Mysa Motel

A breezy 10-minute drive from the Gold Coast Airport, this retro-inspired, pastel-hued boutique resort is also only a short walk away from cafes, shops and the sandy beachfront. Husband-and-wife team Jason and Eliza Raine bought the former Palm Trees Motel in 2019 and have since transformed it into a destination motel with pink neon signage, restored vintage furniture and exposed breezeblock walls.

The seven light-filled rooms are painted in lavender, peach, mint and carnation, each one decorated with images of the surrounding area by photographer Trent Mitchell. Some rooms have private courtyards, and all have a smart TV. Plus, all guests have access to the kidney-shaped swimming pool that’s been converted into a magnesium mineral pool.

Sustainability was front and centre of the couple’s minds during the motel renovations. Rainwater services the toilets and garden, while solar panels power the motel rooms. And they chose to recycle materials where possible, including restoring the fibreglass sun loungers.