Palm Springs, CA - The Caliente tropics Resort is a 90-room tiki and polynesian playground located in Palm Springs,California, which is known as America's Desert Playground. The Resort has completed a $2 million facelift,restoring the classic 60spolynesian and tiki architecture and feel. Originally opened in 1964, the resort played host to locals and celebrities alike, including Victor Mature, Elvis Presley, and members of the Rat Pack. The Caliente tropics Resort is rich in local history." 

Caliente Tropics
Palm Springs, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

Pulling along Palm Canyon Drive, it is hard to miss the big tropical entrance to Caliente Tropics. Check out the towering A-frame, carved tiki figures, and that colorful roadside sign welcoming travelers into their own little piece of the South Pacific. Add in the palm trees and mountains rising behind the motel, and suddenly the desert does not feel quite so dry.

The property opened in 1964 as the Tropics Motor Hotel, part of a small chain of Polynesian-themed motels developed by Ken Kimes. Similar Tropics locations appeared in places such as Indio, Blythe, Modesto, and Rosemead, complete with matching script signs and carved tikis. The Palm Springs location was the full tropical package, with low-slung motel wings arranged around a large swimming pool and a dramatic A-frame marking the entrance.

Caliente Tropics
Palm Springs, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

The Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs, CA is one of the last remaining tiki styled treasures left in the area.

During its early years, the Tropics became a popular desert hideaway for Hollywood visitors. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Elvis Presley are all said to have spent time here. Guests could lounge beside the pool, grab dinner in the Congo Room, or disappear downstairs for a drink at the Cellar Bar. Not a bad setup after a long day crossing the desert.

Old picture of Tropics
Palm Springs, CA
Photo courtesy Mike Lacy

Here is an unexpected bit of Tropics history. Developer Ken Kimes was married to Sante Kimes, who later became nationally notorious for a long series of scams and crimes committed with her son, Kenny. That strange true-crime connection came years after the motel’s tropical glory days, but it certainly gives this cheerful Palm Springs getaway an unusual footnote.

After its $2 million restoration, this resort is now known as the Caliente Tropics. The owners now expect The Reef bar to reopen with an appropriate tiki theme some time in the future.

Tiki Inside
Palm Springs, CA
Photo courtesy Mike Lacy

As the years rolled along, the property passed through several familiar motel chains, including Hyatt, Best Western, Days Inn, and Rodeway Inn. Much of the Polynesian character disappeared beneath the usual corporate updates, and by the late 1990s the old Tropics was facing possible demolition. Fortunately, new owners took over around 2000 and began bringing back the tikis, tropical details, and original roadside personality. The motel reopened as Caliente Tropics, and the desert had its South Seas hideaway once again.

UPDATE: Caliente Tropics remains open as a tiki-themed resort. The restored sign, carved tikis, A-frame entrance, and pool area still welcome travelers, while The Reef serves tropical drinks in the former restaurant space. More recent additions include Sancho’s restaurant and the vintage-styled La Fern lounge. 09-26

Old Picture of Tropics Palm Springs, CA Photo courtesy Mike Lacy	Caliente Tropics Palm Springs, CA Photo courtesy Mike Lacy

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