17 Retro Hotels That Give Georgians That ’60s Summer Feeling

Ask anyone who lived through the 1960s, and they’ll tell you travel looked different. Families drove, maps were paper, and hotel pools were the main attraction.

Luckily for Georgians who love a good throwback, some of those same hotels are still open.

Here are some of our favorites that have “1960s summer postcard” written all over them.

The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California Is Pure Retro Fantasy

This inn doesn’t just hint at the past. It lives in it. The Madonna Inn opened in 1958, and by the 1960s, it was already famous for doing things differently.

Each room has its own theme. Think pink velvet, rock walls, and glittering ceilings. Nothing is subtle.

The pool has a waterfall. The restaurant has pink everything. Even the sugar packets look like they belong in a time capsule.

It’s kitschy, colorful, and completely unforgettable. Just like a great postcard should be.

The Thunderbird Inn in Savannah, Georgia Still Welcomes Guests With MoonPies and RC Cola

Since 1964, this roadside favorite has served up Southern charm with a neon glow.

The original sign still lights up the block, and every guest still gets a free MoonPie and RC Cola at check-in.

The rooms are modernized, but the throwback touches remain. Bright doors, vintage fonts, and plenty of photo ops.

It’s a perfect blend of retro comfort and road trip fun.

The Coral Sands Inn in Ormond Beach, Florida Feels Like a Family Trip From the Past

Right along the Atlantic, this beachside hotel has kept its classic feel for decades.

It opened in the 1960s and still welcomes families with open-air hallways, pastel paint, and a laid-back rhythm that hasn’t changed much.

The pool overlooks the ocean. The rooms have breezy balconies. And the parking is just a few steps from your door.

If you ever vacationed in Florida as a kid, this place might feel oddly familiar.

The Austin Motel in Austin, Texas Still Looks Exactly Like It Did in 1960

The iconic neon sign. The kidney-shaped pool. The retro font on the building.

The Austin Motel doesn’t just keep a throwback look; it celebrates it. This place has been welcoming guests since 1938, and its 1960s identity is still very much alive.

Rooms have bold wallpaper and vintage fixtures. Outside, there’s a courtyard perfect for people-watching and iced coffee.

It’s weird, it’s cool, and it’s proudly stuck in the past.

The Dive Motel in Nashville, Tennessee Is Retro on Purpose—And It Works

This motel is a little newer, but it was designed to feel like a time warp. And it pulls it off beautifully, if you ask us.

Every room has a disco ball. The beds are round, and the radio plays vintage hits on command.

The pool area has striped loungers, cold drinks, and a classic motel layout. It’s not just a place to sleep. It’s a full-on experience.

It may not be from the 1960s, but it channels the era perfectly.

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico Feels Like Route 66 Never Changed

If you’ve ever seen a postcard from Route 66, there’s a good chance this motel was on it.

The Blue Swallow has been around since 1939 and still has working neon, vintage garages, and a lobby filled with old-school charm.

The rooms are small but spotless. Each one comes with classic furniture, real keys, and an atmosphere that hasn’t been touched by time.

At night, the whole property glows pink and blue. It’s pure Americana, and it’s still welcoming road trippers today.

The Parker Palm Springs in California Is Where Mid-Century Cool Still Lives

Palm Springs has always had style, but The Parker takes it to another level.

Originally opened as a Holiday Inn in the late 1950s, it was reimagined with a strong retro feel that leans into the glamorous side of the 1960s.

There are orange doors, breezeblock walls, and plenty of colorful furniture that looks like it came from a movie set.

The pool area feels like a Slim Aarons photo. And yes, there’s a lemonade stand on the lawn.

The Tiki Resort in Lake George, New York Still Throws a Luau

The 1960s loved a good tiki theme. This resort has kept that going, with zero apologies.

Opened in 1965, The Tiki Resort features Polynesian-inspired decor, bamboo finishes, and live luaus during summer weekends.

Guests can book rooms with bright floral patterns and retro furnishings. Outside, there’s a tiki bar, a curved pool, and carved statues that have been there for decades.

It’s part roadside stop, part vacation showpiece. And it still has plenty of loyal fans.

The Sea View Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Keeps Things Wonderfully Simple

Some postcard places don’t need neon or bold colors. They just need charm. That’s what you’ll find at The Sea View Inn.

This quiet coastal retreat has been hosting guests since the 1930s, but it saw a surge in popularity during the 1960s California road trip boom.

Rooms are filled with wicker chairs, soft quilts, and ocean breezes. There’s no loud branding or trendy renovations.

It’s calm, classic, and easy to fall in love with.

The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona Lets You Sleep in a Piece of History

This isn’t just a roadside stop. It’s a landmark.

Built in the 1950s, the Wigwam Motel features concrete teepees instead of standard motel rooms. Each one has a bed, a bathroom, and vintage charm.

Old cars are parked out front for that perfect photo op. At night, the neon lights up the row just like it did 60 years ago.

It’s quirky, fun, and unforgettable. Exactly what a postcard moment should feel like.

The Lincolnville Motel in Maine Feels Like a Seaside Campground From the Past

This classic roadside motel sits just off the scenic coastal route in mid-coast Maine. The views are peaceful. The décor is frozen in time.

It’s been lovingly restored, but the bones are pure 1960s. Think pine-paneled rooms, hand-written check-ins, and lawn chairs facing the water.

There’s a fire pit out back. A tiny pool in front. And a steady stream of travelers who want something simple and sweet.

If summer had a scent, this place would smell like sunscreen and pine needles.

The Capri in Ojai, California Is Mid-Century Cool Without Trying Too Hard

Tucked in the hills outside Los Angeles, The Capri keeps the 1960s spirit alive with breezeblocks, palm trees, and a pool that begs for sunglasses and a paperback book.

The rooms are clean and colorful, with nods to vintage California style throughout.

You’ll find bicycles to borrow, classic tunes playing on the patio, and furniture that looks like it came straight from a vintage catalog.

It’s quiet, sunny, and packed with easygoing charm.

The Red Caboose Motel in Pennsylvania Lets You Sleep in a Train Car

Yes, it’s real. The rooms are actual cabooses.

Painted in bright red and parked on old tracks, these train cars were converted into motel rooms in the 1960s. They still carry that playful, imaginative feel.

Inside, the rooms are cozy and themed. Outside, you can walk the platform, visit the on-site petting zoo, or grab a bite in the dining car.

It’s the kind of place kids love, and adults remember forever.

The Orbit In in Palm Springs Is a Snapshot of Atomic Age Design

The Orbit In isn’t just a motel. It’s a love letter to mid-century style.

Rooms are filled with period furniture, lava lamps, and vintage radios. Even the pool area has retro speakers playing lounge music.

There’s a cocktail hour each night. A record player in the lobby. And guests who appreciate the details as much as the desert sunshine.

It feels like stepping onto a movie set, only real.

The Imperial Motel in Cortland, New York Hasn’t Changed in Decades—And That’s the Point

It’s small. It’s simple. And it’s a time capsule in the best way.

The Imperial Motel is a family-run spot that opened in the early 1960s. The sign out front is original, and so is much of the layout inside.

Guests come for the low prices and quiet setting. But they often stay for the nostalgia.

You won’t find smart TVs or luxury perks here. Just clean rooms, friendly service, and a whole lot of charm.

The Tahoe Sands Inn in South Lake Tahoe, California Still Looks Like a 1960s Ski Trip Stop

Back in the day, road trippers and skiers flocked to Lake Tahoe for fresh snow and fresh air. The Tahoe Sands Inn was right there waiting.

It still has its original neon sign and angled carports. The rooms are simple and colorful, with old-school details that haven’t been stripped away.

You’re just a short walk from the lake, and the mountains are visible from the parking lot.

It feels like a vacation your parents might have taken, minus the cassette player.

The Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina Hasn’t Lost Its Glow

This little roadside gem opened in the 1950s and kept its retro look well into the 1960s and beyond.

The rooms have been refreshed but still hold onto their original bones. Pastel tile, chrome chairs, and cheerful bedding bring it all together.