Skip to main content

4 Hotels that Are Actually Restored Vintage Travel Trailers

Road-tripping in a vintage travel trailer might be the most iconic image of mid-20th-century Americana. But owning one (never mind restoring it), towing it, and finding a place to park it on vacation can feel like a tall order. If you want a taste of that same retro charm with all the convenience and modern amenities of a traditional hotel, these four places deliver.

Notel

Melbourne, Australia

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Situated atop a nondescript parking garage in the heart of Melbourne is Notel. It’s the sort of place that embraces its speakeasy-inspired, “you have to know it’s there” sense of cool. In fact, it’s only accessible through a hidden door near a ground-level coffee shop. Here, just six beautifully restored 1970s-era Airstream trailers make up the entire “hotel.” The five standard rooms have been outfitted with a stark, ultra-modern, white-on-white decor that feels purpose-built for Instagramming. The flagship “Airstream With Benefits” boasts a lit-up hot tub and a private deck overlooking the city’s famed Flinders Lane. Free booze and snacks are included in every minibar. Plus, there’s free valet parking, Wi-Fi, and Netflix via comped iPad Pros, and HP Sprocket Photo Printers in every room for memorializing all those rooftop moments you promised you’d never talk about again.

Hüttenpalast

Berlin, Germany

Hüttenpalast
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In a city renowned for its edgy, counter-cultural arts scene, Hüttenpalast fits right in. Situated in a repurposed vacuum cleaner factory in Berlin’s Neukölln neighborhood, the quirky caravan hotel combines all the charm of traditional travel trailer camping with plenty of retro bohemian flare. Each of the eight trailers was uniquely painted and decorated by a different local designer. The accommodations are rustic but include the essentials: Wi-Fi, communal bathrooms, public garden areas, and a free breakfast buffet. Be warned though: none are soundproofed. Take that for what it’s worth.

Grand Daddy Hotel

Cape Town, South Africa

Grand Daddy Hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you demand a bit more luxury with your travel trailer camping experience, Grand Daddy Hotel delivers. From the outside, the Cape Town property appears like any other downtown boutique hotel. But a quick ride in a vintage elevator reveals the hotel’s Rooftop Trailer Park Experience. Here, overlooking famous Long Street, seven authentic Airstream trailers have been repurposed as one-of-a-kind guestrooms. Each has been designed with a unique theme that reflects elements of a typical South African road trip. The Grape Escape room celebrates the country’s world-famous vineyards, for example, while Roaring With Colour is a bold nod to the game reserves at Madikwe and Sabi Sands. The interiors all received a top-down makeover to include modern amenities like queen-sized beds, wet baths with private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges.

Hicksville Trailer Palace

Joshua Tree, California

Hicksville Trailer Palace
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The desert does strange things to the human brain, and Hicksville Trailer Palace proudly embraces all of them. The Joshua Tree-based “palace” pulls inspiration from trailer-park chic, road-trip-flavored Americana, and Raising Arizona. Every guestroom trailer boasts an unforgettable, over-the-top design. The Fifi, for example, is adorned with a garish pink-on-pink decor that includes a lighted vanity and a wig collection; The Pee-Wee is the original gypsy vardo trailer used in the 1988 movie Big Top Pee-wee; and The Sweet seems purpose-built as a ’70s porn movie set, eschewing a bed in favor of long, curvy couches, an electric fireplace, and a vintage record player. Outside, guests can enjoy target practice at the on-site BB gun shooting range. Plus, there’s mini-golf, darts, an archery range, and a seasonal pool. That it’s all set amid the remote California desert only adds to the weirdness.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Airstream Brings Back 2 of Its Most Popular and Affordable Travel Trailers
Airstream Caravel

Most travelers with a pulse have fantasized about crisscrossing the country in a vintage (or at least, vintage-looking) Airstream. The iconic aluminum travel trailers are legendary among roadtrippers, symbols of The Great American Road Trip. Sadly, they’re too expensive for most mortal men with some models starting in the six figures. However, just this month, Airstream announced the return of two of its most popular travel trailers. The good news? They’re almost affordable -- almost.

If the Airstream Bambi and Airstream Caravel don’t ring any bells, you’re not alone. Both models debuted back in the 1960s when the RV company was toying with lighter, more compact, more efficient single-axle designs. Though wildly popular, both were discontinued in the ensuing decades to make room for larger, more luxurious alternatives. One look at the second-hand RV market, however, reveals that demand never died down. Used models of both styles hold their resale value remarkably well and are still among the most sought-after Airstream travel trailers.

Read more
Graduate Hotels’ $400 Hall Pass Promises a Month of Unlimited Stays this Summer
The Graduate Hotel Ann Arbor Room

Previous

Next

Read more
4 Swanky Real-Life Hotels Worthy of John Wick
Brochner Hotel penthouse

John Wick showed us that the Continental Hotel was quite dangerous indeed. It’s the sort of place that attracts a sinister, criminal clientele whose tenuous code of honor is the only thing maintaining order. Most guests are one promised bounty away from assassinating one another. Still, the “faux-tel’s” design is so damn cool that it seems worth risking your life for an overnight stay. The eclectic mashup of iconic over-the-top design styles from Beaux-Arts to Rococo peppers in vibrant, Great Gatsby-inspired elements to create a look that’s opulent, atmospheric, and instantly recognizable.

Sadly, for those not fortunate to crash the recent pop-up Continental Hotel in Brooklyn, it’s impossible to visit in the real world. However, these four luxury hotels are every bit as worthy of John Wick — dark, moody, and perfect for plotting your next hit.

Read more