One of the many details I enjoy about looking through old images is examining the leisure activities of the past. And as some of you may recall, today’s subject is one that I’ve featured before: that of lodging places showcasing prominently their pool facilities. A trait that, if I were to believe these promotional materials, was the most irresistible of activities back then.
Like a lot of past trends, the concept of these pools at motels and hotels nowadays strikes me as quite amusing. Then again, back in those days they didn’t have cable TV channels by the hundreds, or cell phones to kill time. So who am I to question these?
Just like last time, today’s postcard gallery covers a variety of locales, all with pools, vintage rides, and the occasional glimpse of Googie architecture. We start with our lede photo, taken at the Ocean Park Motel, in Ocean City, MD.
Desert Gem Motel, Gila Bend, AZ.
La Avenida Motel And Cafe, Coronado, CA.
Sahara Motel, Daytona Beach, FL.
Dolphin Motel, St. Petersburg, FL.
El Rancho Parker Motel, Parker, AZ.
Desert Inn Motel, Blythe, CA.
Cardinal Inn Motel, Denison, TX.
Dunes Motel, Ocean City, MD.
Pasadena Travelodge, Pasadena, CA.
Princess Motel, West Palm Beach, FL.
Villa Capri Motel, Keysville, UT.
In the first pic, maybe a Meteor on the right?
Dolphin shows the ’50s dream. Why walk from the room to the pool when you can drive instead!
I wonder how many of these motels featured air conditioning. Lack of a/c would have made the pool really popular.
The photo of the Travelodge in Pasadena caught my eye. On the left parked next to a white `64 Cutlass coupe is a `58 Olds HT (can only guess either a Super 88 or a 98?) painted in “anniversary gold metallic” as `58 was GM’s 50th year! All 5 divisions offered the color on select models.
What’s up the guy in a suit at the pool in Blythe.
I wonder how many attempts at photo shoots like these were stymied by rusty, dented, or needing-a-wash cars parked in the lot. Couldn’t just Photoshop them clean back then.
I go to Ocean City, MD (or adjacent beaches) almost annually. The Ocean Park Motel was damaged in a hurricane – Andrew if I recall correctly – and demolished not long after. There’s a big Holiday Inn at that location now. Dunes Motel is still there and little changed. Here’s how it looks now: https://dunescourtoc.com/
Pools are still a big deal today. Especially when traveling with children.
The romance of a small motel! Great memories. Today’s multistory edifices are great but the twenty- to forty-unit motel was cozy. Thanks for these photos.