Motel Maroondah

Stepping into a time capsule, let’s rewind to 1963. Motel Maroondah freshly opened its doors on Whitehorse Road. It was part of a wave of American-style motels popping up across Melbourne. Imagine those sleek, low-slung buildings, promising a taste of the American dream. Motel Maroondah boasted a striking A-frame red roof and a classic neon sign. The main building formed a U-shape, embracing a courtyard where guests could park their cars. Single-story units lined the reception side, while two-story blocks offered rooms above and parking below. Fast forward a few decades, and the motel’s golden age had faded. The once-vibrant rooms now held a mix of budget travelers and long-term residents. A stay at Motel Maroondah became an adventure in itself. Guests reported mismatched bathroom tiles, cigarette burns on the bedspreads, and the occasional welded-shut door lock. The amenities, like the one-star energy rating fridge and the “Lady Linda” hairdryer, became quirky relics of the past. Despite the wear and tear, the motel still offered glimpses of its former glory. The geometric felted green circles on the bedhead hinted at the 70s aesthetic. Messages scrawled on cupboard doors offered unexpected connections to the present. Outside, the bustling highway provided a constant soundtrack. The scent of cigarette smoke mingled with the aroma of dumplings from nearby Box Hill. Motel Maroondah, in its own unique way, became a microcosm of Australian life. A place where faded grandeur met everyday struggles, and where every guest had a story to tell.