Retro travel trailers transformed into luxury suites
Retro travel trailers transformed into luxury suites
In an idyllic setting on the banks of Virginia's Shenandoah River, the Luray Resort recently launched a unique concept: 10 luxury hotel suites made from converted retro Airstream trailers from the 1970s.
This bold project, carried out by the Maison Carolina team on behalf of CUSTOM AIRSTREAM, brings together comfort, luxury and originality, while retaining the retro vehicles’ timeless charm.
An outstanding transformation
Each hotel suite is housed in a 31-foot Airstream trailer and provides a modern, luxurious living space. The major challenge of this project was transforming these small spaces into complete hotel rooms while optimizing every available square centimeter. The interior had to include a comfortable bedroom, a lounge area with a sofa bed, a bathroom with a shower, as well as a bar area and cleverly integrated storage.
To this end, the Maison Carolina team chose modern and aesthetically pleasing materials that would also be practical and resistant to the stresses of a mobile vehicle. Formica® brand products and FENIX® innovative materials were among the chosen materials that played a key role in the project’s success.
Carefully selected materials
Formica® brand products were used in several strategic areas of each suite to ensure an elegant and functional result. For the counter and bedside table surfaces, Formica Group's Everform® Solid Surface, Tumbled Glass (413), was chosen for its soft texture and refined appearance. This material offers a hard-wearing, easy-to-maintain finish, essential in a small space where use is intensive.
The walls, particularly those in the bathroom, were clad in Neutral Weft (5875-58) Formica® laminate, a simple, elegant design that blends perfectly with the overall look and feel of the project, while being durable and easy to clean.
Meanwhile, the bar area was fitted out with FENIX® innovative materials in Rosso Jaipur (J0751), a matte, soft-touch material, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for relaxing after a day of outdoor adventure.
Finally, the wall storage units were made with ColorCore®2, in Planked Urban Oak (9312-58), a modern and robust material that created visual continuity throughout the suite.
One of the biggest challenges of this project was ensuring that the materials chosen could be easily accessed and shipped internationally. Formica® and FENIX® brand products were able to meet this requirement, offering a wide range of products that were readily available, with a system of samples that were easy to obtain and send. This accessibility enabled the design office to easily make informed decisions.
The project was a true creative, innovative and collaborative adventure. “It was a magnificent achievement, full of challenges and learning experiences,” says designer Carolina Auz. “We're very pleased with the high-quality materials chosen, thanks to which each space combines comfort, functionality and aesthetics.”
Without a doubt, the goal of preserving the authenticity and nostalgia of vintage travel trailers while offering customers a top-of-the-range experience was successfully achieved!
Photos: Drew Hadley / CUSTOM AIRSTREAM (copyright)
