Shiny Wallpaper -- Flee!

 

Hawaiian Regent Hotel

Waikiki, Hawaii

1970's

Look at these Hawaiian natives rowing away from a high-rise hotel as in horror. What on earth could they be fleeing?

Ah, we see the answer which is presented in the lower half of the image. Look at that shiny foil wallpaper overlaid with a cane pattern behind the bed. Can you say 70's decor, kids? I knew you could. And all that yellow -- bedspreads, carpet, curtains. For all we know, the ceiling might be yellow, too. A couple of ladies sporting beehive hairdos sit on the balcony, blissfully unaware of decorative sins being committed in this room.

Smoking in Day Beds

Chandler Courts
Miami Beach, FL
1960's

 A glance at this postcard tells you that this motel clearly isn't from the 21st century. For one thing, two day beds -- both twin sized -- are arranged artistically in a L shape, with a little table and table lamp serving as a nightstand for both beds. And check out that quintessential shapeless wood coffee table. While you might try to find something like that at IKEA today, I suspect it has been many years since IKEA made any coffee tables with recessed ashtrays.

Think Red

Madonna Inn
San Luis Obispo, CA
1970's?
Room 121 ("San Francisco")

It's Saturday, which means it's Madonna Inn Day, and I got a couple to post today. The first up is room 121, otherwise known as the San Francisco room. As you can see, this room -- which seems to be actually two bedrooms -- is very red. (Note: the lighting in the photo makes the carpet looks kind of pink, but the description on the back insists it's red.) Please draw your eyes to that rather ornate mirror with four electric candles branching off it. This is a room that the late Liberace could love. He probably would insist that these "old lady" floral bedspreads be changed, though.


Check out here for a more recent photo of the suite. Obviously, the room has been redecorated, but I am pleased to see that they didn't try to tone it down. In fact, if anything, the rooms seem to be a bit wilder, especially with these white ornate bed frames. They should have kept the Liberace mirror, though.

Room 216 ("Matterhorn")

Except for bits of grooviness --the Sixties-que wallpaper and the hanging cracked-glass lamp above the bed -- this is a rather tame room by Madonna Inn's standards. By the way, that is a really odd angle to take a photo of this room. One cannot help but wonder what they are trying to hide in the other part of the room. Check out this updated photo of the room. As you can see, the room has been modernized, though the dark wood headboard appears to be the same. Sadly, the walls are a boring solid white.

Uptown Downtown

Uptown Motel
Port Angeles, WA
1960's?

This is definitely a groovy room -- what is not to love about it? Check out that round white table, bright red chairs with butterfly backs, and hanging turquoise blue lamps. The only gripde I have about this room is these walls painted in that institutional green that seems to be so ubiquitous in 1950's and 1960's.

Groovy Staircase in Amarillo

Holiday Inn West
Amarillo, TX
1960's?

Here's a postcard showing a lobby more groovy than the one shown in the previous post. A couple pauses halfway on the staircase to gaze upon what looks like a fake-looking rock garden below, their Sixties hairstyles framed by that big circle of crackle glass lamps. I would say the best feature in this photo is the staircase's intricate-designed railings that is almost reminiscent of Art Noveau.

If you would like to buy this postcard, it is available for sale on Playle's site.

 

Yet More Grooviness in Hawaii

Kauai Surf Resort
Kalapaki Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
1960's?

Here is another postcard of a room at Kauai Surf Resort (see the first one). Despite the outdated furniture and decor (oh, look, here's another of these day beds), the architecture of this room is great, with the vaulted ceiling and large windows. And great views, not to mention. Just remember to close the curtains on that side window, so your neighbors don't get a free porn show.

Groovy in Hawaii

Kauai Surf Resort
Kalapaki Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
1960's?

To be fair, as vintage motel rooms go, this isn't too bad (and of course, a great view helps, too). It has some nice examples of mid-century modern, such as that white round table and the little coffee table. However, the harvest gold carpet and upholstery gives this room a dated look. The printed curtains look like they date from 1950's. Also, note that daybed on the right, which looks like a roll-away bed slid under some of structure serving as a combination backrest and shelf. They were popular in 1960's but you don't see them anymore, as they've been replaced by hide-a-beds and futon frames.

Note: if you are interested in buying this postcard, it is available for sale on Playle's site. I also have many other postcards for sale there as well -- click on the "Other items by this seller" link there.

Big Red Bed

Hanalei Planation
Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
1960's
(Interior of a cottage)

Look at this monster of a bed, and someone took care to ensure the red carpet matches the comforter, making the bed seem bigger. I think the brown giraffe spots on the white wall in the next room are supposed to represent rocks or something.

Space Chic Honeymoon Suite

South of the Border Motel
3346 U.S. 301
Hamer, SC 29547
1970's or 1980's

This is one of the honeymoon suites at the motel at the iconic mother-of-roadside-attractions known as South of the Border. (If you are unfamiliar with this place, go here and be prepared to be entertained -- or be disdained, depending on your taste.)

Check out the Sixties-que white dome lurking above this bed, complete with panels of mirrors and a red padded backrest that looked like it once lived in a nightclub from the 1950's. I'll let the description on the back of the postcard speak for itself:

HONEYMOON HEAVEN! One of pedro's 20 fabulous Honeymoon Suites, with the custom built "Everything" bed. TV, Radio, Cassettes, Mirrors, all in the headboard! You may never want to get out of the bed! At South of the Border Motel.

 Unfortunately, it's my understanding that the suites have been renovated since then, and that these beds are no longer there.