Rustic Wild West motel well off the beaten track in Joshua Tree, California
Pioneertown Motel / Pioneertown / CA / USA
This motel is described as Joshua Tree’s best kept secret. And this might be the case, but I don’t think it will stay this way for long. Ok, let me start from the beginning.
This unique and somewhat odd town was founded back in 1946 by a group of Hollywood entertainment profiles for filming western movies. It is located in the high desert of California in the Morongo Basin. The ambition was to make this place look like a western town would back in 1880s. Since it was created, more than 200 films and series have been filmed here.
The motel was built for people in production, for them to have place to stay during filmning. Today it is owned by Mike and Matt French, who also owns one of my favorite hotels, Captain Whidbey Inn, just outside Seattle, Washington.
The motel has 19 guest rooms plus a separate cottage and is a tribute to the Wild West and breaths Americana. The rooms are filled with locally designed furniture and has a look that evokes a sensation of being part of a classic TV-show like “the Little House on the Prairie” or “How the West was won”. The look is rustic but still very cozy and warm and the service is equally so. This is truly a one-of-a-kind place where you can fully live out your Wild West fantasy.
Open, winding roads will lead you through the California High Desert to Pioneertown.
Welcome to Pioneertown Motel. This must be the cutest reception ever.
The cute little shop, located in the reception cottage.
Regardless of what your means of transportation is, there is parking for everyone.
The 19 guest rooms are to be found in this long wooden building.
Our rustic and cozy room with a look that feels like modern version of the old wild west.
The graphic profile fits so well with the general look and feel of the hotel.
Vintage lamps and a head board made of burnt wood makes for a lovely combo.
Just look at this light switch in our room. Beautiful!
Our bathroom was just as rustic looking as the room. I love dark bath rooms. A great way to create a more snug feeling.
A hotel hack is to always bring a scented candle with you when you travel. It is a great way to create some ambience and to set your own scent. I try plan ahead and think of a scent that will fit the setting.
This must be the best looking ice cream parlor ever. Especially with this vintage golf car parked outside.
Close to the motel is one of the most stunning sights in California, Joshua Tree National Park.
The high desert landscape is so barren and dramatic.
M is going for a hike to explore the park.
Me enjoying the view of the valley and the snowy mountains in the background.
A short walk from the motel there is a great little bar that you have to visit. The Red Dog is a good place to hang with the locals…
…and they also serve some mean tacos.
Sun is setting over Pioneertown and the characteristic Joshua Trees, and it is time to go back to the motel room, put on something warm (hello cashmere socks!) and call it a night.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…want to experience something out of the ordinary. When you arrive it is hard to say at first if this place is for real or not. If you have a dream of living out your Wild West fantasy together with other escaping LA hipsters, then this is totally your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the remoteness and the tranquility. It is crazy to think when you are here that glitzy, decadent Palm Springs is just a 30 min drive away. Here it is all about rural, mountainous, secluded calm.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…to go star gazing. The light pollution is at a minimum here in the Morongo Basin. In addition it is a must to go to Red Dog for tacos and beers as well as to go for breakfast at Frontier Café down in Yucca Valley, a 6 min drive from the motel. Or 3 min when you have forgotten your wallet like mr RG himself.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
Captain Whidbey Inn, Whidbey Island, WA, USA
El Cosmico, Marfa, TX, USA
Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA
