100 Years Down the Road: Celebrating the Legacy of American Motels in 2025
A REVOLUTION IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
2025 marks a milestone that’s close to our hearts here at Nomada—the anniversary of the birth of the American motel. As a hospitality group that specializes in the restoration of iconic properties like Skyview Los Alamos, Hotel Ynez, Farmhouse, and River Lodge, we believe in honoring the history and legacy of these humble motels as cultural icons that changed the landscape of domestic travel.
Highway 101: Where It All Began
The first motel opened its doors in 1925 right here in San Luis Obispo, just a few miles from where some of our properties now stand. The historic Motel Inn (originally known as the Milestone Mo-Tel) pioneered the concept of a roadside motor lodge and coined the term “motel” itself — blending “motor” and “hotel” to describe the easily accessible, approachable design that offered weary motorists a convenient, comfortable place to rest.
This simple idea—drive up, park outside your room, then get up and go in the morning—fueled a hospitality revolution during a golden age of American travel. Motels became synonymous with freedom, adventure, and the open road. Families packed into station wagons chasing sunsets along rural highways, and the American dream had a new backdrop: the neon-lit sign of a roadside inn.
Our M.O.
We first dipped our toe into the world of motel restorations with Skyview — an abandoned 1950s motor lodge perched on a hilltop in the sleepy town of Los Alamos.
If you’ve ever driven the vineyard-flanked strip of Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, you might recognize the bright yellow marquee with bold black letters spelling ‘MOTEL’ standing out against the Santa Ynez valley skyline. It demanded our attention - ready to be rediscovered.
Longtime locals called it the “Bates Motel” but after dusting it off, our team knew the potential was undeniable. Nomada’s renovation preserved all the charm and character of its original architecture while updating the experience for modern-day travelers. Think bespoke craftsmanship, luxury amenities, original artwork, craft food & drink - and most importantly, a vibrant landscaped courtyard in place of what used to be the central parking lot.
While moving the parking *technically* changed our motel to a hotel, we weren’t going to let a one-letter difference keep us from embracing all the things there is to love about these funky motel signs and what they stand for – quirky architecture of eras gone by; that door-is-always-open spirit of hospitality; the allure of a nearby open road.
Travel & Leisure put it this way: “Part of the realized nostalgia of these signs is the change in road culture… there are now standard signs made by corporate-owned motels that create an unexciting monotony along the highway. But the old signs all stand out independently of one another, representing a sense of freedom and the spontaneity of road trips.”
To us, motels are synonymous with casual travel. They may not be once-in-a-lifetime visits, but they are the places you stay when travel is your lifestyle.
And so it was decided - Nomada properties would exist in the in-between. Boutique by design, nostalgic by nature. Historic spaces that transcend expectation. A modern take on the mid-century motor lodge — each with a neon beacon, inviting roadtrippers to slow down, stop, and stay awhile.
Since Skyview, we have completed three more retro restorations: Hotel Ynez (formerly the Meadowlark Inn) in Solvang, and Farmhouse and River Lodge in Paso Robles.
Revel in the Revival
Celebrating the anniversary of motels isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about recognizing a pivotal moment in hospitality. Motels democratized travel. They opened up the country to everyday people and reminded us that meaningful experiences don’t require planes and passports.
This summer, we invite you to experience the free-wheeling spirit of these American mileposts with a good old-fashioned road trip. Now through June 30th at participating Nomada hotels, you can SAVE 15% on midweek rates with discount code: MOTEL. When you book this offer, you will also receive a souvenir merch kit at check-in to commemorate your stay. Click below to book your stay:
Offer valid Sundays - Thursdays through June 30th, 2025. Blackout dates apply. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions. New, direct bookings only. One merch kit per stay.
