Everything old is new again at these six Gold Coast retro motels where mid-century makeovers bring classic stays back to life. From Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise, you can find a retro gem in a prime holiday position. Best of all, many have room rates that won’t break the bank!
Where to find a classic Gold Coast Retro Motel
The hallmark of any great Aussie road trip, these motels celebrate the coast’s colourful past and coastal lifestyle. While the retro ambience is deep, you won’t miss out on any modern comforts in the intricately restyled interiors and flash new exteriors. Pack the car, lock the door, and roll up to the front door of these revamped Gold Coast retro motels.Tessa’s on the Beach
Sandy Toes 1 Tessas on the Beach Gold Coast Retro Motel
Tessa’s On The Beach, Bilinga
When they say on the beach, they really mean on the beach. The wide white sand beach of Bilinga is just a stone’s throw from the motel. Book one of the front, ground floor apartments, and the only thing that’s between you and the beach is a white umbrella and day lounge. You’ll fall asleep to the sounds of the surf hitting the beach in the background. It’s true beachside bliss. Locals come for nostalgia, and hipsters love the colour. It’s also the ultimate in recycling. Owners Tessa and Tony decided to keep the retro feel of a previously a run-down mid-century modern motel and revive the classic style with Palm Springs vibes. At the front is a bar, which also serves coffee, but it’s only for in-house guests, so it doesn’t get busy. This spot and poolside is where guests to mix and mingle. There are 15 rooms and another nine on the way. There are 15 rooms, a lush magnesium pool and an onsite café and bar. An adults-only escape, this relaxed motel is perfect for romantic weekends away and can also be hired exclusively for weddings and special events. Gold Coast Airport is only two kilometres away so this would be a great pre-departure stay too.Coffee Shop Bar Tessas on the Beach Gold Coast Retro Motel
Sandy Toes 1 Tessas on the Beach Gold Coast Retro Motel
Why stay here?- No children; it’s an adults-only playground perfect for a romantic escape.
- Float in the magnesium mineral pool
- Bicycle and paddleboard hire available
- Exclusive hire available.
- Good for chilling pre or post-flight too.
The Mysa Motel Palm Beach. Photo: Mysa Motel
The Mysa Motel, Palm Beach
With a lot of TLC, upcycled materials from local building sites, and carefully restored vintage design pieces, the old Palm Trees Motel was transformed into a boutique luxury retro motel with a genuine dedication to sustainability. There are seven pastel-coloured rooms and one two-story suite in this Gold Coast retro motel, all artfully restored by husband and wife team Eliza and Jason. Old-timers might remember the site as the Palm Trees Motel. Why stay here?- Refill your water bottles from self-filtering taps in your room
- Float in the magnesium mineral pool
- The motel is powered by solar and uses rainwater for toilets and gardens
- Self-service check-in
There is no missing The Pink Hotel. Photo credit: The Pink Hotel
The Pink Hotel, Coolangatta
Paying homage to the candy-coloured fun of the Gold Coast’s famous pyjama parties in the 50s is Coolangatta’s Pink Hotel. If you are looking for an iconic Gold Coast retro motel, this is it! Expect plush velvet couches that pop from polished concrete floors and neon signs that light up the bathroom walls. The décor is cute and quirky. Why stay here?- Beachfront location
- Rooftop and piano bar open Friday and Saturday nights
- Pink beach cruisers are available for hire.
- A record player with a vinyl library available at reception
- Netflix in all rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- King size beds
- In-room dining
Even the bedrooms are pink in The Pink Hotel. Photo credit: The Pink Hotel
The Blue Heron Motel at Mermaid Beach. Photo: Blue Heron Motel.
Blue Heron Motel, Mermaid Beach
Perched on a corner block just 200m from the beach, Blue Heron Motel has been lovingly modernised with pockets of nostalgia celebrating the motel’s 70s childhood. It’s all crisp white paint and modern minimalist furnishings offset by plush velvet couches and royal blue throws. Outside, a sparkling turquoise pool, sun loungers, and retro beach umbrellas invite guests to lounge in the garden. Why stay here?- Landscaped pool and barbecue area with sun lounges and bean bags
- Free vintage bikes to explore Mermaid Beach.
- Two minutes walk to the beach
- Nespresso machines in the room
- Smart TVs with Netflix
Grab a vintage bike at La Costa Motel. Photo credit: La Costa Motel
La Costa Motel, Bilinga
This quirky, renovated retro motel allows you to step back in time to the weatherboard-clad surf shacks and motels that dominated the Gold Coast’s coastline in the 1950s. Nominated as one of the Gold Coast’s original ‘Highway Heritage’ motels, La Costa Motel kept its original, sky-blue façade and beachside chic. Adding to the charm are mint green beach cruisers casually leaned against the white picket fence, rainbow-coloured umbrellas, and pink flamingos. With the motel situated opposite Gold Coast Airport at Bilinga Beach, it’s the perfect beachside getaway just minutes from the baggage carousel. Why stay here?- 50m to the beach
- Free vintage bicycles
- Free airport transfers
- Free breakfast and wifi
The Island Surfers Paradise. Photo credit: The Island
The Island, Surfers Paradise
Gold Coast 80s icon, ‘The Islander Resort’, was revamped, rebuilt, and redesigned to within an inch of its laidback life back in 2017. Now dubbed ‘The Island’, this classic Gold Coast retro motel has 98 rooms with seaside chic interiors. Outside rejoice in breeze blocks, blonde timber furnishings, rattan lamps, and cherry pop umbrellas. Drift back to the 80s and mingle in the Gold Coast retro motel relaxed, yet sassy and modern charm.Why stay here?
- Pool deck and bistro
- Tropical rooftop bar
- Minutes from the beach
- Located at the heart of Surfers Paradise and all the action.
Room rate
From $157 per night, The Island, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers ParadiseThings to do on the Gold Coast
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The Island, Surfers Paradise. Photo credit: The Island
It’s hard to beat the bed to beach connection at Tessa’s too. That really harks back to the golden days when you woke up and just stepped outside for a morning swim.
Kerry, this is the ultimate in recycling and sustainability. I’m trying to recall which motel conversion started the whole trend? Bannisters in Mollymook NSW or Halcyon House in Kingscliff? Andrew and Lucy Pink did a brilliant job transforming Loea in Maroochydore, and while some conversions are more successful than others, it is a brilliant trend that suits the Gold Coast perfectly..
Everything old is new again! It’s fun to stay somewhere with a bit of history and colour and the Gold Coast is certainly the place to do it.
Am loving these refurbished old hotels / motels. And with travel restrictions now, best time to explore your own backyard for a nice staycation! Love the bar at The Island Surfer Paradise! Very inviting! Hope to check these out some days!
I too love this trend! Some of those places definitely have some serious design goals. But, you had me at the pink hotel and love the idea of being able to have access to bikes to go out and explore.
There are plenty of options and having a vintage bike to explore makes it easy to get out and enjoy great dining and cafes. You can always work it off with a beach swim.
The properties and rooms look so fabulous, it’s almost too hard to pick where to stay. I think I would pick by the pool I like best in the end.
So many memories of great holidays on the Gold Coast are held in these buildings. It’s definitely an extra twist to your holiday when you add a stay here.
The Pink Hotel is absolutely iconic! I’m from Brisbane and even remember driving past it when we down at the Gold Coast as kids. It’s cool to see what they’ve done with the inside of it. I love the feel of The Island in Surfers – definitely vintage luxury right there. The La Costa Motel reminds of what I imagine the old Gold Coast used to be like with beach shacks and surfies wandering around.
There are some pretty talented interior designers on the Gold Coast. I love the color pink so would be drawn to The Pink Hotel, but love bike riding and the price is great at the Blue Heron.
I love the idea of staying in a retro motel on the Gold Coast. And great to know that I would not be giving up comfort for funky style. I love the idea of finding one close to the beach. And having vintage bikes to explore with. Some fun options here.