This alley cat who no one wanted to go near has now become the place everyone wants to stay, with the whole neighbourhood anticipating its opening ever since the refurbishment began.
The husband and wife team behind the new-look motel, Matty Roberts and Monique Luchterhand, know the significance of the original The Cheshire Cat Motel, as they both grew up and live in the neighbourhood.
“It was so important not to knock the building down to make way for another apartment tower,” said Matty.
Retaining the 1960s retro style but refurbishing that to our modern comforts, the freshly renovated boutique motel boasts seven luxe rooms, all unique in design, and one two-bedroom bungalow for a larger group of sun seekers.
Matty and Monique have leaned into the Australian beachside lifestyle they love, with the new licks of paint – a palette of burnt orange, creamy whites and pale eucalypt green – giving a summer feel to the motel all year round. A lush plunge pool was added at the front to really give the neighbours something to talk about.
With the beach 200 metres from your doorstep, there might not be much lounging around the deck, but the pool deck known as ‘Le Plunge’, framed with lush greenery and cacti, will be available to book for photoshoots and events.
The Cheshire Cat Motel’s new owners also know the importance of community. A terrace space for co-working and a soon-to-open studio for artist residences as well as beauty and wellness treatments is an offering that will expand the use of the motel to Gold Coast locals.
“We wanted to keep the spirit of the Cheshire Cat alive in Palm Beach,” said Matty. “It’s a building that has been around for such a long time here, with so many classic stories to tell of its bygone past. Now we’re focused on adding to that tapestry with a new chapter in the life of ‘The Cat’.”
The Cheshire Cat Motel opens Friday January 19, 2024. To find out more or book a room, head to The Cheshire Cat Motel website.
First image credit: Jack Phillips
Image credit two – five: Andy McPherson
