The world's first motel opened 100 years ago, but now only ruins remain

CNN

19-04-2025

This week in travel news: the original 'motor hotel' sits abandoned, the world's busiest airports are ranked, and how to move abroad without messing it up.
Hotels and guesthouses have existed for centuries. But the motel was born in 1925 when an architect named Arthur Heineman came up with the idea for a 'motor hotel,' shortened to 'motel.'
The concept was simple but effective: Now that more and more people had cars and were going on road trips, they needed places where they could stop and stay the night along the way. Thus Heineman paired low-cost rooms with small garages where guests could safely park their cars — all for $1.25 a night.
The Milestone Mo-Tel was located in San Luis Obispo, California, which CNN Travel named one of the best towns to visit in America last year. It's located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and rooms at the motel had modern-for-the-time conveniences like hot showers and indoor carpeting. The design was inspired by the nearby Spanish mission.
The original Milestone Mo-Tel, later called the Motel Inn, closed in 1991 and has been abandoned, but Heineman's idea still lives on 100 years later.
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Ahead of the big summer travel season, Airports Council International (ACI) World released its annual roundup of the world's busiest airports based on the number of people served.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been in the No. 1 spot for 26 of the last 27 years, with 2020 (when the pandemic threw the travel industry for a loop) being the only exception.
Dallas, Denver, Dubai and Delhi also landed in the top 10. Check out the full list for more.
But flying is about more than just lists and rankings. Australian airline Qantas is bringing back a version of its famous 'Kangaroo route,' which traveled from Sydney to London with some fun layovers along the way.
The new itinerary lasts 14 days, with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Kolkata, Colombo, Cairo, Toulouse and Rome. It includes all meals, hotels, transfers and tours, which include perks like a private walkthrough at the Vatican Museums. The cost? A cool 49,950 Australian dollars (about $32,000) per person.
Souvenirs can remind us of previous trips and help re-create the inspiring feeling of seeing the Great Wall of China or the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Besides being cute, some souvenirs have deep meaning.
In Japan, one of the most popular gifts is a Daruma. These round red dolls are ubiquitous at temples around the country, but they actually serve a very special purpose: People who buy Darumas are supposed to set a goal for themselves, paint one of the doll's eyes, and then only fill in the second when the goal is achieved.
Over in the United States, an unexpected place has become a souvenir hot spot: the Trader Joe's grocery store chain.
Although shoppers can get the usual fresh produce, the brand known as TJ's has become 'the Disneyland of American grocery stores,' with travelers from around the world heading here for branded tote bags and Instagrammable treats.
One of the most popular products is the 'everything but the bagel' seasoning blend, but be careful — South Korea has banned the item because of the presence of poppy seeds.
Overdid it while shopping on vacation and worried you won't be able to fit all your purchases in your suitcase? Our friends at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have rounded up the best luggage organizers.
When California resident Keith Richardson started thinking about where he wanted to move, he had some interesting requirements — his new home had to be near the sea and not near a Starbucks or McDonald's.
Richardson found his dream house in the small town of Nardò, Italy, where he plans to spend as much time as possible post-retirement.
He's one of many Americans who are considering relocating to Europe for a different kind of life. If the whole process seems overwhelming, these relocation experts have some advice for you.
UNESCO's latest Global Geopark is in … North Korea.
Mount Paektu is where Kim Jong Il said he was born.
The White Lotus season 3 is over.
But you can still visit all the filming locations in Thailand.
Two strangers met at the Eiffel Tower and fell in love.
No, not a romcom — this is real life.
Tuvalu is one of the world's least-visited countries.
And as of last week it has its first ATMs.