Those who grew up in Australia anywhere between the ‘80s up until the early 2000s are likely to have experienced the archetypical Aussie beach holiday.
Taking place in a slightly seedy motel staffed by a decidedly disinterested receptionist employing a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, with rooms that looked like they could be the setting for a low-budget soft core porno, fitted with musty beds and filled with sachets of gritty Nescafe blend 43, the Aussie beach holiday was a much beloved tradition. One where vibes, a close proximity to the surf, and good times took priority over crisp white sheets, attentive service, and often, cleanliness.
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As travel styles have shifted—and GDP has increased—the once motel-laden Gold Coast has seen an influx of same-same high rise developments, all offering holidayers an almost identical take on ‘luxury’. Fortunately, motels are slowly but surely making a welcome comeback on the Gold Coast. However, they’re a far cry from their previous incarnation, seamlessly blending nostalgic touches with low-key comfort.
Located an 11-minute drive from Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport, Mysa Motel has carved out its own niche genre of accommodation: the boutique motel. Positioned on a prime corner in the up-and-coming town of Palm Beach, Mysa Motel takes the best elements of old-school motels and fuses them with the creature comforts we’ve come to expect from contemporary travel.
Pronounced ‘mee-sa’ (meaning ‘cosy’ in Swedish), Mysa Motel invites guests to ‘stay cosy’. The result of a sensitive—yet transformative—refurbishment of the former Palm Trees Motel by husband-and-wife team Eliza and Jason Raine, Mysa Motel evokes the nostalgic holiday joy of the ‘80s. The external structures have been retained, with the layout identical to the motels of a bygone era. However, all seven rooms (each with a different colour theme) have been modernised and fitted with courtyards, while the carport now doubles as a function area. The aforementioned Nescafe blend 43 has also been swapped out, with the Laughing Pug drip coffee provided a delightfully welcome change. It’s part of Mysa’s thoughtful welcome pack, which also includes tea, protein balls, and crisps.
Preserving the privacy factor of the motels of yore, Mysa Motel is entirely self-service—allowing it to serve as the destination for a secret rendezvous or under-the-radar escape—with guests receiving a unique pin code that works for the entry gate and room ahead of check-in.
The undeniable pièce de résistance is the pool area; a sun-drenched spot that looks like something out of a Slim Aarons photo. A baby pink neon sign holds court over the space, while matching pink fibreglass sun loungers provide a spot in the shade to read a book. The kidney-shaped pool is treated with magnesium and offers an alternative watering hole to the beach two minutes away.
The lowdown: Mysa Motel, Gold Coast
The hook; why stay at Mysa Motel?
A world away from the generic high-rise new builds cropping up by the dozen on the Gold Coast, Mysa Motel offers a contemporary take on a retro motel, replete with cosy, comfy details and eminently Instagrammable spaces to boot.
Tell us more
Sitting on the site of the former Palm Trees Motel, Mysa Motel is the result of a thoughtful transformation by husband and wife team Eliza and Jason Raine. The duo rescued the former motel from demolition and crafted Mysa Motel with sustainability and retro aesthetics front of mind. Upcycled materials take centre stage, with many original features—including the original hardwood ceiling trusses—preserved and repurposed. Rescued and vintage decor also features heavily, with the breeze blocks in outdoor spaces, glass mosaics in the bathroom, and fibreglass pool recliners salvaged from local building sites.
Holding court in a prime location in Gold Coast’s trendy Palm Beach, Mysa Motel is just a two minute walk from the white sand shores and is surrounded by a melange of cafes and laidback dining options.
How to get to Mysa Motel
Located in Palm Beach, Mysa Motel is a breezy 11-minute drive from Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport.
Rooms and suites
Mysa Motel plays host to seven rooms; six studios with either two king singles or one queen bed, with one suite equipped with a kitchenette. There’s also a two-storey, two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchenette and washer/dryer. Rooms are all named after colours (‘Mint’, ‘Purple’, ‘Pink’, and ‘Gold’ among them), with each reflecting its name by way of a striking feature wall that makes every room a different moment unto itself.
Each of the seven rooms have shed their stodgy past, with the musty decor of the former Palm Trees Motel long gone. In its wake is a modern makeover, with rooms featuring simple yet thoughtful decor, including functional bedside tables that fuse mid century and Scandinavian design codes, USB charging ports, and blackout blinds. Beds are Australian Asthma Foundation-approved and offer a comfortable night’s sleep while double-glazed windows and blackout blinds keep out the hubbub of the town outside.
Bathrooms are generously sized, and the dual sinks on the vanity in our two-bedroom apartment was a nice touch—and much appreciated when getting ready in the morning.
All rooms—as well as the outdoor entry gate—employ keyless entry, which does away with the faff of having to figure out where to stow your keycard (or god forbid, actual keys) every time you want to take a dip in the pool.
Bathroom products?
Bathroom products are by Australian brand Biology. Expect to find shampoo, conditioner, and hand and body wash in the shower area, and hand and body wash and body moisturiser by the bathroom sink.
Comfort factor
The name ‘Mysa’ is Swedish for ‘cosy’, with Mysa Motel well and truly living up to its namesake. The air conditioning system is easy-to-use and reliable which is a godsend for winter trips (even the sunshine state gets cold at night!), while plush beds and blackout curtains craft a soothing environment come bedtime.
Food and drink
Each room and apartment at Mysa Motel comes with a thoughtful welcome pack, comprising an array of vegan protein balls, popcorn or crisps, Emma & Toms juices, and Hope water. The latter is packaged in aluminium and is designed to prevent plastic use, with bottles able to be refilled from the filtered water tap in each room. There’s also Laughing Pug drip coffee bags (delicious, by the way) and Madame Flavour teas.
In the Peach room and the Gold two-bedroom apartment a kitchenette allows you to cook your own meals, which can be a saviour during longer trips when the novelty of dining out starts to wane. Otherwise, there are several restaurants and cafes less than a two-minute walk away.
Spa and facilities
The highlight at Mysa Motel is the striking kidney pool, which is bordered by pale pink fibreglass recliners and watched over by the quintessential statement neon ‘Motel’ sign. The pool has been treated with magnesium (which works to relax the muscles and promote a deeper sleep), blending retro design with contemporary notions of wellbeing.
The service
Mysa Motel is entirely self-service, with check-in performed via email. Patrons will receive a unique pin code that works for both the parking entry gate and your room. Despite the lack of in-person staff interaction, every detail seems considered and well thought out. The keyless check-in was seamless and the guest compendium addresses any and all potential questions about the rooms and motel, as well as provides some local recommendations.
Sustainability initiatives
While much of the former Palm Trees Motel was tired and rundown, therefore needing to be rebuilt altogether, the exterior structure has been retained. The majority of the materials used in the extensive refurbishment were upcycled or second hand, working to reduce the footprint of the build.
Mysa Motel is powered by solar panels and relies on rainwater tanks for the bathrooms and gardens.
Anything else?
Founders Eliza and Jason Raine worked with local photographer Trent Mitchel to adorn the walls of each room with nostalgic shots of iconic Gold Coast sites and landscapes. There are also several photos depicting the transformation from the old Palm Trees Motel to Mysa Motel.
AR Verdict
While in their heyday, motels were the destination, today they’re often considered transient spaces, designed for little more than a pit stop along the way. However, Mysa Motel throws it back to the good ole days, crafting a space that deserves to be lingered in. Combining privacy and a self-contained approach with prime locations and thoughtful details (not to mention a Slim Aarons-esque pool), it serves as the ideal jumping off point for a relaxed beach holiday.
Mysa Motel is open for bookings, with rooms priced from $270 to $600AUD/night.
Address: 1100 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach, QLD, Australia
Words by T. Angel
Feature image courtesy of Mysa Motel
