We finally make it to the
COCONUT MOTEL
: : It was in February that I happened to be in Trois-Rivières on business. I remembered John T. telling me about this place. So, I decided to check it out for a little nightcap as soon as I rolled into town. : :
: : It was late and cold but the minute I walked in, everything warmed up nicely. I immediately got a good vibe; that happy inner glow I feel whenever I encounter dimly lit lounges loaded with dark wood panelling, curved booths in bright red leather trim, and little covered candles on tables. I get nostalgic. I get silly. : :
: : I moved to the bar and merrily noticed how the barstools were actually wooden tiki heads. I sat down and ordered an Aku Aku Coconut. Above the bar was a kooky curved plexiglass aquarium with tropical fish swimming about. It was a plastic bubble of water, its surface stretched like Saran-wrap over the back wall. : :
: : The décor was classic early sixties exotica-lounge with a lot of bamboo, tiki heads, and blowfish lamps. The place could best be described as “warm and fuzzy”... and after 2 coconut-rum concoctions, I was all warm and fuzzy. Upon inquiring, I found out I could also buy some of their tiki mugs. I slept nice that night. : :
: : Back in town, I decided to contact the owner, who wasn’t available on the night of my visit. She gave me the lowdown: the place was opened by her dad in 1958. It only became a tiki bar in 1963 after her parents came back from their honeymoon in Tahiti with tons of tikis, masks, chairs, tables, lamps and other decorative items. Michèle Landry says her parents love to travel to exotic locations but they really got a “coup de foudre” for Tahiti. : :
: : The hotel restaurant just reopened a few months ago after being closed for 6 years. Michèle says they modernized the menu to include healthy, “light California” fare but we’ll still be able to find classics like Chicken “Polynesien.” Other good news: they cleaned up the dining room but kept the original tiki décor complete with tiki masks and weaponry. : :
: : My recommendation: the décor is worth the drive, not to mention the excellent Aku Aku Coconut, and the possibility of stocking up on tiki mugs. For those so inclined, there is dancing on Friday and Saturday nights to a tropical mix of island music, African rhythms and latin. If ever you’re up in Trois-Rivières, do yourself a favour and drop in to the warm glow of the Coconut Hotel. : :
For more details, visit:
7531 Notre Dame
Trois-Rivières Ouest
Québec G9B 1L7
Phone: 819-377-3221
Toll free: 800-838-3221
Fax: 819-377-1344
Fred Sarli © 2000
2005 UPDATE:
The Landry family has sold the Coconut Motel in December 2005 but everything still appears to be up and running as usual.
2016 UPDATE:
New photos on the WATCH page.
CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS
