Palm Springs holds one of the world’s largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern architecture. Hundreds of period buildings constructed between 1945 and 1975 still stand. Then Trixie Mattel bought one and painted it pink…
Not just any pink. The drag superstar and her designer tested dozens of shades before settling on Dunn-Edwards ‘Sweet Sixteen’. They called it “one of the most important decisions” because the exterior set the stage for everything inside.
Read on to discover (and maybe even book a room at) the worlds first ever Drag Queen Motel..!
The Drag Queen Turning Real Estate Into Art
Bizarre But True! Trixie Mattel won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2018 after placing sixth on Season 7. Since then, she’s built what industry sources estimate as a $10 million empire – considered second only to RuPaul herself in commercial success amongst drag performers!
The business portfolio includes Trixie Cosmetics (a professional makeup line), multiple Billboard-charting albums, a New York Times bestselling book with comedy partner Katya Zamolodchikova and the wildly popular YouTube series UNHhhh. RuPaul himself told Jimmy Kimmel: “Trixie Mattel is so rich now.”
The motel represents her most ambitious physical venture yet – described as “half Barbie, half birthday clown” architecture!
Eye Watering Numbers
Mattel dropped $1.9 million on the property plus another $500,000 for renovations. Total commitment: $2.4 million.
The timeline? Four months to gut and rebuild seven bedrooms, a reception lounge, bar and pool area. This happened during pandemic supply chain chaos too. The entire transformation became an eight-part Discovery+ series. The first drag queen to create a hospitality empire…!
Seven Rooms & Seven Universes
Each room functions as its own immersive art experience. The Pink Flamingo Suite uses decorative lamps gifted by Lisa Vanderpump. The ‘Oh’ Honeymoon Suite features bee-themed hex wallpaper with zig-zag flooring in mustard, orange and dandelion.
The Yeehaw Cowgirl Suite nearly didn’t happen. Supply chain issues forced a last-minute flooring pivot. Project manager David Rios even tested the vinyl wood floor’s durability by dancing on it in high heels!
Sadly that moment never made it to air(!)
Harder Than Performing for 400 People
Mattel admitted the renovation made her more nervous than performing comedy tap dancing for 400 people. “Renovating is harder than anything else I’ve done,” she said. “Everything pales in comparison.”
The property started as Ruby Montana’s Coral Sands Inn. Mattel discovered it whilst online shopping. She demolished brown shag carpeting and outdated electrical systems. Neglected spaces got stripped back to basics.
Eyepopping Theming…!
Rates start at $550 per night with a two-night minimum and rooms can book out months ahead!
Guests report the property is like staying in attraction as much as it’s a motel, with some people even extending stays because they don’t want to leave! Non-guests can make reservations just to visit the Barbara Bar, which requires advance booking due to limited seating.
The motel sits right off Palm Canyon Drive, walking distance to restaurants and the city centre. Palm Springs added another mid-century landmark to its collection. This one just happens to be bright pink and run by a drag superstar.
Book your room at Trixie Motel and pick which reality you want to wake up in.
FIND & BOOK NOW
PRICE : ★★★★☆
WOW FACTOR : ★★★★☆
BIZARRENESS : ★★★★★
