JP Hospitality, known for hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Choice Hotels, and Best Western Hotels, announced their new “Pan Am Hotel” brand at this year’s Expo Real in Munich. Inspired by the “golden age of travel,” and echoing a possible return for the airline, the project hopes to reinvent the airport hotel experience. Within the project, the company promises to include “consistent 24/7 service,” as well as a focus on “brand, design, innovation, services, and gastronomy.” As our analog tech was also inspired by the golden age of travel, we couldn’t wait to speculate what would be included in the hotels, which will be decorated in the popular mid-century modern style.
Image via eBay, depicting the vintage Pan Am airline adverts.
Mid-Century Modern Design: Trending Upwards in 2025
When one thinks of mid-century modern, a lot of pop culture references come to mind. There’s the sets and costumes of popular shows like Mad Men and the appropriately named Pan Am (gone before it’s time), films like The Fantastic Four (2025) set in a retro futuristic world, as well as names like Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen. The emergence of the design style, however, may be more present than ever, and it’s not a coincidence that people are seeing it all over their Instagram and Pinterest feeds.
Marriott’s Le Meridien Indianapolis is a sophisticated, grounded space that reimagines mid-century modern design.Image via Marriott.com.
Here are the facts (with the assistance of Accio.com):
- Amazon search volume for mid-century sofas and loveseats rose 65.8% from February to June 2024, with demand led by small families and young adults.
- Search interest for “mid-century modern furniture” peaked at 85 on Google Trends in May 2025, up from 45 in June 2024, reflecting consistent year-over-year growth.
- Inspired by these trends, designer collaborations (such as Herman Miller) are fueling nostalgia-driven demand even further.
People are interested in the simplicity, bold colors, and natural wood associated with the style, also favoring authentic mid-century items due to their durability and resale value. But what does mid-century modern design look like in practice, especially for hotel brands like JP Hospitality who need to execute it at scale?
Mid-Century Modern Design: The Essentials of Retro Boutique Hotel Design
When a guest thinks “mid-century modern,” a few key elements come to mind, such as hybrid modern amenities (mixing retro design with the latest technology), cozy communal environments with retro futuristic interiors, and overall, a space that uses layered storytelling to bring people into the experience. Then, there are must-haves that may not be top of mind for guests, but provide the assurance and excitement that transform stays into opportunities to gain cultural capital, such as playful surprises (hidden speakeasies, anyone?) as well as sustainability initiatives.
The Standard Hotel in Miami nails the aesthetic of retro boutique hotel decor, with conversation style couches and ambient lighting. Image via Hotels.com.
So if we were JP Hospitality (or any other brand approaching a mid-century modern design), here’s how we’d tackle the project.
Hybrid Modern Amenities
One of the best known features of a mid-century modern design are the hybrid modern amenities, such as domestic technology, especially in areas of comfort and convenience. There are the privacy blinds that can be controlled with a remote, voice assistants that can take room service orders, and smart lighting that can brighten or dim to match any vibe. Overall, the best of these technologies drastically improve the quality of life, especially in a retro boutique hotel setting.
Villa La Coste in France is a hotel where the technology feels invisible, helping guests immerse themselves in the five star amenities the resort has to offer. Image via Villa La Coste.
The aesthetic of these technologies matter as well, such as kitchen appliances with futuristic flair (such as the popular SMEG and Cafe appliance lines), high-fidelity stereo systems, and bookcases with library ladders. If we were planning a mid-century modern design, we’d focus on balancing technology with functionality, careful to blend digital elements so they’re almost “invisible” within the minimal decor. People expect to feel like they’ve stepped into the 60s and 70s, without losing the ease of living in the 2020s. This must translate to a hotel stay.
Cozy Communal Environments
When mid-century modern design faded out in the 80s and 90s in favor of open floor plans, so did features like sunken conversation pits, trendy at-home bars, catwalks, dens, and more. Now, we’re seeing that many of these eclectic designs and cozy communal spaces are making a big comeback. With people shifting back to prioritizing face-to-face interactions and architectural whimsy, boutique hotels can meet trends head-on by incorporating al fresco seating zones and listening lounges. However, if we were planning a retro boutique hotel decor, we’d prioritize finding inventive ways to make these designs future-proof.
Kex Hostel in Reykjavik, Iceland has multiple community areas within their lobby area, using various mid-century modern decor items to add color and character to the space. Image via Kex Hostel Reykjavik.
Many hotels, for instance, have incorporated sunken lounges within their lobbies without going fully into the mid-century modern aesthetic. Additional spaces, such as libraries, cafes, game rooms, a screening area, and communal dining, can also foster engagement and provide quiet pockets for solitude – without necessarily feeling too “futuristic”. The key is balancing useful spaces with intriguing decor, creating environments that break the monotony of a typical hotel stay without feeling like a museum exhibit.
Sustainable Elements of Retro Futuristic Interiors
Retro futuristic interiors are popular because they’re artistic and different – something to note for brands that may just be envisioning something out of The Jetsons. The traditional retro futuristic color palette, which includes teal, mustard yellow, orange, and avocado green, as well as futuristic whites, beige, powder blues, and grays, can become tired when overdone or unimaginative. In our ideal retro boutique hotel decor, we’d focus on creating an escape from the norm without going full Star Trek.
The Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah, GA, has a clean, polished look, drawing from elements of mid-century modern decor. Image via The Perry Lane Hotel.
For brands, this may mean incorporating the smartest and most functional elements of the desired aesthetic. This can be where using sustainable materials makes a huge difference, investing in natural wood and stone that will stand the test of time, rather than geometric linoleum or patterned wallpaper that will need a refresh in five years. Major focal points that also fit into the retro futuristic look can be a huge game changer (such as a retro wall stereo system or moving wall art) – as it’s a differentiator and future-proof.
Layered Storytelling
One of the most magical and appealing aspects of the “Pan Am” era was the feeling of adventure. At the beginning of using aviation for leisure, the sense of stepping off a plane into a new culture and community was thrilling, and still excites travelers today. If we were responsible for aligning the Pan Am hotel project with a mid-century modern design, we’d focus on layered storytelling that brings this theme to life.
Jusandi in Ishigaki Island. Image via Michelin Guide.
Hotels such as Jusandi in Ishigaki Island, have shown that it’s possible to balance it all. Led by architect Norihiko Dan, the hotel became a reflection of the community, while still incorporating elements of mid-century and minimalist design. The result is a fresh, clean space infused with local culture.
The Monkey Tree Hotel, located in the capital of mid-century modern, Palm Springs, CA, is another example of a space that aligns with the mid-century vibe without feeling like a caricature. Each suite is uniquely decorated with a bold color palette, as well as amenities like fire pits, lounge chairs, and backyard games that feel luxurious in their simplicity. The hotel also has sweeping views of Mount San Jacinto, making each guest feel like they’ve stepped into a true desert oasis.
The New “Pan Am Hotel” Brand: What We Hope to See
The new “Pan Am Hotel” brand has a lot of opportunity, especially in targeting a type of hotel that traditionally, feels like “just somewhere to crash” for airline travelers. Based on the insights shared above, here’s what we hope to see out of the new hotels in 2028.
-
A true 24/7 concierge: Luxury is convenience. We hope to see the brand lean into this with their promise to provide 24/7 support, meaning that if we forget our electric toothbrush at home, they can procure one – without having to spend a ton of money through a delivery app.
-
Futuristic inspired tech that engages: We love the look of appliances like SMEG, but in a mid-century modern hotel, features like these should serve a purpose, not just be there for show. The same goes for record players, mid-century floor lamps, built-in intercoms, and other analog tech. Include them in rooms or shared spaces where guests can actually use and enjoy them.
-
An airline and travel theme that doesn’t feel like a gimmick: We don’t want to necessarily feel like we’re staying at a 1960s airport, but rather, in a space that recaptures the magic of early travel. This lightning in a bottle feeling looks like spaces that foster random connections and conversations, escapism, and sophistication we can’t have at home (something that may possibly set them apart from the TWA Hotel….)
-
A throwback to a 1960s social experience: In the 60s, people actually socialized through dinner parties, bowling leagues, dance crazes, playing cards and attending festivals. We hope to see the Pan Am hotel experience tap into some of those social opportunities on a smaller scale.
-
A return to ephemera and slow travel: Before digital tickets and the replacement of analog Solari displays in airports, travel was an opportunity for passengers to unplug from their day to day lives. The postcard was the out-of-office email reply. We hope to see the Pan Am hotels only use digital where it matters the most, and find other ways to present and share information where it doesn’t.
Overall, the Pan Am Hotel is a promising destination for travelers seeking a genuine touch of luxury. Whether arriving late after a long flight, waiting out a layover, or savoring one final night of rest before heading home, it proves that airport hotels are long overdue for a modern reimagining.