30 Roadside Motels You’ll Want to Book for Your Next Road Trip

Roadside motels have gone retro and modern, even swanky. Here are the on-trend motels you’ll want to stay in on your next road trip.

By: Erin Gifford

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Nostalgia-Fueled Getaways

Nostalgia getaways never seem to go out of style. There’s just something about roadside motels, with their clean lines, retro aesthetics, pops of color and neon accents that encourage many travelers to seek out these stays. It’s as if we want to go back in time to the golden age of road trips, to the days when we would stop at greasy diners and stay at midcentury modern classics. When you want to grab a piece of nostalgia, here are 30 swanky roadside motels you’ll want to book.

The Sandman

Set off US-101 in Santa Rosa, California, The Sandman offers a refreshingly modern take on the roadside motel of yesteryear thanks to a thoughtful renovation across the property. All 135 bright and airy guest rooms have modern furnishings, flat-screen TVs and luxurious Malin+Goetz bath products. Order refreshing cocktails, like a Blood Orange Margarita, in the remodeled Pool House & Bar before splashing around in the outdoor pool with a floatie. Kids will love sipping on Ocean Water (flavored soda with gummy fish floating in the glass).

Unscripted Durham

A former 1960s motor lodge in North Carolina, the Jack Tar Motor Lodge received new life in mid-2017 as Unscripted Durham, a 74-room boutique hotel with a midcentury modern vibe, a swanky rooftop pool and a retro poolside lounge. Guest rooms boast sleek designs with pops of bright colors, like teal and pumpkin. Playful accents, like "Hang Out" mats, welcome guests at check-in. A mixed-use coffee bar gives guests a place to grab a bite or simply relax in between meetings, while The Studio serves as a "rec room" for socializing and drawing inspiration.

Wigwam Motel

The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, is among the most celebrated and distinctive roadside motels on Route 66, effortlessly conjuring images of the Great American Road Trip. Once called Wigwam Village #6, it has 15 concrete teepees that serve as guest rooms. As you pull into the motel you’re greeted with classic cars, neon signs and Route 66 memorabilia. At one time there were seven Wigwam Villages. All were built in the 1930s and 1940s, but just three remain today. They are still popular with motorists, too. The Wigwam Motel is a short drive from Petrified Forest National Park and the Geronimo Trading Post.

Trixie Motel

In Palm Springs, California, the Trixie Motel is a cotton candy-colored oasis with seven over-the-top guest rooms and suites with themes like Queen of Hearts, Atomic Bombshell and Flower Power. The gram-worthy motel pool looks fresh from the Barbie movie. The Trixie Motel, which is the brainchild of drag queen star Trixie Mattel, is the ultimate desert getaway that’s steps from the main road, Palm Canyon Drive. It quickly became legend, too, garnering its own eight-episode series on Discovery+ called Trixie Motel that’s focused on the motel’s 2021 renovation.

Tuxon Hotel

Once a 1960s-era Motel 6, the trendy Tuxon Hotel received new life when it opened its doors in Tucson, Arizona, in mid-2020. This stylish boutique blends modern design with Tucson’s rich cultural heritage. Guest room interiors boast artwork with a Southwestern flair that speaks to an Old West legacy. Of course, there are also nods to the saguaro cacti that cover the state, namely at Tucson’s Saguaro National Park. Enjoy a refreshing splash at the Tuxon’s custom swimming pool, which features daybeds, cabanas and a hopping pool bar. On-site eats include barrio burritos, carnitas tacos and ahi tostadas.

The Gondolier Inn

In Naples, Florida, the 1950s-era Gondolier Inn welcomes guests with flamingo pink exteriors and black-and-white striped window awnings. It’s the ultimate in retro coastal chic. In 2018, a full reno allowed for a restoration inside and out that preserved the motel's Old Florida vibes. A few blocks from sand and surf, the Gondolier Inn offers complimentary golf cart rides to Naples Beach, as well as beach towels and beach chairs, even coolers and fishing rods. A grassy backyard with loungers and a grill encourages afternoon gatherings among motel guests.

The Dive Motel

The Dive Motel is a vintage-inspired roadside motel in Nashville that caters to adults only. More specifically, all guests must be at least 21 years old to enjoy all that this retro motel and swim club has to offer guests, including a heated pool, a sauna, a bar and disco ball-decorated rooms. In fact, all 23 wildly retro guest rooms have a disco ball. Some even have shag carpet bedding. Hungry? Slide Hustle Nashville is open daily, serving up gourmet sliders and fries inside the motel. Weekends herald raucous pool parties and afternoon DJ sessions.

Stardust Motel

The Stardust Motel in Wallace, Idaho, has it all. It’s retro, stylish and pet-friendly, so you can revel in the vintage vibes with your favorite furry friend. This throwback motor lodge was refreshed in 2022, adding funky carpeting, colorful mural art and luxe toiletries to guest rooms. Located in downtown Wallace, the Stardust Motel is a short walk to local attractions, like the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum. Rent a bike from the Adventure Hub for a ride on the Route of the Hiawatha, a scenic 15-mile rail-trail with tall trestles and dark train tunnels.

Skyview Los Alamos

Skyview Los Alamos is a stylishly renovated motor lodge in California's Santa Ynez Valley that deftly fuses retro-inspired aesthetics with contemporary touches. Most notable is the motel’s ambiance, which features clean lines, warm hues and natural textiles, lending to a modern California vibe. Inviting indoor and outdoor spaces allow for reveling in serious views across Skyview’s on-site vineyards, which grow Pinot Noir grapes. Check out a cruiser bike to pedal into town or relax on a poolside chaise at the restored and heated motel swimming pool.

Americana Motor Hotel

Built in 1962, the recently renovated Americana Motor Hotel sits on iconic Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona. To bring the motor lodge to present day, the refresh added plush bedding, walk-in showers, blackout shades and up-to-the-minute televisions. In terms of design, vintage-inspired guest rooms feature wooden paneling, geometric-shaped mirrors, retro rugs and disco balls. In the motel’s backyard, guests enjoy a heated pool, yard games, hammocks and a fire pit. From the Americana Motor Hotel, it’s a short drive to area must-sees, like Lowell Observatory and the Grand Canyon.

OYO Hotel Lamberton Hwy 14

The red-and-white color scheme is what first draws visitors to the OYO Hotel Lamberton Hwy 14 in Lamberton, Minnesota. Not just on the exteriors of this retro roadside motel, but in the guest rooms, too, thanks to crisp white bedspreads and splashes of red, including eye-popping throw blankets and dramatic accent walls. Cotton candy-colored bathrooms add to the motel’s vintage aesthetics. This 1950s-era motel is a popular stay among Little House on the Prairie fans. It’s a short drive from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum.

The Drifter Hotel

Located in New Orleans, the Drifter Hotel was first built in 1956, then reintroduced in 2017 with a retro-inspired vibe and laid-back charm. This midcentury modern motel blends nostalgia with modern features, incorporating vibrant hues, eclectic furniture and curious works of art, as well as plush linens and flat-screen televisions. An inviting outdoor courtyard is the centerpiece of the Drifter Hotel, welcoming guests with a stylish swimming pool, lush landscaping and poolside loungers. Mod food trucks and pop-ups ensure a dynamic, ever-changing menu of enticing small plates and craft cocktails.

Thunderbird Inn

Built in 1964, the Thunderbird Inn in Savannah, Georgia, was remodeled and reinvigorated in 2018 to bring this sleepy motel back to life. Outside, the motor inn boasts neon signs and vibrant artwork, including a super-size Welcome to Savannah mural on the side of the building. The inn’s 42 retro-chic guest rooms feature pillow-top beds and plush towels, as well as hot popcorn and lemonade at check-in, even MoonPie snacks on your pillow at bedtime. The Thunderbird Inn is a short walk from the Savannah Historic District and the SCAD Museum of Art, a renowned contemporary art museum.

Lone Star Court

Lone Star Court is a manicured urban oasis located in the middle of a shopping plaza in Austin, Texas, called The Domain, which is home to more than 100 upscale retail shops and restaurants. That’s not to say that Lone Star Court is noisy and bustling. Guest rooms face an open-air courtyard with fire pits, picnic tables, yard games and a swimming pool. Lone Star Court describes its aesthetic as “retro ranch” with vintage touches in guest rooms, like a '50s-style Smeg brand full-size refrigerator, and modern amenities, like high-thread-count linens and high-end bath products.

Starlight Motor Inn

The Starlight Motor Inn has been a fixture in North Charleston, South Carolina, since 1961 and is considered one of the first modular motels in the South, largely built off-site, then assembled on-site, in the heart of North Charleston. In 2022, this roadside landmark was thoughtfully restored and modernized as an urban oasis with 51 well-appointed guest rooms. The Starlight Pool at this midcentury motel offers a refreshing escape in warm weather months. Sip on a craft cocktail as you laze away the day on a comfy pool lounger.

The Groovy Nomad

Tucked away in the North Georgia mountains, The Groovy Nomad is a far-out escape that’s not far from major cities, including Atlanta, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama. It’s less than a two-hour drive from all three metro areas. This roadside motel that dates to the 1950s recently underwent a major reno, re-opening its doors in June 2022. All 10 rooms at The Groovy Nomad have a uniquely retro theme, like Flower Power, '50s Sci-Fi and Pac-Man, which has its own disco ball. Cloudland Canyon State Park is an five-minute drive from the motel.

Hotel Valley Ho

The Hotel Valley Ho is a stunning boutique property that dates to 1956. It is renowned for its midcentury modern design and vibrant ambiance that draws in visitors to Scottsdale, Arizona. Get ready for eye-pleasing aesthetics, including sleek lines, retro furnishings, like velvet chaises and accent chairs, and nostalgia-inducing color schemes. The Hotel Valley Ho has two refreshing pools, including a chill lap pool and a “see and be seen” social pool with daybeds, lounge chairs and cocktail service. Book a spa treatment or stroll Old Town Scottsdale to sample wines on the Scottsdale Wine Trail.

Hotel Palms

The Hotel Palms opened in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1947, then celebrated a major renovation in late 2016, transforming this quaint motor lodge in the historic neighborhood of Atlantic Beach into an inspiring stay with laid-back retro vibes. Guest rooms feature a thoughtful blend of midcentury modern design and Old Florida coastal accents. Outdoor spaces, including a relaxing tropical courtyard, encourage gathering and socialization. The Hotel Palms is at the heart of an eclectic arts scene with plenty of seafood-forward dining options, like North Beach Fish Camp and Sliders Oyster Bar.

Egyptian Motor Hotel

Renovated roadside motels are very on-trend, and the Egyptian Motor Hotel in Phoenix is no exception. This historic midcentury hotel first opened its doors in the 1950s, replete with Egyptian emblems and towering palms, but it ultimately shuttered in the 1980s. Following a top-to-tail reno, the iconic motel re-opened in January 2023 with 47 retro-modern rooms, an Airstream suite, a super-size outdoor bar, a music stage and outdoor games, like cornhole and foosball. On-site pop-up restaurant, Chilte, serves up what has been coined “culinary street food,” much to the delight of locals and hotel guests.

Cuyama Buckhorn

Just two hours north of Los Angeles sits a thoughtfully restored roadside oasis called Cuyama Buckhorn. Originally opened in 1952, this desert retreat was completely renovated in 2021 to preserve the nostalgic charm but also to add modern amenities, like luxurious linens, super-size vanities and a color scheme reflective of the desert with warm hues and earthy tones. An on-site restaurant serves farm-to-table comfort food, like cast iron-baked cornbread and handmade tortilla tacos. Thanks to its location in the Cuyama Valley, outdoor activities are plentiful, including hiking and birdwatching at Los Padres National Forest, the second-largest national forest in California.

Beachside Hotel & Suites

The Beachside Hotel & Suites, which re-opened in mid-2020 following a massive renovation, emits a retro vibe that speaks to its mid-1960s roots. The ambiance also syncs with its location steps from Florida’s Cocoa Beach, which is known as the surfing capital of the East Coast. Guests revel in coastal-inspired guest rooms with pastel accents, as well as a lazy river, poolside bar and free beach rentals, like surfboards, boogie boards and cruiser bikes. The hotel is a short walk from waterfront restaurants and snack shacks, as well as Ron Jon Surf Shop, the world-renowned surf shop that got its start in Cocoa Beach.

Amigo Motor Lodge

Amigo Motor Lodge in Salida, Colorado, may be more than 60 years old, but modern furnishings and clean design tell a different story. The property was renovated in 2016 to create spaces you want to spend time in, not simply spaces to pass the time in between activities. Look for flat-screen TVs, natural Baltic Birch bed frames and Malin+Goetz bath products, as well as colorful accents with a decidedly Southwestern vibe. The property currently has 15 guest rooms, as well as several renovated Airstream trailers.

Sound View Greenport

Overlooking the Long Island Sound in North Fork, New York, the Sound View Greenport dates back to 1953. This 55-room roadside motel received a facelift in 2017, bringing new life to a dilapidated property in a breezy seaside town. Set on a quarter-mile of private beach, Sound View Greenport boasts bright, airy rooms, modern furnishings and luxurious amenities, like Malin+Goetz bath products. Enjoy local seafood and sunset dining at on-site restaurant, The Halyard. The motel also has a piano bar, a beach bar and a casual poolside snack shack.

The Astro Motel

Just a stone’s throw from downtown Santa Rosa, California, The Astro Motel is a hip 34-room motel that delights with midcentury furnishings, a colorful interior courtyard garden and modern artwork. Guest room doors in vintage shades of turquoise and pumpkin welcome those eager to begin their stay at this thoughtfully renovated, circa 1963 motor lodge. Set in a leading cycling destination and just minutes from The Santa Rosa Creek Trail, The Astro Motel caters to cyclists by making Shinola Bikes available for rent on-site.

Austin Motel

The historic 41-room Austin Motel in Austin, Texas, has been in operation since 1938, but it was the swanky makeover the motel received in 2017 by Bunkhouse that gave the Austin Motel a hip, new vibe. Taking care to preserve the eclectic feel and midcentury design, Bunkhouse freshened up the motel with playful furnishings and bright pops of yellow and orange. The pool bar and deck at the 1950s-style kidney-shaped pool are popular gathering spots at the motel. On-site, a reimagined diner called Joann’s Fine Foods serves up delicious Tex-Mex faves and classic frozen margs.

Beck’s Motor Lodge

When Beck’s Motor Lodge opened its doors in The Castro district of San Francisco in 1958, rooms cost just $5 per night. A lot of changes have taken place since then, including a major renovation in 2017 that gave the motel a modern midcentury makeover. Today, guest rooms boast rain showerheads, plush bedding and flat-screen TVs. In the morning and evening, head up to the rooftop sundeck to watch the fog roll in. Enjoy free parking at the boutique motel and easy walking to cozy restaurants, like Kitchen Story and Starbelly.

Vagabond Hotel

In December 1953, The Vagabond in Miami was born, quickly gaining acclaim as a hangout for Rat Packers, like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Unfortunately, The Vagabond fell onto hard times in the 1960s. A 2014 overhaul of this 53-room motel returned the glitz and glamour to this storied property, bringing together streamlined midcentury design features, bright pops of color and retro-chic amenities. Set in Miami’s MiMo Historic District, the motel welcomes visitors to take a stroll along Biscayne Boulevard to explore the vibrant revival of this section of town.

Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa

The Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in California is a self-proclaimed ode to the Great American Road Trip. Built in the 1940s, this roadside classic received new life in 2017 thanks to a renovation that freshened up the 50-room motel with midcentury modern furnishings and playful throwback amenities, like hula hoops, jump ropes, even Polaroid cameras. The renovation added three geothermal pools fed by Calistoga’s natural mineral hot springs, as well as a blissful mix-your-own-mud bar at the spa to detoxify after a day out in the vineyards.

Roadrunner Lodge Motel

The Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, is a delightful slice of Americana set along Historic Route 66. Dubbed the "Heart of the Mother Road," you’ll find plenty of iconic Route 66 attractions in Tucumcari, including this vintage motel, which was originally two separate properties. Today, you’ll be treated to modern conveniences, like organic bath products, combined with a decidedly midcentury modern vibe. Hits from the 1960s, even radio commercials, are piped into the lobby to further the retro feel at the Roadrunner Lodge Motel.

El Rey Court

El Rey Court in Santa Fe brings all the retro vibes. Situated on the original Route 66, this stylish roadside motor lodge dates back to 1936. The 86 rooms at this adobe-style motel convey a decidedly Southwest feel that’s both modern and contemporary. The five-acre property features gardens, an on-site food truck, a cocktail bar and a refreshing outdoor pool area called the Swim Club. El Rey Court often hosts live music for guests and Santa Fe locals. El Rey Court is a short drive from Santa Fe Plaza, a national historic landmark in the heart of Santa Fe.