Topic: Cape Canaveral-area hotels, motels of the 60s
Shuttlewatcher Member
Posts: 10 From: Tampa, Fl, Hills. Registered: Jun 2002
posted 06-19-2021 05:15 PM
I'm researching a book myself and found a few good stories in Neal Thompson's "Light this Candle: The Life and Times of Alan Shepard." Here's one about Henri Landwirth, who was manager of the Holiday Inn and the Starlight Motel.
On the day the Holiday Inn opened, the Starlight Lounge coincidentally burst into flames and burned to the ground. The Cocoa Beach police didn't think the fire was such a coincidence and interrogated Landswirth, who professed shock at the implication. The police found no evidence of anything fishy and later blamed faulty wiring.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 365 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 06-20-2021 04:45 AM
Just a few memories of Atlantis Beach Lodge.
I stayed here in 1972 to watch the launch of Apollo 17. The trip was organised by a company called Transolar Travel. This was my very first trip to the USA, and my first "live" launch. The things that stick in my mind are sitting by the pool, revising for a first-aid exam, which I was due to take on the day of my arrival back in the U.K., standing in shirt sleeves, in December, watching the launch.
Being a little disappointed by the launch itself, as we were so far away that all we saw was basically a small fireball rising into the sky (at night of course). It was, however the start of many later trips to the States.
Dhb Member
Posts: 24 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015
posted 09-01-2021 09:21 AM
International Palms aka "old Holiday Inn" —
I posted back in November of a Florida Today article mentioning Westin Hotel's plans to demolish the International Palms and then build a new hotel complex on the site. As of September 1, 2021, the demolition has not started and the International Palms is still open. The front desk told me they have received a "stay of execution." The Palms will be open for the next couple months with demolition scheduled later.
I booked a week stay there next month, October. While I'm there, if anyone would like me to run an errand or take a photo (hotels, Cape or historical space-related only) let me know. Gonna visit Sands at the AFB, and Kennedy too.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2353 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 09-01-2021 08:05 PM
Make sure you visit the La Quinta (as I recall, it is just a bit south of the International Palms on A1A).
La Quinta used to be the old Cape Colony Inn, owned by the Mercury 7. There is a sign commemorating this on the property, along with some displays inside the lobby.
Dhb Member
Posts: 24 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015
posted 09-02-2021 10:40 AM
Yes, I've been in there before. I'll stop in again... Thanks.
RSchnell New Member
Posts: 5 From: Lakeland, FL Registered: Jun 2021
posted 09-07-2021 10:38 PM
While the old Holiday Inn and Ramada, which comprise the now International Palms, they have been subject to a lot of deferred maintenance. I'm in Cocoa Beach fairly often and have seen the decline.
The old Holiday Inn lobby is closed and not accessible, nor does it bear resemblance to its original form — you can look in the window though! I shot some photos of the property I can post if anyone is interested.
This is an interesting promotional video I ran across showing Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and quite a few Cocoa Beach landmarks from the 60s. Well worth the 20 minute watch.
Dhb Member
Posts: 24 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015
posted 09-08-2021 09:05 AM
Great video! Yes I'd like to see those pictures.
One time when we were staying at the Palms in 2015, I asked the front desk about the old days. Girl got the manager, and I was told there is still a lady that works there, I think she did bookkeeping or something like that. I was told the lady worked there during the 60's, and is now up in years, but she loves to talk about the old days, and remembers the astronauts really well. She worked part time, and of course, she wasn't there during the time I was booked.
I too have notice the deterioration of the buildings — bricks loose, stuff loose and falling down, concrete cracking everywhere. I don't really have a problem with them tearing it down, I just don't like to see what it is being replaced by. The Palms right now is perfect for families. You could really just stay right there for a vacation get away, they have everything. But seems as if the new complex will be catering to the rich. We'll see though, and hopefully I'm wrong.
RSchnell New Member
Posts: 5 From: Lakeland, FL Registered: Jun 2021
posted 09-08-2021 07:23 PM
I haven't stayed at the Palms in many years. I usually stay at the Sea Aire when I overnight in Cocoa Beach. One of the few motels still standing that was around back in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo era and still has that 50s/60s vibe.
When you go to the Palms, make sure you hit up the game room. The tokens in the machine still say "Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn." I got a few of them for my collection.
When International Palms gets torn down, that only leaves Oceans Landing (old Starlite hotel), Sea Aire, LaQuinta (old Cape Colony), Gregory's Steakhouse (former lobby of Crossway Inn) and a couple others that escape me as survivors from the MGA era.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1855 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 09-08-2021 08:49 PM
I don't know of any out of town workers (spacecraft or payload) that used any of them in the last 20 years or so. They avoided them.
Dhb Member
Posts: 24 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015
posted 10-29-2021 10:33 PM
I'm staying at the International Palms for the next week. Pretty quiet, no one booked here. About 10 cars in lot, kinda nice to have the place to my wife and I, but also sad at the same time.
Bartender told me they are looking now at next year to close, instead of end of this year. Plans are to take about a year to demolish the 12 acre complex, and move the debris away with up to 3 years for the rebuild. Plans call for a multi level auto garage in front and three separate hotel complexes. He also mentioned they are planning on building a rocket launch viewing observation platform for the new hotel guests.
RSchnell New Member
Posts: 5 From: Lakeland, FL Registered: Jun 2021
posted 10-30-2021 01:19 AM
I was over in Cocoa Beach on business last week and drove through the complex. It was pretty quiet then too.
Interesting to hear that they keep pushing back the closure.
Here are some photos I've been meaning to post. The first set is from the Life Magazine archive on Shutterstock, lots of photos if you use vague search terms. the second photo is roughly the same location in June 2021 when I took the photo.
This is Gus Grissom with Alan Shepard and wife in the dining room at the Holiday Inn.
The chandelier from the postcard confirms it.
Here is Shepard showing off the Fuel Injection setup on his '62 Corvette. A1A would be in the background and Lori Wilson Park would be in front of the car.
Dhb Member
Posts: 24 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015
posted 10-30-2021 06:28 AM
Thanks for the cool photos. I took many photos yesterday of interior and exterior. I'll try and post a few when I get back home.
Bob M Member
Posts: 1883 From: Atlanta-area, GA USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 10-30-2021 04:52 PM
This is a Holiday Inn of Cocoa Beach stationary sheet authentically signed by the original Mercury 7 astronauts. The Holiday Inn of Cocoa Beach was the home base of the Mercury astronauts, as mentioned in Alan Shepard's book, "Moon Shot":
...then (we) abandoned Hangar S and took up residence at... the Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach.
The eBay seller stated that his father obtained the autographs while working in the space program at ITT. It's not known if the autographs were actually obtained at the Holiday Inn or at some other location using this Holiday Inn stationary sheet.
CEKebalo Member
Posts: 35 From: Winnipeg, MB, CA Registered: Jun 2021
posted 11-01-2021 09:39 AM
As with old Vegas hotels and the strip, seeing and imagining yourself being in the magic of the past, when everything was straight forward and real, with an aura about it that is impossible to duplicate with rebuilds.
I can't get enough of the vintage photos. What a time it seems to have been.
Dhb Member
Posts: 24 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015
posted 11-19-2021 07:05 PM
My wife and I just got back from a months stay at Cocoa Beach. International Palms, a.k.a Holiday Inn. Pretty sparse, no people, Mambo's bar closed except for a few hours on Friday nights, kiddy pool closed, adult pool open but no one using it. Staff told me the plan is to be open until March 2022. I really don't know how or why they are staying open. I took tons of pictures. I'll see if I can figure out how to post a couple...
C2Ag93 Member
Posts: 15 From: Houston, TX Registered: Jun 2019
posted 08-28-2022 04:07 PM
Thank you to all that made this thread possible. I am currently staying at the International Palms (old Ramada Inn w Wolfies and Holiday Inn) and happy to report they are still open. Staying here for the Artemis I launch tomorrow (Aug 29, 2022).
They said they were booked up for the Artemis launch, and pools are open, etc. No idea if their business is good otherwise. It would be really sad if they just demolish it. I would be if an investor came in and restored it to some semblance of what it looked like back then and added photos and memorabilia all around, you would have space history tourists out the wazoo.
C2Ag93 Member
Posts: 15 From: Houston, TX Registered: Jun 2019
posted 08-30-2022 02:54 PM
quote:Originally posted by YankeeClipper: ...as you enter the International Palms Resort from North Atlantic Ave (A1A), the old Holiday Inn is the building to the left of the big arch and the old Ramada Inn is the building to the right.
I stayed at the International Palms and can completely confirm that the Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn were combined to become the International Palms. I stayed in a room that clearly lines up with the vintage Ramada Inn with Wolfies photo earlier posted.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3852 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 08-30-2022 10:07 PM
The Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn can be seen in this LIFE magazine launch photo identified as Apollo 9.
Ben Member
Posts: 1925 From: United States Registered: May 2000
posted 09-01-2022 09:18 PM
The above photo shows a night launch, so it isn't Apollo 9. Based on the location and orientation of the photo and where the launch is originating from, it was not a crew launch.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1855 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 09-06-2022 07:40 AM
quote:Originally posted by C2Ag93: ...restored it to some semblance of what it looked like back then and added photos and memorabilia all around, you would have space history tourists out the wazoo.
Actually, not really. "Space history tourists" are not a significant portion of the general public. Most people are not aware of the history of those places. And the ones that do or care about it are not enough to make a business case.
RSchnell New Member
Posts: 5 From: Lakeland, FL Registered: Jun 2021
posted 01-28-2023 11:51 PM
The old Holiday Inn & Ramada days are numbered as they finally closed International Palms and now have construction fencing up around the entire property.
I was in the Cocoa Beach Library a couple weeks ago and ran across this photo showing the locations of a lot of the places in this thread. The photo was taken by a developer around 1964. I did the best that I could with my cell phone, don't think they'd like me dragging my Nikon DSLR in there!
Thought it might be useful for further research.
As an aside, they have the original Mercury Seven sign from Ramon's on another wall.
posted 12-02-2023 06:48 PM
From YouTube: Historic Cocoa Beach Florida Holiday Inn Demolition
The historic Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn (later know as the International Palms resort) is being torn down to make way for a new resort and conference center on the beach near Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Filmed December 1st, 2023 in 4k UHD.
Watts Way New Member
Posts: 7 From: St. Louis, MO, USA Registered: Mar 2023
posted 12-05-2023 09:32 AM
Thanks for posting this video and to those who have posted to this thread. Here are a few period photos from my late father’s slide and print collection that might be of interest.
This photo is of Scott Carpenter’s post-flight parade route. The Cape Colony Inn is at center, across the street from the Holiday Inn.
This is a Polaroid of the Carriage House restaurant from that same time. Mounted atop the news vehicle in the foreground is a Mercury capsule model that McDonnell Aircraft made and presented to the radio station.
This photo is of Gus Grissom and family in the Carriage House portico following the GT-3 post-flight parade.
Here is John Young departing his vehicle at the Carriage House en route to the GT-3 press conference.
The last photo is of the GT-3 press conference inside the Carriage House (see small banner in background).
These came from my dad’s personal collection. He was an early McDonnell employee transferred to Cape Canaveral to set up shop for Mercury (his colleague, Guenter Wendt, was another). We initially lived at the Satellite Motel before moving into a house. We learned to swim in the Holiday Inn pool. Prior to Cocoa Beach opening its municipal complex, we spent many a day swimming in the Cape Colony Inn pool. That’s where I learned what happens when you jump into a chlorinated pool with eyes and mouth wide open!
It was a great place and environment to live in as a kid. Thanks for triggering the memories.
posted 06-19-2021 05:15 PM
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