My Journey to America
Twenty years ago, I began an unexpected journey that changed my life forever.
What started as a move from South Africa to the United States eventually became a story of healing, resilience, and finding a new home in California’s Mojave Desert.
Today, as I celebrate twenty years of owning Harmony Motel I’m grateful for every guest, every challenge, and every lesson along the way.
I am South African in nationality with East Indian origins and emigrated to the U.S. over two decades ago when I tragically lost my mom to a brutal crime in South Africa.
Now a proud U.S. citizen, like most immigrant stories, the move here wasn’t without its challenges.
Finding Harmony in the Mojave Desert
In 2004, I acquired the vintage Harmony Motel, in the City of Twentynine Palms, the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. Just minutes from the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, our motel has become a welcoming base for travelers exploring the beauty of the Mojave Desert,in California’s iconic southern Desert.
This rural city has a history of pioneers, home settlers, and native American tribes that made 29 Palms their home.
As an immigrant, I happily embraced this pioneering spirit of the City of 29 Palms. For me, I felt, in the words of Larry from the U2 band that the “desert is a transitional place. It doesn’t have a kind of right or wrong, nor any kind of strong personality.”
Its vast open spaces and rugged desolate landscapes with abandoned cabins, and minimalist small towns, conjures up images of the hardship and struggles that the initial settlers and Indian tribes had in the Mojave Desert. It also speaks of their strength and tenacity to survive in the desert.
Today, the Mojave Desert has become an incredible outdoor playground where visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and unforgettable places like Indian Cove, one of Joshua Tree National Park’s most scenic areas. and a nature lovers’ dream space.
Restoring Harmony Motel
In the last two decades, I have been actively creating a space for travelers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert.
Today, Harmony Motel serves as a peaceful oasis and gateway to Joshua Tree National Park.
Here, guests can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the desert through our native landscaping, peaceful gardens, pool area, and authentic Mojave-inspired décor.
Whether guests spend the day hiking the 49 Palms Oasis Trail, exploring Joshua Tree National Park, or simply relaxing beneath the desert sky, my goal has always been to provide a peaceful place to return to.
Harmony Motel is a peaceful oasis in the Mojave Desert, embracing the natural beauty of both the desert landscape and nearby Joshua Tree National Park. This connection to nature is reflected throughout the property in our native, sustainable gardens, peaceful grounds, inviting pool area, and thoughtfully curated décor. From motifs inspired by rural desert living to artwork created by local artists, every detail celebrates the spirit of the High Desert.
Moreover,guests are often delighted by unexpected encounters with local wildlife, such as a roadrunner scurrying across the grounds, making every stay feel like an authentic desert experience.
I, a single female immigrant, have proudly been the owner and operator of Harmony Motel since 2004, and it is with great pride that 2024 marks my 20th anniversary.
Supporting Sustainable Tourism
As a proud advocate of sustainable tourism, I dedicated six years voluntarily as the Vice Chair of Visit 29 Palms, the city’s Tourism Business Improvement District, providing strategic oversight and bringing creativity to the city’s tourism marketing efforts.
I am most proud of our work supporting the local arts community, our national park, and new partnerships with organizations such as Leave No Trace.
Twenty Years of Welcoming Travelers
Over the last 20 years, it’s been my pleasure to host travelers from throughout the world. Local builders constructed Harmony Motel in 1958. One of the few motels of the time that still exists today.
Harmonious with its environment, this 8-unit rustic desert property has provided a tranquil, joyous atmosphere to guests visiting the Joshua Tree National Park area.
I continue to be humbled by my guests’ appreciation and gratefulness for what this small little motel offers by way of amenities, services, location, and ambiance.
This guest appreciation has created a milestone over the last four years and made the Harmony Motel an award-winning property by being the recipient of TripAdvisor’s Travels Choice Award
Harmony Motel has now been honored with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for seven consecutive years, placing it among the top 10% of hotels worldwide based on guest reviews.
During the remodeling of this quaint motel, I was inspired and motivated by its location and history in the hi-desert area of Southern California.
The Harmony Motel with its iconic sign “music notes” adds character to the identity of the motel, creating a vintage ambiance of music and romance.
U2 and Harmony Motel’s Musical History
To my surprise, when I purchased the motel, I learned of U2’s visit to the Harmony Motel during the making of their Joshua Tree Album. This created significance for my purchase of the motel because of the U2 history with South Africa.
I am a great fan of the band. I was introduced to the band by a good friend of mine in the eighties, at university, a friend who was a freedom activist fighting for the freedom of our beloved late President Nelson Mandela. That is how I learned of the U2 band and the numerous causes that they helped Africa with. Hence, I became a fan, and my favorite album is the Joshua Tree album.
The roadside motel gained popularity when the iconic rock band U2 visited the Harmony during a photo shoot with the sign as a backdrop.
When I acquired the motel in 2004, the sign had to be refurbished as the previous owner removed the sign. Many U2 fans would come to the motel and would be disappointed with the sign, hence in 2011, I refurbished the historic sign, and brought back the music notes as seen in U2’s famous picture taken at the Harmony Motel.
Looking Toward the Future
Perhaps this little motel’s greatest beauty is its name—Harmony. Its original sign, with its creative music notes, has captivated countless travelers over the years. It has also attracted world-famous musicians, including U2 and Snow Patrol, as well as Hollywood actors such as Kirsten Dunst during the filming of Crazy/Beautiful. To me, those music notes symbolize the harmony that has echoed through this special place for decades. And that, my friends, is Harmony Motel—crazy beautiful and proudly preserving the spirit of the 1950s.
Looking back, Harmony Motel has become far more than a business. It has been a labor of love, a place of healing, and a reminder that even after life’s greatest hardships, it is possible to find peace, purpose, and a new beginning. Moreover,living in the Mojave Desert has been a deeply healing experience for me following the brutal loss of my mom.
Today, I am grateful that what began as a journey of grief has evolved into one of hope, resilience, and gratitude.
So, dear friends, celebrate 20 years of ownership with a small business owner in 2024. Visit us and experience the harmony in the Mojave.
If you’re planning a visit to Harmony Motel and Joshua Tree National Park, I also recommend stopping by the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms. It’s a wonderful place to pick up maps, learn about current trail conditions, speak with knowledgeable park rangers, and discover even more ways to experience the beauty of our desert.
While you’re here, I also encourage you to experience the incredible night skies at Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center, just minutes from Harmony Motel. Like the desert itself, it’s a place that inspires wonder and reminds us how extraordinary this special corner of California truly is.
Sources
- U2 by U2 Neil Mccormick, December (2009), page 234.