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Upper New York State is not the first place I think of when some mentions tikis, umbrella drinks or surf music – but there is indeed a gathering every year with bands and vendors at this great 1960′s hotel. Because we booked this trip before we booked our Switzerland trip the weekend before (more on this later), we had to cut this trip down to a day and a half instead of the 2 1/2 it goes on for.

They publish a magazine and it gives the history of the Tiki Motor Inn. It claims that it’s one of the last two tiki themed motels with Polynesian dinner show still in operation – the other being Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

I suppose if we had the full time there to relax it would have been more relaxing, but the company was great – seeing friends from Canada, Vermont, New York and elsewhere – and doing it all “under the radar”.

Tikis all over the place. It’s actually a decent hotel.. the rooms themselves are rather normal, but everything else was fun.

There was a dinner show in a downstairs dining area and misc performers in the upstairs bar. The Dinner show was broken up into two sittings because of the number of attendees.

The food was terrible. Dry chicken chunks in a weak sauce. Tough pork slices and a couple-a grilled slices of Spam were accompanied by overcooked rice and carrots.

Stephanie Crabe won a Tiki Drink, Christopher has the look of a psycho killer (qu’est que c’est).

They did a silent auction and live auction – the proceeds went to benefit The Easter Island Foundation.

The show was okay though, not great. Kudos for the live fire and it being a family act. The few times I stepped out for a smoke diring the dinner show I think the bar had better entertainment.

I used my “Mikey” from Blue microphones to record a sample. We were near the back of the room and I sat the iPod down on the table. I’m really impressed with the quality given conditions.