Is This The World’s Last Great Tiki Hotel?

Is This The World’s Last Great Tiki Hotel?



Take a tour through the Caliente Tropics Hotel in Palm Springs, a mid-century Polynesian pop landmark that may just be the …

source

Share This Post
Have your say!
00
34 Comments

  1. Tickets are on sale now!
    https://www.breezewaycocktailhour.com/pages/the-getaway-weekender

  2. I loved that place

  3. My wife took me to Palm Springs for my 60th birthday and we stayed in the Caliente Tropics. What a wonderful hotel! The staff was so nice, the reef makes delicious drinks, and Rory is super cool.

    My wife is childhood friends with the co owner of Tonga Hut (Claudia) and so we had a VIP tour guide for the weekend, and Claudia was able to get us “gold star” service everywhere we went.

    It was a delightful, although slightly besotted weekend. Lots of amazing drinks and food, we met some amazing people (including a visit to Tiki Doug’s home to see his mind-blowing collection of chunk lamps), and I visited a big liquor store and picked up some bottles I couldn’t get back home in NC. A wonderful time all around, and we’re definitely planning to return soon!

  4. Why oh why did they remove the Anna Nicole Smith 'stone'?!?! It added to the wonderful kitsch of the place! Love the Caliente Tropics. Love PSP. Can't wait to retire there after living overseas for almost three decades.

  5. I think this is the most original. Egos have ruined most old authentic things. Everyone seems to want their own view which is always awful. Preserve Tiki History! My first apartment was across the street from the Tonga Hut. Does anyone remember Diane? Way back in the day. 😊

  6. My wife and I stayed there for our 10th anniversary in 2008. It seems they were just starting to restore the place. It was still super exciting to see all the tiki modern type architecture. New places are so boring.

  7. Great video (as usual) Matthew! Caliente Tropics is very high on our list and we're planning on checking the box next year. Hope that maybe we can make your event. Cheers!

  8. Just was there labor day, was cool to see a rare rain storm come through

  9. Ask for Jae at the reef!

  10. So fuckin sick bro. Thank you from a Tiki fiend in Connecticut 🖤🏴‍☠️⚓️

  11. Should’ve called it Rapa Nui instead of Easter Island 🗿

  12. ummm there is a little place in Moorea called the Bali Hai. Bungalows on stilts over the water and a Bar right on the lagoon… Out-tikis them all!

  13. 😊I used to stay here quite often in the early 2000's, mainly because it was the best deal in town! The bonus for me was the tiki aesthetic! This place will always have a special place in my ❤️

  14. Damn it! Hotel is already sold out.
    Bigger venue next time Spike! We go to the Reef all of the time. Great bar

  15. We stayed there several years ago. Such a cool spot. I want to say it was right as the Reef had opened. Im glad to see the place completely upgraded and looking great.

  16. Matt great video really enjoyed the history of Tropics. Looking forward to seeing you in January

  17. Love ❤️ This Resort and Eat At Los Sancho Restaurant For Our Local Taco Tuesdays…Excellent 🌮 and Mexican Fair..Stayed Their For A Week For Stay Cation…Love The Grounds And Pool is Great! 😊 Dewi In Palm Springs Ca

  18. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! January!

  19. Was in PS for Modernism Week back in 2015…just driving around and saw this Motel I couldn't believe it, ended up staying the night there. This was before I was really into Tiki so I didn't fully explore the place like I would do now.

  20. Thank you for sharing this, especially for us who won’t be able to make the event. Hopefully it becomes an annual weekend!!

  21. Was here 3 weeks ago. The grounds and the Reef were awesome, but the rooms are NOT it.

  22. This was such a nostalgic trip back in time when my fam would drive from Iowa to Cali in the 50's to visit family and would stay in these awesome retro motels, so glad to see revivals, some people get it…thanks!

  23. Regarding that tiki with the broken mouth, it was broken by someone backing into it.

  24. Having only made a stop there many, many years ago and before I was into Tiki, I really appreciate this walkthrough with you! Thanks for sharing this with us! I got a whole new appreciation for this place and now really want to visit it. That’s because of you, Spike. Thanks!!

  25. SPIKE THE BEST HOTEL I EVER STAYED AT WAS MY FRATERNITY. We had Old E running from the Bar Gun with tomato juice!!! Gotta stay healthy!

  26. Great show! Got our tickets and we're looking forward to the WHOLE danged THANG!!! 🙂 🙌 🍹

  27. Awesome! I learned something new today, there's such a thing as a tiki hotel. I knew there are tiki bars and tiki restaurants and even tiki curio shops, but I had no idea that tiki hotels are a thing. Thanks

  28. Sadly, the Modesto location didn't fair as well

  29. We are looking forward to being there!

  30. Tuvalu (Too var loo) ( in New Zealand we have migrants from all these Pacific areas. These places have wonderful sounding names)

  31. I like this very much. Good work.

  32. Nice job Spike! I think we will escape our Seattle rainy chill to join you there for your event. Super coolio for sure!😎 Cheers, my friend!

  33. cool vides

  34. NO NEON!

Leave a Reply