Post #401259 by Chrisc on Thu, Aug 14, 2008 9:01 AM

Yup,

I'm afraid the Mai Tai at Croyde is definitely closed, and has been so for a couple of years, although there are still pages on the Internet talking about it in the present tense. I went to Croyde about a month ago, and got funny looks from the locals when I asked for the Home House Hotel: I got a bewildered and suspicious stare, and was told, "its... not... been trading as a hotel... for at least two years" said in a tone reminiscent of a "local" in a horror film! The Oxford Retreat "tiki bar" is distinctly understated, and only really worth visiting if you're in Oxford on some other pretext. I'm afraid Tiki bars outside London do still seem a bit thin on the ground, though I've just been informed there's one now in Glastonbury...I've no further details, I'm afraid. You might find Kew Gardens in Richmond, London, are worth a visit: they are probably the world's best botanical gardens, with vast tropical glasshouses. and extensive plant collections.
If you're up North, you might find Blackpool interesting.. it's a cheesy Northern seaside resort, trying to be a British version of Las Vegas, and of interest to the urban archaeologist.
There are various Art Deco places around. If you're in Morecambe, do visit the newly-restored Midland Hotel, and Brucciani's, a Grade II listed Art Deco Cafe. There's also a very pleasant Art Deco tour bookable at the tourist office.

CHRIS