Post #595272 by KreepyTiki on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 10:17 PM

Castaway Clemens here with a Tropics update:

I was just there today and Coreen -- the lovely young desk clerk seated in the relocated lobby -- gave me the skinny on the latest at Caliente.

First of all, she said that she believes someone drove a vehicle into one of the supports which is what caused the collapse. And since I readily admit to not having read all 7 pages of posts yet on this thread, I don't know whether or not that jibes with what others have reported re. the cause of the Caliente crash.

Secondly, she informed me that the lobby has not been TEMPORARILY relocated, but that the lobby will now be PERMANENTLY relocated in what used to be the Caliente's restaurant -- or, rather, in PART of what used to be the restaurant. And she believes the plan is to keep the South Sea Islands motif from the former lobby and relocate a lot of that material to the new, larger space. Meanwhile, what used to be the lobby will now be converted into two luxury guest suites!

Also, they are currently looking for someone to lease the restaurant space and get it going as a functioning eatery again. And, lastly, they are also in the process of renewing their long expired liquor license in hopes of reopening the bar. (I'll definitely drink to THAT!)

So, that's what I was able to learn from the very cheerful and helpful Coreen. But I, of course, did some additional snooping around on my own and here's what I discovered... (Sorry no pictures -- my camera is on the fritz!)

First of all, the A-frame is back in action and the fence has been removed. And a nice restoration it is, overall, as there's no glaring evidence -- at least upon a casual glance -- of what had recently occurred. But there is no longer any tiki mask affixed to the apex of the structure. That mask, split completely down the middle, was sitting upside down inside the former lobby, leaning against what used to be the check-in desk. (I know this 'cause I examined it up close and personal, strongly resisting the overpowering temptation to walk off with a nice souvenir! lol) And some of the decor which used to be in there is gone but much still remains -- i.e. sofa, chairs, tiki fountain, etc. as well as all the lauhala matting and bamboo on the walls and ceiling.

I also noticed a funky smell in the former lobby which I certainly never noticed in that space before. And, trust me, that odor alone would be reason enough to have relocated the lobby to where it is now!

So, that's all I know, really, except that I also took a peek in the former bar and though most of the wall decor items are long gone, the mini A-frame structures remain.

Cheers and Mahalo! :drink: :tiki: