Your favorite Doo Wop motel?

[Al Alven]

What is your all-time favorite Doo Wop Motel in the Wildwoods, and why?

This is a difficult question for me to answer because its like being asked to chose between best friends.

However, when it comes right down to it, I have to go with the Caribbean Motel on Ocean Ave. in the Crest as the one that stands out above all the rest. The motel is unmistakably "mid-century" in every way imaginable, and is totally unique.

From the oversized neon sign on the rooftop (the most distinctive and striking of its kind) to the "futuristic" Jetson ramp, to the multi-colored spaceship lights, to the motel's cool, olive green exterior, the Caribbean is a true classic that loudly echoes the "googie" era like no other.

Oh, and how could I forget the unique, horseshoe-shaped pool, the intricate railing designs and the motel's slanting, angled roof? If you have never had the opportunity to truly check out the Caribbean up close and personal (or better yet -- stay there!), I urge you to do so.

For a while there, it was feared that the Caribbean was in danger of falling to the wrecking ball like so many of its neighbors in the Crest. Fortunately, however, the motel was recently purchased by Emille Enterprises, who plan to maintain and even upgrade the property.

Thus, one of the most iconic motels in Wildwood survives and will continue to thrive into the future. The Caribbean has always been a focal point for lovers and enthusiasts of mid-century architecture, but its historical importance to the Wildwoods has never been stronger.

My other favorite Doo Wop motels include the Satellite, Carousel and Tahiti, all of which were unfortunately not as lucky as the Caribbean, and have already fallen to the wrecking ball.

Which one is your favorite?

[AnthonyV]

Any motel that has managed to survive the wrecking ball so far is my favorite now because next week it might become just another memory like so many others...I always liked the Bel Air, Caribbean, Astronaut, Bristol Plaza, and Cara Mara. My favorite though was always The Satellite, The Saratoga Inn, and The Carousel.

[Al Alven]

There are/were so many great ones.

This past year was just so surreal in terms of not just mere motels, but LANDMARKS disappearing from the island left and right. Places like the Satellite, the Carousel, the Tahiti... well, I just assumed they would last forever.

But, as rumor after rumor became reality and, one-by-one, many of the classic Doo Wop motels began to fall, the Wildwoods started to become some sort of bizarro land or something. From the end of September to now, so much has changed.

A trip down Atlantic or Ocean Avenues in the Crest just isn't quite what it used to be. You can't "escape" so much anymore, unless your preference is to "enjoy" the visual beauty that is the dreary grey panel siding and cookie-cutter existence of all those fabulous new condos!

No more blasting off to outer space in the Satellite. No more trips to the carnival for a ride on the Carousel. No more vacations away from it all on the warm, tropical beaches of Tahiti.

It's difficult for me to accept that all of these wonderful places, these tremendous examples of Doo Wop architecture, are gone... and are not coming back. If I can take anything positive out of this fact, however, it is that my appreciation for the ones that remain has grown considerably.

We must continue to fight to preserve the great Doo wop motels that are left. Despite dwindling numbers, they remain the most sincere representation of the Wildwoods' cultural identity, past, present and (perhaps) future.

[AnthonyV]

Do you think some type of an organized march in protest against what has been taking place might at least turn some peoples heads concerning what's happening down there?

It may not stop the plague of demolition running rampant throughout the Wildwoods but it certanly can bring some well needed attention to the situation - especially if word gets through to some news organizarions.

[FlyinGN]

I love em all!! One of my favorites to look at though is the Caribbean hortel.. Love thre ramp and pool design..

We stay in the crest at the Cpmpass for the last few years and loved it there..

Frank

[Al Alven]

AnthonyV said:

Do you think some type of an organized march in protest against what has been taking place might at least turn some peoples heads concerning what's happening down there?

It may not stop the plague of demolition running rampant throughout the Wildwoods but it certanly can bring some well needed attention to the situation - especially if word gets through to some news organizarions.

I believe that some sort of action needs to be taken.

It would be nice to see residents and vacationers alike banding together in an organized fashion to collectively voice displeasure against what is going on in the Wildwoods.

Meetings are held on the island where residents get a chance to voice their opinions, but it would be great if some of us regular visitors could have our say also. We are, after all, "secondary" citizens in a sense. Heck, I consider the Wildwoods to be my second home.

At any rate, an organized event that would both unite everyone who wants to see the island's character preserved and draw more widespread attention to the current struggle would be very worthwhile.

[squeezix]

My favorite still existing signage is the La Vita in Wildwood Crest. My favorite block of motels has mostly been destroyed, however. I loved the motels on e. atlanta and ?dever with the block lot between them that sat empty for 50 years (now is covered every inch in condo). At night it was magical to see the lights in the salt water haze of the Silver Beach, The Frontier, The Tempo, Catalina, Mark IV and Lampliter. It was like a world of its own. Over the tops of the Frontier and Tempo you could see the signs for the Bali Hi and Blue Water. Suddenly its all gone. The Lampliter still stands but is surrounded completely with condos so I don't know how much longer it will remain. So many memories erased so quickly...I guess there was once a generation pining for the old Victorian hotels that burned or were ripped down to make way for the motels.

[Al Alven]

The La Vita is one of my favorites as well, squeezix.

I love the classic, unmistakably “50s” script of the rooftop sign, especially at night (when it glows in a warm red/pink hue and is visible from quite a distance to the north on Atlantic Ave.).

I’m glad the motel is still there, and sincerely hope that it continues to operate well into the future.

It’s a shame how so many one-of-a-kind classics have been lost, particularly in the area of the Crest that you mentioned. Your photographic memory of the arrangement of the motels is amazing, and is indicative of the magical, memorable aura that the Wildwoods are/were so capably of producing.

You are completely right, by the way, about the way that some people perceived the Doo Wop motels when they began popping up on the island back in the 50s. It’s difficult to imagine, but prior to that time, the Wildwoods were relatively conservative by nature, like all of the other Jersey shore resort towns of the same era.

When the big, stately hotels began to come down in favor of a slew (and I mean A SLEW!) of small, tacky, gaudy, flamboyant motels with weird, sometimes outlandish names and bizarre design patters, well, I suppose it is somewhat understandable that some people began questioning what was going on.

But, the transition proved to be a natural one, and the Wildwoods soon thrived to levels of success that would have seemed unfathomable even at the very end of World War II.

It’s funny how things turn out sometimes. Let’s hope that in 50 years from now (or, preferably, much sooner), the mid-century spirit is re-awakened on a mass level, and of these lousy condos meet the fate that they ultimately deserve.

[FlyinGN]

amen guys, amen..

Frank

[Eunice]

The Shalimar...with its beautiful purple glow. Hypnotic. So pleased to see the Shalimar is not only doing well, but expanding and updating while respecting the original architecture. Good going Shalimar.

[Doowopper]

I really like the Waikiki motot inn. It looks really cool at night with the orange lights and the lit green lava rocks. I also like the Casa Bahama (sad to see it go), and the Carribean. I was so happy to see it bought by people who plan to give it a bright future.

[beachboy]

I agree with doowooper, The Waikiki has always been my favorite especially at night. The yellow standard lighting and the green lighting at the top really sets this motel apart. Also, they have a great roof top coffee shop which is a real treat to visit for breakfast, Also, I like the yankee clipper and imperial 500 with its unique crown shaped balconys. These owners have done a great job maintaining and upgrading their motels year after year. In my opinion, they are both a real class act. The royal hawaiian is also very neat with its free floating island (atol)in the swimming pool. Does anyone remember it before their renovation adding the saucer at the top?

[Eunice]

I agree with you both about the Waikiki and its cool lava rock and lighting. Still, I guess because it is so large I don't think of it as 50's/60's motel architecture. Of course, this is wrong....I'm stereotyping Wildwood motels to be little 2/3 story L shaped MOTOR INNS, where you park and walk to your room. Does anyone know when the Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian were built? I'd suspect perhaps late 60's. A couple summers ago I had breakfast on top of the Waikiki...what a neat spot. I left my (very expensive) camera there and the owner found it, found my name inside, called me then next day mailed it to me. Can you imagine anyone at an enormous Marriot taking that much time?

[Eunice]

Speaking of Tiki/Hawaiian themed motels in Wildwood...does anyone know how the Kona Kai in Wildwood Crest is surviving? Also, can anyone remember seeing the torches by the sign lit? Were they ever? I was checking them out a couple years back...looked like they used to be gas lamps (cool!). But, I can't recollect ever seeing them ablaze.

[FlyinGN]

I know we stayed at the Waikiki as a child in the late 60's early 70'ss. My wife and I stayed a few years ago for a wet away weekend in their honeymoon suite
was very nice.. We eat on the rooftop breakfast place every summer..

Frank

Guest-Eunice said:

I agree with you both about the Waikiki and its cool lava rock and lighting. Still, I guess because it is so large I don't think of it as 50's/60's motel architecture. Of course, this is wrong....I'm stereotyping Wildwood motels to be little 2/3 story L shaped MOTOR INNS, where you park and walk to your room. Does anyone know when the Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian were built? I'd suspect perhaps late 60's. A couple summers ago I had breakfast on top of the Waikiki...what a neat spot. I left my (very expensive) camera there and the owner found it, found my name inside, called me then next day mailed it to me. Can you imagine anyone at an enormous Marriot taking that much time?