s fascinating mid-century narrative.

Fun Fact: In its heyday, the Vagabond hosted stars like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., and today it’s still the only remaining MiMo-style boutique hotel on this historic “metal row.”

Egyptian Motor Hotel

Phoenix, Arizona

This 70-year-old motor lodge, graced by Egyptian motifs and a dramatic neon sign, originally operated under names like Las Palmas Inn along Phoenix’s Grand Avenue. Recently revived by Rebel Hospitality, it retains the V-shaped layout and open-air design while adding modern nightlife, a live entertainment venue, and a Mexican-street-food pop-up restaurant by Chilte.

Why Visit: Guests can enjoy concerts visible from private balconies, dine on-site at Chilte, and soak up eclectic mid-century flair with playful art and neon murals applied by local creatives. The hotel serves as a stylish hub for the growing Arts District, perfect for music lovers and foodies looking for authentic, creative energy.

Fun Fact: The revived neon sign and Egyptian-inspired imagery include works by artist collective Snoodmen, and the building includes a mix of guest rooms plus an on-site Airstream trailer as a quirky lodging option.

The Sandman

Santa Rosa, California

The Sandman first opened in the 1970s, but its recent transformation has turned it into a hip, wine-country haven that still nods to its kitschy past.

Why Visit: Think breezy boho interiors, a stylish outdoor lounge, and a dreamy saltwater pool with poolside craft cocktails. It’s the kind of place where you can nap in a hammock one minute and be sipping pinot noir the next. Pet-friendly and laid-back, The Sandman is perfect for both romantic getaways and weekend wine tours.

Fun Fact: The Sandman is one of the only motels in Sonoma County to feature a pool bar that turns into a live DJ venue on summer weekends, bringing a little Palm Springs flair to wine country.

Bluebird Spa Motor Lodge

Saratoga Springs, New York

This mid-century motor lodge was reborn in 2021 after years of neglect. Originally just another roadside stop, it underwent a comprehensive adaptive reuse, transforming into a boutique motor lodge that honors the local arts culture.

Why Visit: Located in the cultural heart of Saratoga Springs, this 42-room lodge features artist-inspired interiors and a bright atrium lounge, perfect for relaxing after exploring mineral baths or strolling Broadway’s historic district. It offers modern comforts, including Wi-Fi, while still feeling like a colorful, retro retreat. It’s an affordable, stylish alternative to grand resorts, ideal for day-trippers.

Fun Fact: The lodge is just a few blocks from Congress Park and within walking distance of the Saratoga Spa State Park, established in 1962 and designated a National Historic Landmark, making it a prime gateway to one of America’s oldest mineral spring destinations.

The Dive Motel

Nashville, Tennessee

Originally opened as the Key Motel in 1956, this motor inn hosted legends like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton in its heyday. In 2019, it the once-forgotten property transformed into The Dive Motel & Swim Club, injecting 1970s disco flair while preserving its mid-century bones.

Why Visit: The property combines 23 whimsically themed rooms each with a “party switch” to drop the lights and activate disco balls. There is a dive bar/lounge open to the public and a classic 60-foot pool and hot tub. It’s a kitschy, adults-only (21+) haven just a short drive from downtown Nashville. The perfect stay for live music lovers, cocktail fans, and Instagrammers alike.

Fun Fact: Beyond its neon and nostalgia, the site once screened legends as musicians performed poolside creating an authentic “dive” destination that is a local cult classic.

Amigo Motor Lodge

Salida, Colorado

A mid-20th-century roadside motel reinvented as a boutique destination, Amigo Motor Lodge now blends fully renovated rooms with a curated lineup of vintage Airstream trailers. Perched near the Arkansas River under the Collegiate Peaks, it balances modern design and mountain charm.

Why Visit: It’s an ideal jumping-off point for rafting, hiking, and town exploration, complete with fire pits for evening gatherings, a coffee bar, and a pet-friendly ethos. Whether opting for a cozy motel room or boho-chic Airstream trailer, guests experience vintage nostalgia with contemporary comfort.

Fun Fact: The property consistently ranks #1 in Salida (4.7 stars on TripAdvisor!) and offers packages that include local ghost-town tours blending history, adventure and retro motor lodge magic.

Ranch Motel & Leisure Club

San Antonio, Texas

Originally built in 1948, this Fifties roadside motel sat in disrepair until 2021. After two years of restoration, it reopened as a boutique hotel and leisure club, thoughtfully preserving its mid-century bones and neon sign.

Why Visit: Sitting adjacent to Brackenridge Park, the motel features 23 stylish rooms, a heated pool, a mezcal lounge, a hi-fi listening room, and give pickleball courts. Its leisure club offers day passes or memberships for locals and travelers alike, blending retro charm with modern social amenities like fire pits, coffee trucks, and games.

Fun Fact: One suite even features an original Pac-Man arcade machine, and the neon sign restored by a local artist includes a working animated arrow that hadn’t been lit since the 1960s!

Where Yesterday Meets the Road Ahead

The enduring appeal of the American road trip lies in its spontaneity, self-discovery, and celebration of the journey itself. Nowhere is that spirit more alive than in the revival of classic motor lodges. These roadside gems are more than just places to sleep; they are living museums of design, history, and Americana, wrapped in neon glow. Whether you’re sipping cocktails or watching the stars, each one of these offers a unique story and a sense of place that chain hotels simply can’t replicate.