Holiday Motel

Can you imagine a motel sign so vibrant it could rival the Las Vegas Strip’s neon glow? The Holiday Motel sign was exactly that. The Holiday Motel itself, nestled on Las Vegas Boulevard, has a story as colorful as its former sign. Built in 1952, it was initially called the Holiday Inn. Despite sharing the same name and birth year as Kemmon Wilson’s famous chain, the Holiday Motel had no connection. The name was changed to Holiday Motel in 1958, marking a distinct identity for this Vegas gem. This motel epitomized the Googie architecture that dominated mid-century modern American businesses. Its location, just a short hop from the Sahara Casino, also built in 1952, added to its appeal. The Holiday Motel offered 93 air-conditioned rooms. These rooms featured king-sized beds, black and white TVs (later upgraded to color), and telephones. A refreshing pool completed the motel’s amenities. Now, let’s talk about that unforgettable sign. Erected between August 1956 and February 1958, the sign initially displayed “Holiday Inn,” but was later updated to “Holiday Motel.” It was a Googie masterpiece. The pylon sign boasted a vibrant palette of blue, red, and yellow. Multicolored neon letters popped against this backdrop. An arrow, a hallmark of the Holiday Inn signs, pointed towards the motel entrance. This arrow featured a captivating “chaser” light. Incandescent bulbs danced along the arrow from tail to tip, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. The sign’s square portion proudly proclaimed “Holiday Motel.” Above the arrow, a semi-circular rainbow design added a touch of whimsy. Five metal rods tipped with circles extended from the rainbow. At night, these rods and circles came alive, moving back and forth in a rhythmic tick-tock motion. The side facing the road displayed the word “MOTEL” in bold white letters encased in red circles. Sadly, the Holiday Motel and its iconic sign were sold in 2018. The motel was transformed into boutique apartments four years later. While the new owners initially planned to preserve the sign, it has since vanished. The story of the Holiday Motel is a reminder to appreciate the unique roadside attractions that dot our landscapes, before they disappear.