Usually when you think of the word “motel”, the word “luxurious” doesn’t also jump to mind. However, the world’s very first motel was actually quite luxurious. It even became known as a luxury hotspot for Hollywood stars. Plus, the concept of a “motor hotel” was completely groundbreaking for its time. The world’s first motel is miles away from the somewhat negative preconception we have today about motels.
More motorists traveling the country
During the early heydays of auto manufacturing at the beginning of the 20th century, traveling by automobiles started to become more common and popular across the entire country. More and more people from all walks of life could afford to purchase a new car. And touring the United States by car became all the rage.
By 1925, architect and developer, Arthur Heineman, had identified a need in the market for all these travelers in their cars. He realized that people needed a place to sleep and store their car for the night as they traversed the countryside. He coined the term “motel” by shortening down “motor hotel.” And just like that, a whole new genre of sleeping accommodations was created.
New luxurious accommodations
The Milestone Mo-Tel Inn was designed specifically for drivers and was located in San Luis Obispo on Highway 101. It’s a small town between Los Angeles and San Francisco, so it was the perfect location for drivers traveling back and forth between the two cities. The motel was unique because it had small garages next to the sleeping accommodations. Motorists could sleep in the small bungalows and rest easily because their cars were parked right beside them. The rooms cost only $1.25 per night which is approximately $17.00 in today’s money.
The motel was considered very luxurious by the standards of the 1920s. It cost approximately $80,000 to build. It was built in an elegant Spanish style complete with a beautiful courtyard filled with trees and a three tiered bell tower. Plus, all the rooms had the most modern conveniences like central heating, carpets, and showers.
The famous motel counted Hollywood mega-stars as some of its customers. Some of the most famous stars of old Hollywood ate at the motel’s restaurant including Clint Eastwood, Lucille Ball, and Bob Hope. Even Marilyn Monroe and her husband at that time, Joe DiMaggio, booked a lunch there during their honeymoon in 1954. To top it off, former President Ronald Reagan even held campaign rallies at the roadside motel.
The Milestone Mo-Tel Inn was meant to be the first in a chain of hotels from Arthur Heineman, but when the Great Depression hit, those plans fell through. The motel eventually closed in 1991 and fell into disrepair. Eventually even the name “motel” became synonymous with something less upscale. But the legacy of roadside motels lived on.
A new era for the historic motel
Soon motorists will once again be able to stay at the first motel in the world. The current owners of the Milestone Mo-Tel Inn site have been trying to get it back into running shape since 2016. However, setbacks have kept that dream from being realized until now. The long-awaited development was finally approved by the San Luis Obispo Planning Commission.
The latest design aims to preserve and build around the historical features of the original motel that are still standing at the site. The new motel will feature 29 mission revival style bungalow buildings with a total of 83 guest rooms. Plus, the motel will have a pool and restaurant for all of its weary travelers. The new construction is set to begin this year.