The Mysa Motel Champions Circular Hospitality
As the global tourism industry recalibrates in the wake of climate urgency, rising traveller expectations, and the mounting pressure that travel and hospitality operations place on natural resources, a small retro motel on Queensland’s southern Gold Coast is leading by example. The Mysa Motel, a restored 1960s-era property in Palm Beach, has emerged as a model for circular hospitality — the concept of building, operating, and regenerating tourism spaces with minimal waste, maximum reuse, and a deep commitment to community.
Co-founded by husband-and-wife duo Jason and Eliza Raine, The Mysa Motel was never intended to be just another boutique hotel. The pair took over the old, inarguably iconic, Palm Trees Motel in 2019 and, over two years, transformed it into a seven-room sustainable sanctuary that honours the original architecture while introducing smart, low-impact systems that quietly shape the guest experience.
Rather than demolish and rebuild, Jason and Eliza preserved the building’s original layout and façade, reusing hardwood ceiling trusses, salvaging breeze blocks from nearby sites, and sourcing end-of-line tiles and finishes from local suppliers. “It wasn’t about doing what was easiest,” says Jason. “It was about doing what made the most sense for the planet — and for our community.”
That commitment to circularity extends beyond the physical build. The motel is entirely solar powered, with rainwater tanks servicing toilets and gardens. Rooms are fitted with filtered water taps to eliminate single-use bottles, and all bathroom amenities are housed in refillable dispensers. The guest experience is deliberately designed to reduce waste and maximise comfort – from digital compendiums and contactless check-in – to natural ventilation supported by extended windows and Crimsafe sliding doors. Each detail has been carefully considered, not just for environmental benefit, but to create a stay that feels intuitive, seamless, and hyper-local.
What sets The Mysa Motel apart, though, is the way it embeds sustainability into the cultural and economic fabric of its community. Every tradesperson involved in the renovation was Gold Coast-based. Cleaning supplies, linens, furnishings, and even drink coasters were sourced from nearby small businesses. Each guest is welcomed with a Mysa Cosy Pack featuring snacks and beverages from local producers like The Laughing Pug.
The digital guest compendium encourages visitors to explore Palm Beach’s independent cafes, studios and retailers, many of which now report increased visitation thanks to their inclusion. “Supporting local isn’t a tagline,” says Jason. “It’s the core of how we operate. It’s better for the environment and it’s better for business.”
This approach is striking a chord with today’s traveller. According to Expedia Group’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Study, 76% of global consumers say they would choose a property with sustainable practices over one without — even if it meant paying more. Similarly, Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainability Report found that 74% of travellers want to leave the places they visit better than they found them. For a generation of guests who are looking to align their values with their vacations, places like Mysa represent a new benchmark — where low impact doesn’t mean low design or low experience.
Beyond accommodation, The Mysa Motel has diversified its offering with full motel charters, creative shoots, and wellness-focused elopement packages. It has hosted brand campaigns for Cotton On, Rhythm and The Iconic, while also offering emergency accommodation to families impacted by the Northern Rivers floods.
Jason and Eliza also provide work experience opportunities to local students, and regularly donate stays to charity initiatives like the Mick Fanning Golf Day and Bravehearts’ Clyde Harvey campaigns. “We’re small, but we can still do big things,” Jason says. “We want to show that circular hospitality isn’t just for new builds or big brands. It’s a mindset, and anyone can adopt it.”
He adds: “We didn’t set out to create a ‘sustainable motel’ — we just asked ourselves how to do things better, every step of the way. That thinking has become the backbone of our business. And more than ever, our guests are telling us it’s exactly what they’ve been looking for.”
As the tourism sector continues its shift toward more conscious consumption, The Mysa Motel is proof that retro can be relevant — and that circular hospitality, when done with care and intention, can be good for the planet, good for people, and good for business.
