Romance and Luxury: Exploring the World of Adults-Only Hotels in America

Experience the enchanting ambiance of Cove Pocono Resorts in Pennsylvania, a renowned destination formerly celebrated as the "Honeymoon Capital of the World." Delight in the allure of heart-shaped hot tubs adorned with fragrant rose petals. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing serenity of circular beds nestled beneath ceilings that beautifully mimic a starry night sky. Indulge in the ultimate luxury and relaxation, accompanied by the breathtaking sights of seven-foot-tall champagne-glass whirlpools specially designed for couples.

From the moment married photographers Margaret and Corey Bienert arrived at Pocono Palace, one of Cove Pocono Resorts' three hotels, they were amazed. "I felt an overwhelming sense of joy when I saw how extravagant and entertaining the resort was, yet still catered to adults," Margaret shares with CNN Travel.

The weekend was filled with pure magic, captivating me with such intensity that I couldn't resist capturing every moment through the lens of my camera. As we bid farewell to the enchanting place, a thought immediately crossed my mind: when will we have the opportunity to return? It wasn't solely the eccentric rooms that grabbed Margaret and Corey's interest; it was the nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the 1960s. From engaging in interactive games that challenged our knowledge of each other to engaging in friendly bowling competitions, every aspect of the experience exuded a delightful vintage charm. Adding to the allure were the dazzling bars that served creatively named cocktails, evoking an air of playful sensuality, as eloquently described by Margaret.

The retro vibe of Cove Pocono Resorts was not seen as outdated but rather appealing to the thirty-something Bienerts. Eager to revisit, Margaret and Corey searched the internet for other similar destinations across the country.

This led to the creation of "A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour," a photo project that started on Instagram, gained popularity on TikTok, and is now available as a book titled "Hotel Kitsch: A Pretty Cool Tour of America's Fantasy Getaways" published by Artisan Books.

The rise of the Honeymoon Hotel

A heart-shaped bed at the Miami Princess Hotel in Miami, Florida.

Margaret and Corey Bienert/Courtesy Artisan Books

In 1963, The Cove Pocono Resorts introduced their heart-shaped hot tub. With its striking red color and enclosed by mirrored walls, this tub gradually became an iconic symbol of a daring and unconventional era.

By 1971, this heart-shaped tub gained significant attention when it was showcased in a two-page spread in Life magazine. The captivating photograph depicted a couple engaged in a passionate kiss while enjoying a soak in the hot tub. Accompanying the image was a thought-provoking text that pondered the tub's representation as either an excessive display of wealth or a tasteful indulgence.

Soon hotels all over the country began imitating the design, which was not patented by Poconos hotel owner and tub designer Morris Wilkins. Instead of feeling discouraged, Wilkins took it a step further. In 1984, he introduced a towering whirlpool that resembled a coupe champagne glass. He made sure to patent it, and as a result, suites with the champagne hot tub had a waiting list that lasted for an entire year.

The champagne coupe-shaped whirlpool at Cove Poconos Resorts launched in 1984.

Margaret and Corey Bienert/Courtesy Artisan Books

Upon arriving at Cove Pocono Resorts almost forty years later, Margaret and Corey were pleased to find that while some sections had been modernized and renovated, the iconic aspects that had made the resorts famous remained unchanged. Margaret couldn't help but find the champagne tub initially amusing, but after taking a self-portrait with Corey, the two of them sitting in the tub, embracing, she realized that the resulting image focused more on the romance than anything cheesy.

The champagne tub images served as the central idea for Margaret and Corey's hotel project. They set out to discover destinations that embodied qualities like being playful, romantic, and exclusively for adults, as described by Margaret. Their objective was to identify places that embraced their offerings wholeheartedly while maintaining a non-serious attitude.

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Tracking down hotels

The "Northern Lights" room at the Don Q Inn in Wisconsin evokes an Arctic landscape.

Margaret and Corey Bienert/Courtesy Artisan Books

The couple arrived at the Gallery Holiday Motel in South Amboy, New Jersey, a hotel constructed in the 1980s. They encountered numerous mirrored-ceilings, plush velvet seats, and heart-shaped tubs, as well as a jungle-themed room and a beach suite. At the Victorian Inn in California, they were delighted to find a vintage car bed. Additionally, while staying at the Anniversary Inn, a hotel established in the 90s and with locations in Idaho and Utah, they were intrigued by a bathtub featuring an impressive phoenix rising from the ashes overhead.

However, they discovered that sleeping on heart-shaped beds was quite challenging, and the unconventional themed chairs were not particularly comfortable. Furthermore, they often encountered difficulties in locating power sockets.

Not all of the hotels that Margaret and Corey frequent are old relics from the 20th century. During their stay at the Designer Inn and Suites in Toledo, Iowa - which underwent redecoration in the early 2000s - the couple came across the "Hearts Delight" room. This unique room featured a velvet bed adorned with cupid designs, and pink heart-shaped mirrors on the ceiling. Additionally, they had a delightful experience exploring the vibrant pink-themed rooms at the Trixie Motel, which was designed by the renowned drag queen Trixie Mattel from "Ru Pauls Drag Race" and opened in 2022.

Another highlight for Margaret and Corey was the Best Western in Galena, Illinois, which offered rooms with an enchanting under-the-sea theme, complete with beds shaped like clam shells. This discovery made them realize that even chain hotels, especially when managed by creative franchise owners, can offer a few eccentric and charming rooms.

Margaret explains that the themed rooms cannot be used in advertising or promotional materials. She mentions that these rooms are sometimes referred to as secret rooms, which adds to the excitement of finding them.

While many of the hotels featured on Margaret and Corey's social media and in the book have similarities, there are a few hidden gems. Despite their preference for adult-only spaces, they also showcase family-friendly hotels like the Wildwood Inn in Florence, Kentucky. This particular hotel features a unique "arctic cave" room, perfect for both adults and children.

Some of the spaces offer unconventional interpretations of a hotel concept. For instance, there is the Love Cloud, a small airplane designed with a cozy red-sheeted bed. In Wisconsin, the Don Q Inn stands out as it features a converted airplane on the ground, along with an outer space-themed room and an Arctic-themed room with an unexpected polar bear encounter. Margaret shares that their ultimate aim as a couple has always been to let their hearts guide their travels.

To see something so over the top, and playful and fun, but also geared towards adults - I was in heaven because it felt so freeing.

Margaret Bienert, photographer

The hotels they feature, despite being highly Instagrammable, were established before cell phones became common. They are not widely promoted on social media and may not even have strong advertising presence. Margaret and Corey find potential hotels to visit by contacting designers and obtaining lists of the hotels they have worked on.

Additionally, they receive recommendations from social media users through word of mouth. When someone comments on a social media post saying, "My parents honeymooned at a place with a heart-shaped bed," Margaret inquiries about the precise location. Subsequently, Margaret and Corey mark the destinations on maps and embark on extensive road trips across the United States.

Margaret and Corey never go anywhere without their cameras. Their mutual love for photography brought them together during their college days. Although their artistic styles typically differ, they now share a strong creative vision for this project.

In addition to photos, Margaret and Corey also film footage to capture the suites in their entirety. This video allows them to give guided tours and provide explanations for the unique features found in the rooms. For instance, to understand how the floating champagne hot tub works, viewers can refer to Margaret's social media explainer. According to Margaret, it is an optical illusion created using mirrors. The tub is not actually supported by the stem but is instead positioned on the second floor, accessible by walking up from behind and stepping down into the tub. Although it protrudes from the wall, it is securely placed on the second floor.

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The meaning of kitsch

The Rain Forest room at the Designer Inn in Toledo, Iowa.

Margaret and Corey Bienert/Courtesy Artisan Books

Margaret and Corey, in their book, playfully tease the hotels they encounter with affection, always accompanied by genuine respect and admiration. Referring to these hotels as "kitsch" in their book title is intended as a compliment rather than an insult, according to them.

Margaret explains that there is a deliberate intention behind the amusing and frivolous nature of these hotels. The extensive research and exposure to numerous establishments only strengthen Margaret and Corey's conviction in this regard.

For Margaret, an intriguing consequence of the endeavor is the way it has confronted her conservative Christian upbringing. Both she and Corey were raised in Evangelical households, where Margaret acknowledges that "any manifestation of sexuality is an extremely sensitive topic." As a woman, Margaret confesses that she felt this acutely.

Reflecting on her life, Margaret admits that she has never experienced a time where she truly embraced her sexuality or felt welcome in doing so. However, both Margaret and Corey have distanced themselves from their religious upbringing. Margaret emphasizes that this project and their visits to adults-only establishments, such as the Mon Chalet swingers hotel in Colorado, have truly tested and altered her perception of herself.

For Margaret, this gets to the crux of the series:

She expresses her enjoyment in granting greater freedom to individuals, allowing them to embrace their true selves and discover satisfying romantic connections.

Furthermore, regardless of one's relationship status, she encourages finding avenues to express oneself and nurture personal identity. This could include sexual expressions or other forms of self-expression, as the very environment of such places can deeply inspire personal growth.

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Future of the themed hotel

Here's Margaret and Corey posing in the Sea Cave Suite at the Black Swan Inn in Idaho.

Margaret and Corey Bienert/Courtesy Artisan Books

While most of the hotels Margaret and Corey highlight are in the US, the book also spotlights a few elsewhere in the world.

Located in Ibiza, Spain, Romeos Motel & Diner draws inspiration from classic American hotels. The designer, Diego Calvo, reached out to Margaret and Corey on social media to inform them that many of their photographs had made it onto his moodboard.

Feeling honored, Margaret and Corey decided to pay a visit to the hotel. As soon as they laid eyes on the heart-shaped tubs and vibrant decor, they instantly fell in love with the space. This experience prompted them to ponder the future of quirky, themed hotels. While such establishments were once considered tacky and outdated, they now hold a certain allure for many young individuals, their fading glamour becoming increasingly appealing and intriguing. Margaret also suggests that the rise in popularity is due to people recognizing the fun and unexpected nature of these unique spaces, which are also highly shareable on social media.