Summary

Ash Maharaj, owner of the Harmony Motel, shares the history and significance of motels and the Harmony Motel in the Joshua Tree area. The motel was built in 1958 and has a mid-century design with a large courtyard and open windows. The name 'Harmony' comes from the musical notes on the sign. The motel gained fame when the band U2 stayed there during the making of their Joshua Tree album. Other notable guests include Snow Patrol and the filming of the movie 'Crazy Beautiful'. Ash Maharaj, originally from South Africa, came to the US in 2000 and decided to stay after the tragic loss of her mother. She purchased the Harmony Motel in 2004 and has been running it successfully for 20 years. Ash, the owner of Harmony Motel, discusses the challenges and rewards of owning a small motel in a small town. She talks about the unique experience of meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cultures. Ash also shares the economic challenges she faced, including the 2008 crash and the rise of Airbnb. Despite the challenges, she appreciates the freedom and flexibility of being her own boss. Ash emphasizes the importance of booking directly through the motel's website to support small businesses.

Takeaways

Motels originated in the US as convenient and accessible accommodations along highways.
The Harmony Motel, built in 1958, has a mid-century design and is known for its musical notes on the sign.
The motel gained fame when U2 stayed there during the making of their Joshua Tree album.
Ash Maharaj, the owner of the Harmony Motel, has successfully run the business for 20 years. Owning a small motel allows you to meet people from all over the world and learn about different cultures.
Running a small business requires constant adaptation to economic challenges, such as market fluctuations and competition.
Being your own boss provides freedom and flexibility, but also comes with the responsibility of marketing and maintaining the business.
Booking directly through the motel's website helps support small businesses by avoiding high commissions from third-party booking platforms.

Harmony Motel Website for Booking

https://www.harmonymotel.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/harmonymotel/