Yep, small science fiction cons. ICON in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at a motel that I think was a former Holidome (or a knock-off). In the 80s and maybe 90s? Truly great for wandering around and running into your friends.
Also good for guerilla micro-programming --someone hung up a pinata of a purple dinosaur, and the bloodthirst in demolishing it was alarming. One friend walked past the debris and said, deadpan, “Barney Rubble.”
However… Even if the pool had gone, there were still moisture problems. The in-facing rooms had A/C units over their doors, and the units dripped. Ishy, as we’d have said in Minnesota in the 60s.
Back in my paramedic days, our annual EMS training conference was held in a high-end ski resort which was set up in a similar manner, though probably much better ventilated. In addition to specific training goals, I learned that nobody can binge drink like ER physicians whose drinks are funded by competing medivac companies. Seeing that pool makes my liver hurt in memory. I recall fondly the snake bite training seminar where the trainers were just a couple of yahoos who brought snakes and cut them loose on the putting greens while assuring us they had them under control.
maybe up on Aurora (Hwy 99) just north of the viaduct tunnel? i vaguely recall a HI with enclosed pool up there (some 40 years ago - so pool being gone makes sense in 2015). the glass was always fogged to the dripping point and black with mildew along the frames.
Perhaps?
I asked if she remembered where but she didn’t.
She just remembered that it was where they stayed when they came into town to see Phantom of the Opera and that seems like a good general area for that.
Absolutely! It was the smell that accompanied fun and adventure. The chlorine keeping the pool safe, the humidity adding to the tropical vibe along with the tiki and huge tropical plants.
It’s hard to describe something so off-putting yet enjoyable. Maybe like an old disintegrating vintage car that doesn’t smell great, but you love the car so the odor is just part of the charm.
Yup. I had no idea what was going on, I didn’t even know/realize those were renovated holidomes, I just knew something was weird being indoors with outdoor construction on the inside and everything stinks. All of the bedding and carpeting would be dry to the touch but still felt damp somehow.
Jaws II was filmed at the Holiday Inn Holidome in Navarre, FL. In the original film, steven spielberg was forced to compromise his vision of a schlocky monster horror film because the robot didn’t work, Luckily Jeannot Szwarc faced no such pressure in the sequel.
across the Dakotas, there is a chain of hotels called “C’mon Inn” that are similarly constructed. the center court is tiled, with 4-5 hot tubs, and the pool is at the end in a separate glassed-in room. they’re not the nicest places I’ve ever stayed, but they’re not bad, and not having the pool in the court definitely helps with the humidity control
Am I the only one who can’t get past that they weren’t actually domes in any way, shape or form? Holibarn or Holigreenhouse would’ve been more accurate
Dreaming of gently swimming lengths in the memory-holed holidome in the Isle of Man, heaving myself out to slop water onto the thick shag carpeting around the pool amid a rain of melting acrylic windows as it burns down around me killing myself and everyone in it
