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Tiki Motel in Tucson |
cheeky half
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 22, 2002
Posts: 790
From: Tucson, AZ
|  Posted: 2003-01-18 08:27 am Permalink
Tucson has one other tiki relic to go with the Kon Tiki and the Magic Carpet Golf tiki, here it is... the Tiki Motel. It appears to be closed and I couldn't find any other signs of tiki around the place.
Humuhumu, I didn't know that you were coming to Tucson or we would've met up with you at the Kon Tiki. Mr. Cheeky Half and I live within stumbling distance and we do like to stumble frequently.
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3587
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2003-01-18 10:43 am Permalink
If it's closed you should by all means try to get that sign...that's as classic as it gets.
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Tiki Diablo
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 1891
From: socal
| Posted: 2003-01-18 1:57 pm Permalink
While you're at it, grab the "No Tell Motel" sign in Tuscon.
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Tiki Diablo
Grand Member (8 years)
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 1891
From: socal
| Posted: 2003-01-18 1:58 pm Permalink
While you're at it, grab the "No Tell Motel" sign in Tuscon.
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cheeky half
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 22, 2002
Posts: 790
From: Tucson, AZ
| Posted: 2003-01-18 3:58 pm Permalink
...now taking orders for vintage Tucson signs.
P.S. Who's got welding gear?
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tiki_kiliki
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Apr 01, 2002
Posts: 989
From: Hamtown USA
| Posted: 2003-01-22 10:27 am Permalink
Can anyone tell me where this sign is located in Tuscon?
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tikitucson
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 43
From: Tucson, AZ
| Posted: 2003-01-22 10:43 am Permalink
The exact address is 2649 N Oracle. It's just north of Grant if that means anything to you.
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PolynesianPop
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 2341
From: Corona, Ca
| Posted: 2003-01-23 8:54 pm Permalink
Look what I found -- a postcard of the place!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2155457405&category=13997
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tikijackalope
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 814
From: KS/MO
| Posted: 2003-10-31 01:56 am Permalink
Not only is the Tiki Motel open, but it's neon sign is fully operational. I was thrilled to photograph it on a trip to Tucson in early October, 2003. The spotlight in front of the face part of the sign makes it look like the tiki is speaking into a microphone, but other than that, its great. They even have business cards with graphic art of the sign as a logo. If you like googie and googie-ish motel signs, be sure to drive South to see the Tucson, the Flamingo and the Sahara. To the North of the Tiki Motel, be sure to turn left (West) onto Miracle Mile to see the sign for the Tropicana Adult Theater; I'm sure it was once a motel. Be careful in this area at night though...way too many guys just hanging around looking like they wondered how many rocks of crack they could get for my camera. By the way, the No-Tell Motel had no business cards, but the nice (if befuddled) man at the desk gave me a match book...a fine souvenir or great practical joke item for slipping into a friend's pocket before his wife does the laundry.
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3587
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2003-10-31 09:05 am Permalink
There was also a Tiki Inn in Palo Alto, Ca. 
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5734
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2003-10-31 1:43 pm Permalink
Here's another shot.
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5734
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2003-10-31 1:53 pm Permalink
I just did something crazy, and called the Tiki Motel, to see if they have a website or shirts for sale. This was the conversation:
(7 rings)Hello?
Unga-Is this the Tiki Motel?
Lady-Yes it is, what do you want?
Unga- Do you have a website?
Lady-What's that?
Unga- That's OK, never mind. Do you sell t-shirts?
Lady -Just in our lost and found. What did it look like?
Unga - Uh, sorry to bother you. Goodbye
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Oh It Looks Good On You Though!
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mrsmiley
Grand Member (8 years)
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 3153
From: Las Vegas, NV
| Posted: 2003-10-31 3:28 pm Permalink
The tiki motel in Tucson is Tiki in signage only. And a cool sign it is! I think someone posted photos around the beginning of 2003. The motel is of the early motel design in which each room is separated by a covered parking space for your car. The manager seemed interested that Tiki is having a resurgence and that his motel was mentioned on Tiki Central.
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If you like it, it is ZAZZ! If you don't it is RAZZ!
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tikijackalope
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 814
From: KS/MO
| Posted: 2003-11-03 02:49 am Permalink
I don't think they would conceive of having t-shirts, Unga Bunga, though the iconic simplicity of the logo would make for a great one. I did get this business card, although Shutterfly seems to have cropped it.
Some night shots:
The North side of the sign is blocked by the building unless you are some distance away. It is not as well maintained:
Happy hunting, everyone!
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2004-11-09 7:11 pm Permalink
Has anyone actually stayed in one of these mid-Century marvels?
Or would you?
I'd like to before they are all gone, although one the other hand, maybe a photo safari would suffice.
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