There’s nothing quite as cool as checking into your accommodation and being catapulted back to a bygone era. Up and down the US, there are time warp hotels and motels that are sure to transport you to a former time. From haunted plantation houses repurposed as bed and breakfasts to airport hotels straight out of the Sixties, we’ve hunted down the best retro pads where you can lay your head for the night.
Click through the gallery to discover incredible vintage US hotels and motels…
Nicknamed the ‘Pink Palace’, the rosy-hued Don CeSar Hotel is located on the Gulf Coast of Florida at St Pete Beach. Retro vibes abound here. It opened in the Roaring Twenties and was the stomping ground for the rich and famous, with everyone from Al Capone and F. Scott Fitzgerald to Franklin D. Roosevelt visiting. The hotel is said to be haunted by the spirit of its first owner, Thomas Rowe, who died suddenly from a heart attack in the hotel lobby.
In 1910, a group of Nashville businessmen got together with a plan to grant their city a world-class hotel. The Hermitage Hotel was born, and it still offers 5-star accommodation today. The style is classic and elegant – think grand staircases, arch windows and revamped bedrooms with shiny marble bathrooms. The hotel is said to be visited by ghosts, including ‘the Lady in White’ who is apparently responsible for mischievous happenings like lift malfunctions and drinks unexplainably toppling at the bar.
Comprising three elegant hotels dating back to the 18th century, the Historic Inns of Annapolis are located near downtown’s storied waterfront and beautiful brick-lined streets. One of the buildings, the Maryland Inn, was popular for lodging statesmen, governors and colonial and Revolutionary War personnel. Delegates of the US Congress stayed here in 1783 when George Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Today, rooms are classically styled and come with all the modern features you’d expect.
Once a dilapidated motel that hosted the likes of Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, The Dive Motel in Nashville, Tennessee, has been restored to its former glory. The 23 unique rooms come with a ‘party switch’ that activates a disco ball and radio. Expect garish wallpaper, retro furniture, log cabin vibes, and more. For extra levels of groovy, check out The Dive Motel’s suites with their disco balls and shaggy carpets.
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Arguably one of America’s grandest hotels, The Jefferson, in Richmond, Virginia, was opened in 1895. With its sweeping staircase, arched walls and faux marble columns, it’s a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Some 13 US presidents have graced its rooms, along with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Prince and the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Perhaps the most famous guests, though, were the alligators who lived in the hotel’s marble pools until 1948.
What could be more nostalgic than SMEG refrigerators and deer horn lamps in your room? Maybe it’s the rocking chairs and food trucks right outside? Or a vintage-style outdoor pool to beat the Austin summer temperatures? All that’s on offer at Lone Star Court, in North Austin, a mid-century hotel with a motor court vibe. Despite the retro furnishings and barn-like dining scene, there’s also a modern twist here with landscaped courtyards and amenities like a high-end gym.
Named after the daughter of one of the original families of New Smyrna in Florida, Victoria 1883 is a modern guesthouse with historic roots. Built around a home dating back to 1883, it now offers seven individually styled rooms and suites – each named after one of Victoria’s relatives. There are pretty grounds and home-cooked breakfasts overlooking the Indian River. There’s even a ‘secret garden’ and a hidden-away speakeasy that nods to the property’s past.
With its Art Deco facade and retro-luxe vibe, The Georgian Hotel has become an icon of the Santa Monica shoreline. After opening its doors in 1933, it became a playground for Hollywood greats and has hosted everyone from Clark Gable and Carole Lombard to the mobster ‘Bugsy’ Siegel. There’s a touch of Wes Anderson in the powder blue exteriors and the opulent lobby features original arched ceilings, a curved staircase and antique typewriters and record players.
Marilyn Monroe fans should check into this boutique, retro-glam hotel in Palm Springs. One of the 10 themed rooms has been inspired by her – Pretty in Pink (pictured) is a candy-coloured suite where the actress stayed in the 1950s. The hotel was built in the 1930s, was renovated 20 years later and has pretty much stayed the same way ever since. Rooms are in one-storey buildings dotted about the courtyard and pool area, in typical mid-century style.
In the heart of South Austin, this retro motor inn has delightfully modern touches. It’s been open since 1938 and, despite a massive redesign in 2017, has stayed true to its roots. There are charming touches throughout, from the mid-century chairs around the kidney-shaped pool to the bright yellow and red vinyl beds and pop-art wallpaper in the 41 colourful rooms. Come for the quintessential Texan experience, including honky-tonk pool parties and swim-up cinema screenings.
Tucked away on the edge of the redwood forest in Big Sur, this rustic inn is ideal for a complete digital detox. To start with, it doesn’t accept online bookings. There’s also no wifi from the moment you check in, and you’re even asked not to use your mobile phone in your bespoke, hand-carved room – not that there’s any reception anyway. Instead, guests add to the inn’s in-room journals that date back to the 1950s. The property was opened in 1930 by ‘Grandpa’, a Norwegian wanting to recreate the architecture of his homeland.
Set on the silver sands of Coronado Island in San Diego, California, ‘the Del’ is as impressive now as it was when it opened in 1888. After all, this was once the world’s largest resort, frequented by everyone from Thomas Edison to Barack Obama. Even Marilyn Monroe was a guest – the turreted, maroon-and-white wooden complex was the backdrop for Some Like It Hot. Rooms are elegant and spacious, with balconies overlooking the immaculate lawn and the Pacific.
Built in 1956, this retro-chic hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a real head-turner. Contemporary rooms feature geometric prints, modern art and butterscotch-yellow cabinets. But despite meticulous renovations, it’s still one of the country’s best examples of preserved mid-century hotel architecture. When it first opened, the luxuries guests could expect consisted of rollaway beds and air con. Now, you’re treated to floor-to-ceiling glass, private balconies and pillow-top beds. There are also two pools, flanked by towering palms and cabanas.
This is one hotel with a cool backstory. Dating back to 1716, it’s located in Concord, Massachusetts – where, in 1775, the Revolutionary War was officially launched. Some original pine floors and wall panelling remain. One building was used as a storehouse for arms and provisions during the conflict, while another room was used as an operating theatre for injured soldiers. Guests staying in this room report sightings of ghosts, strange sensations and flickering lights.
It doesn’t get much more retro than a vintage trailer court, complete with an onsite diner serving hearty burgers and fresh shakes. Located in Bisbee, The Shady Dell is a cluster of repurposed trailers – and a slice of hipster heaven. Since opening in 1927, it has catered to road-trippers travelling between San Diego, California, and Savannah, Georgia, along Highway 80. Trailers available to book include a 1947 Tiki Bus with an ‘outrigger bar’ and a vintage 1950s trailer with a black-and-white television and phonograph.
Just steps from the shores of Lake Michigan, The Saugatuck aims to ‘celebrate the lost art of motor lodging’. And it does so in style. The 22 rooms feature patterned blankets and Adirondack patio chairs. Outside, guests can cool off in the pool, roam the shaded grounds or play shuffleboard by the fire pit. The motel, which was built in 1953, has been thoughtfully restored to reflect its roots and recall the bygone era of road tripping with a charming old-fashioned vibe.
Designed by the celebrated desert-modernist architect Albert Frey, this 1960s hotel was revamped in 2016 – but much of it was left untouched. Elements were restored to bring its 16 private suites up to scratch and up to date in terms of conveniences, but many original features, including tiles and bathroom fittings, remain the same. Staying in this boldly colourful hotel is like getting a glimpse into Palm Springs' golden age – complete with a pool with retro umbrellas, floats and killer mountain views.
The Pearl’s oyster-shaped outdoor pool is the centrepiece of this mid-century coastal hotel in the Point Loma neighbourhood of San Diego. The hotel’s name and in-room art pay tribute to the Ama, Japanese female pearl divers who can hold their breath for long periods while harvesting oysters. The 23 minimalist rooms surround the pool, which flows to a bar, while the restaurant features home cooking from the 1960s and free cocktail-making classes.
There have been 24 US Presidents and counting who have stayed at this grand hotel in Hot Springs, Virginia. They include Thomas Jefferson, who spent three weeks relaxing in the natural hot springs that surround the property. When it was built in 1766, there were a mere 18 guest rooms – now there are a staggering 483. They include five elegant President’s Suites, complete with sunrooms, balconies and mountain views. Activities include ice skating in winter and fly fishing in summer.
Classic Hollywood glamour never went out of style at the groovy Orbit In in Palm Springs, California. The hotel has a cool retro vibe, with vintage touches throughout. The nine guest rooms are individually themed – choose The Rat Pack for its original 1950s kitchen and record player teed up with the hits of Frank Sinatra. Alternatively, try Atomic Paradise for a space-age theme and an ‘orange slice’ chair. The poolside is just the spot for kicking back beneath the clear desert skies.
To experience the American West in true old-school style, head to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument where you’ll discover Ofland Escalante. Here, a collection of vintage Airstreams has been transformed into luxury living quarters – or there are custom-designed cabins if you prefer to have a private ensuite bathroom instead of a shared bathhouse. Other fun touches include a drive-in movie theatre where you can watch a film from the comfort of a restored classic car.
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Built in 1869 on the homestead of Florida’s first millionaire, this Key West icon features 29 guest rooms with dark wood panelling, fireplaces and antique furniture. The hotel is said to be visited by ghosts, including the spirit of Sarah ‘Aunt Sally’ Curry, who invented Key lime pie in the cookhouse. Guests have also reported waking up to a housekeeper folding sheets at the foot of their beds – thought to be a maid swept away in a storm.
Vegas hotels may be mostly ridiculously large and lavish – but you can still find old-world vibes. A couple of miles from the hedonistic Strip, Fremont Street was the original heart of Sin City, so the hotels here still have a retro feel. El Cortez was sold to mobster Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel four years after its 1941 opening. Contemporary rooms and suites are available – but if you want an old-fashioned Vegas experience, go for one of the Vintage Rooms. They're virtually the same as they were in Bugsy’s era.
Dating back to 1796, Myrtles Plantation has been turned into a bed and breakfast with 21 accommodation options, ranging from rooms in the main house to cosy cabins scattered through the lush grounds. Expect antique interiors, such as dark wood furniture, four poster beds and oriental rugs. Considered one of America’s most haunted homes, Myrtles runs guided tours so you can discover the spooky side of the property. Book in for an evening mystery tour for extra thrills.
Aspen, Colorado, may be known as a world-class ski resort with high-tech facilities (heated sidewalks, anyone?) but there’s a whole lot of history in this former mining town. You can dive right into it at the decadent Hotel Jerome, which opened in 1889 – during the mining heyday. The J-Bar is one of the town's most revered watering holes and has an authentic, saloon-style atmosphere. Its signature drink is ice cream soda spiked with bourbon, created at the hotel during Prohibition and still proudly sold almost a century on.
Seattle’s only over-water hotel was built for the 1962 World’s Fair – but it’s since hosted rock ‘n’ roll royalty, including Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin and Johnny Cash. The Beatles stayed here two years after the hotel opened. The group famously fished from the window of their suite, and special cordons had to be erected to keep fans at bay. The Beatles Suite, which is all Brit rock style, has primary colours and clashing tartan carpets, and has been kept in its original style.
Housed inside JFK Airport, this time-capsule hotel is a celebration of all things Sixties in the world of aviation. It’s bursting with retro features, from mid-century furniture to working rotary-dial phones. There’s even an exhibit on uber-glam stewardess uniforms from the time (including some by Valentino), and you can experience the red and white sunken lounge where crowds once gathered to watch The Beatles arrive. Thirsty? Head inside ‘Connie,' a 1958 plane repurposed as a cocktail lounge.
We can see why this hotel has earned the nickname ‘Pink Paradise’. Painted in candyfloss pink, The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach was opened in 1947 – and has remained chic and lavish ever since. Guests step back into an era of timeless luxury – rooms are individually-styled and feature plush beds with printed headboards, wicker furniture and Dyson hair straighteners. There’s even a super smart villa designed by Gwyneth Paltrow and her team at Goop.
If walls could talk, they would have a lot to say at Cedar Grove Mansion in Vicksburg, Mississippi. There’s still a Union cannonball lodged in the wall of its parlour, as well as holes left by cannon fire in the facade of the 1840 Greek Revival mansion. The house, which survived a Civil War siege, is lavishly decorated and furnished with period antiques, original fireplaces and sash windows that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
On the outskirts of San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast, the Madonna Inn is pink perfection. This charmingly kitsch hotel has been a classic road trip stopover since it opened in 1958. Its 101 guest rooms are all intricately themed, ranging from the Madonna Suite – the pinkest of the pink – to stone-strewn Jungle Rock. The hotel’s dining room is lavishly decorated with hot pink furnishings, and even the tennis courts are pink.