Husband-and-wife duo Jason and Eliza Raine never intended for The Mysa Motel at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast 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 with the project emerging 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.
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.
The motel is 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.
Every tradesperson involved in the renovation was Gold Coast-based. Cleaning supplies, linens and furnishings – 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.
“It wasn’t about doing what was easiest,” Jason said, “It was about doing what made the most sense for the planet – and for our community.”
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,” Jason added. “It’s the core of how we operate. It’s better for the environment and it’s better for business.”
According to Expedia Group’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Study, 76 per cent 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 per cent 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.
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 said. “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.
“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.”
