Downtown Chandler, Arizona, has gone through a major revitalization over the past decade. As such, the Phoenix suburb is now a vibrant entertainment district filled with restaurants, breweries and bars, galleries, and more. Adding to the neighborhood’s fun, funky vibe is The Aloha motel, a midcentury roadside motel that has been restored to its retro tiki charm.
The history of The Aloha motel
Constructed in 1950 under its current name, The Aloha — named after the Hawaiian word for both “hello” and “goodbye” — is built in a traditional U-shape with rooms surrounding a swimming pool and office with manager’s quarters. At the time, the now-sprawling Chandler was a small agricultural town with a population of only 3,800, and Arizona Avenue, the stretch of road on which the motel sits, was a major thoroughfare. Wood totems and a large lighted sign with crossed tiki spears greeted guests.
By the late 2010s, the hotel had fallen into disrepair. While it remained open, the rooms were run down and dirty, the pool was filled in, and reviews called out bad management.
In 2019, investors John Hylton and Bill Simmonds purchased the property with plans to transform it into long-term apartment rentals. Then Covid hit. So the duo decided to pivot their plans and create accommodations that will house guests for one night or six months.
“John and Bill are not into tearing things down. They’re more into restoring and keeping the soul, the vibe of what the community is supposed to look like,” says Vincent Piedi of Aardvark Partners, the motel’s property management company. “They restored the motel and brought it back to life.”
The newly renovated Aloha motel opened in April 2022 to much excitement. In a press release announcing the re-opening, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said, “This is a great example of thoughtful redevelopment, preserving the best aspects of a classic Chandler property while giving it new life.”
Style and comfort
The Aloha motel offers 26 rooms — 24 studios and two two-bedrooms. Each is meticulously restored and filled with midcentury charm. The exterior also has been painted a bright white with tropical-hued trim and doors. And a new roadside sign, complete with tiki spears, has been installed.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into the room was just how big and impeccably clean and light-filled it was. A two-tone white-and-pastel paint scheme and wood-look floors create an open and airy feel. The furnishings are sleek and minimalist with a distinct midcentury modern flair. There’s a queen-size platform bed with plush white premium linens, a pair of brass-and-glass combo lamp/nightstands, and an open-frame wardrobe with a full-length mirror. The fully outfitted kitchenette includes a microwave, espresso maker, mini fridge, and dishwasher. And there’s even a tulip table with a pair of rattan dining chairs.
Interior designer Tara Logsdon added playful retro touches to each room, including vintage aviation photography, artwork by Phoenix painter Randy Slack, and ukuleles that serve as decor but can be played.
Outside, behind the central brick building, is a grassy area with picnic tables and cornhole games. A cluster of tiki totems harks back to the motel’s heyday. One of the property’s original wood totems sits just to the side of the lawn. The pool is small, but it offers plenty of shaded lounge chairs and a couple thatched palapas, all set against a colorful ocean sunset mural.
Currently, the central brick building that once housed the office is being restored and will be turned into a business center and/or a community space for guests to gather and relax. On one side of the building is a laundry room that is free for guests. Vending and ice machines also are found here.
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Contact-free stay
While the look and feel of The Aloha motel is definitely midcentury, the property embraces modern technology. As such, there is no front desk here. Guests check in through their phones and a code is sent to them for room access. And the code changes for each new guest. If you’re traveling and suddenly need a place to stay, QR codes posted around the property offer instant access at any time of day or night. Likewise, if you need anything for your room, from towels or coffee to pack ’n plays or cots — which are provided at no extra charge — simply send a message through an app, and someone will bring them to your room within minutes.
“We wanted to make the process as seamless as possible for guests. And as secure and safe as possible,” Piedi says. “I would want to stay here, and I would feel comfortable with my wife and kids staying here. Or my sister, who travels solo. It’s not just a place to sleep. It’s clean and safe. And it’s well designed.”
Stay at The Aloha motel
The Aloha is just one of many midcentury roadside hotels, motor courts, and motels that are being given new life through period-appropriate renovations. We’ve featured a few of them, including the El Vado Motel, The Egyptian Motor Hotel, and Hotel Zazz.
A stay here at The Aloha is ideal for everyone from out-of-state vacationers who are looking for affordable accommodations to Valley residents in need of a fun staycation. Piedi says the motel has played host to traveling nurses, golfers, and even entire wedding parties. Here, you’re just minutes away from some of downtown Chandler’s best dining and entertainment. The Aloha is a six-minute walk from the Chandler Center for the Arts. Or about a half-mile from downtown’s breweries, restaurants, and shopping.
Rooms at The Aloha motel average between $55 and $65 per night, depending on the season. And all rooms are wheelchair accessible, and the motel is pet- and child-friendly. You can also compare rates and book your stay at Hotels.com.
A sign on the back of each room door sums up the motel’s vibe. “Aloha. Hello/goodbye. Hello is a welcoming arrival and goodbye is a well-wishing departure. Between the two is you — here — temporarily living in freedom from your ordinary.”
