Before the renovation and before freeways and interstates connected Arizona, Arizona Avenue was a major thoroughfare catering to late-night Aloha patrons.
CHANDLER, Arizona – From a run-down motel to an Instagram-worthy new boutique property, the Aloha Motel in Chandler has undergone quite a transformation.
The Aloha, originally built in 1950, has undergone a renovation focused on more high-tech services, while keeping its historic charm as it welcomes new customers from thousands of miles away.
Before the renovation and before freeways and interstates connected Arizona, Arizona Avenue was a major thoroughfare catering to late-night Aloha patrons.
John Hylton is one of the new owners of the property.
“I spoke to people who stayed here in the 50s and it was a very sought after place,” Hylton said.
As faster transportation cut through the desert, Arizona Avenue and historic Aloha, with its colorful tikis and mid-century look, receded into the distance. Chandler’s director of economic development, Micah Miranda, said the city had seen many changes by then.
“We have seen fewer stays at our traditional roadside accommodations such as the Aloha Motel,” Miranda said.
That is until John Hylton and his partner bought the property in 2019.
“When we saw this it was in pretty bad shape and had been neglected over the years,” Hylton said. “We initially thought it would be a good opportunity to convert it into apartments at the time.”
But the pandemic hit soon after Hylton became one of the property’s new owners.
“We saw a lot of people who wanted to come out of isolation and go check in somewhere and they didn’t really want the hotel experience where they go to a lobby,” Hylton said.
So a motel where property managers once lived on-site has turned into a state-of-the-art Airbnb-style hotspot, where guests send messages through an app if they need something in their room.
“And within 20 minutes someone will come, if you’re missing a towel if you’re missing something,” Hylton said. “Housekeeping is done daily.”
Maintaining the historic island charm of the motel through renovations is important to Hylton. The updated 26-room property has in-room kitchens, beach art, and a redone pool.
“Aloha history, I think we just started a new chapter,” Hylton said.
It’s the place where new-age guests can make new memories between saying hello and goodbye, at Aloha.
Hylton added that they were gathering feedback from customers on what they would like the building in the middle of the property to transform. It was used for a property management place to sleep in during the day. He said they could add more rooms, an exercise or business center.
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