The Tropical saga Hotels

The tropical saga had its glory years at the beginning of the 21st century and, undoubtedly attracted by its magnetism and by the infinite business possibilities, many hotels bid hard to do "product placement" of services. This "service placement" sought to make the target audience of this film saga, forty years old men with a subscription to Pay per view TV, relate those hotels with the intrinsic values ​​of Bellocchio's films. Very soon, they would book a week-long stay in paradise to see if they would suffer the same fate as the films' protagonists.

Next we are going to analyze the hotels, tell a little about their history and briefly explain the scenes in which they appear. Be very careful because there are quite a few hidden spoilers, and even a quick read could spoil the plot of these films.

Hotel Catalonia La Romana (Sunrise)

This hotel has a residual appearance at the beginning of the movie Sunrise, when the camera flies over the coast of the Dominicus Bayahibe region, in the southern part of the Dominican Republic. The director seems to want to imply that they are going to stay in this complex, when the truth is that Jennifer and Susan, undisputed protagonists of this magnificent feature film, are going to spend a few dreamy weeks in an immense villa with a private pool. This villa is actually located in the Le Devens urbanization, in Mougins, in a cul de sac, near Cannes (France).

The Catalonia hotel chain, owned by the Vallet brothers, currently has 74 resorts distributed in countries such as Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In 2002 the firm still did not have such a reputation and perhaps for that reason they pressured Bellocchio to appear at the beginning of the film, even if it was merely a testimonial. Max rented an ultralight to take the shot because no expense was spared with the tropical saga.

Sunrise

Relais de la Reine (Caribbean Vacation)

This complex of aparthotels, located on the Croissette in Cannes, is a luxurious property where stays of a couple of weeks are offered at a truly exaggerated price. It appears in “Caribbean Vacation”, and it is where one of the diamond exchanges with right of stay takes place, to which Franco is so accustomed. In the film it is supposed to be called the Hotel Sur... In any case, it is still a merely testimonial appearance at the end of this 2003 feature film.

Caribbean Vacation

La villa du Soleil (Tequila Bum Bum, Ocean Dream, Aphrodisiac, Tropical Twins)

(CLOSED)

The Villa du Soleil hotel would fit perfectly into the accommodation that a group of lower-middle class friends are looking for for their marketing engineer friend's bachelor party. Rooms with the smell of a built-in wardrobe, windows worn by saltpeter, stained sheets, a shower with hospital tiles, dampness on the walls, a nondescript parking lot typical of a standard American motel and a reception where a huge cupboard full of Typical activities for this type of getaway: karting, paintball, catamaran ride and even diving.

The only acceptable thing is a swimming pool that, without great fanfare, at least covers the file. Unfortunately for fans of the saga, the Villa du Soleil hotel was completely demolished a couple of years ago. Its proximity to the national highway prevented guests from sleeping beyond 9 in the morning, when the rush of cars begins in the vicinity of Saint Dennis. In the Tropical saga, the hotel appears in several films. For example, it is the nerve center of “Tequila Bum Bum”, since everyone stays there, and even a burglary occurs, which does not speak very well of the business management. In “Ocean Dream” you can see the purely tourist intention of this cheap resort, with a reception adapted for this purpose. It is the headquarters of the tour operator Pascal and plays a key role in the final scene, since a live police arrest takes place there; bad vibes again. Finally, in “Aphrodisiac” is the place where the students meet and devise a strategy to prepare the concoction to dominate them all... Chemical violence on the big screen to finish screwing up the image of Villa du soleil. Surely this negatively affected the volume of reserves and that is why they had to close a couple of years ago.

Tequila Bum Bum

Ocean Dream

Aphrodisiac

Tropical Twins

Ilet Thierry (Coral Honeymoon, Caribbean Airlines)

(CLOSED)

On a small islet, on the eastern coast of Martinique, there is a hotel, currently disused, which is accessed after mooring your boat at an iconic dock with a palm tree. It is possible to see it in the tropical saga both at the beginning of “Coral Honeymoon”, when the newly married couple arrives after their long journey from the Old Continent. This is a fiction by the Neapolitan director because in reality they stay during the rest of the film in the Habitation Lagrange. In any case, the Ilet Thierry also appears in “Caribbean Airlines”, as a welcome for the stewardesses and in some other “filler” scenes. ”, as well as in a negotiation to obtain privileged information and favored treatment towards the flight attendants.

Coral Honeymoon

Caribbean Airlines

Habitation Lagrange (Coral Honeymoon, Caribbean Airlines, Sexy Business)

(CLOSED)

In a beautiful spot in the east of the island of Martinique is this hotel that is currently completely abandoned... It has three main buildings where clients stayed, enjoyed its restaurant, library and billiards area. Its pool is also a spectacle and has been a recurring location for the Italian filmmaker Max Bellocchio since he has filmed there on three occasions: for “Sexy Business”, “Coral Honeymoon” and “Caribbean Airlines”. It's a shame that its location, in the middle of a plantation dating back to the 18th century, in the Marigot region, is a little far from the tourist routes.

In “Sexy Business” it is a tycoon's estate where he is going to entertain potential buyers of his new technological invention. In “Coral Honeymoon” it is the hotel chosen by a newly married couple for their wedding trip. On “Caribbean Airlines” several flight attendants are going to spend a few days in the Caribbean before losing contact forever due to a forced transfer.

Coral Honeymoon

Caribbean Airlines

Sexy Business

Hotel Arawak (Sin Island)

The Arawak Hotel is the resort chosen by Edgar's editor, Ross, so that his writer of exotic novels can be inspired by the Caribbean breezes. This resort proclaims itself one of the pillars of tourism in Guadeloupe and was completely renovated some time ago after eight years completely closed.

The Antilleans did not want to allow a hotel that appeared in a film as successful as “Sin Island” to have its blinds drawn and lobbied to promote its reopening. The entire island turned upside down and finally, the Arawak Hotel receives visitors who come eager to sleep at least one night in the room that Ross reserved. Movie buffs have no measure. The meaning of its name, Arawak, is related to the Arawakan tribe, indigenous people of northern South America, the coast of Guyana and the Antilles. A nod to the roots looking towards the future.

Sin Island

Maygualida´s Vacations (Fantasy Lagoon)

Property of the Arqeco Caribbean real estate agency, this resort with a spectacular pool topped with a most romantic Chinese bridge, is located next to La Estancia Country Club, which is a golf course that is the main protagonist in the Tropicana Flashbacks review. In the film “Fantasy Lagoon”, Mr Davies is the owner and Maurizio stays there on a business trip paid for by Mr Renzi, a trip whose objective is the acquisition of the entire complex to promote it for tourism. The trip to the other side of the Atlantic changes Maurizio's life and he soon decides to stay there to live, to enjoy the sun, the beach and women.

Fantasy Lagoon

Hotel Caserma (Puerto Rican Affairs) (On vacation with my slim sister)

This hotel in Bayahibe is located near the sea, but not exactly on the seafront, but in a quiet area near a golf course. It offers 23 3-star rooms and stands out for its swimming pool with a small waterfall. It is a very idyllic place, where you can rest simply and enjoy some good cocktails. It is necessary to review its tribal decoration, which is reflected in the ethnic lamps at the reception, as well as its friendly receptionist, who has been forever immortalized in this peculiar film saga.

In Puerto Rican Affairs, Mr. Rossi and his girlfriend Anita choose this resort to spend a vacation that will change their lives forever. In On vacation with my slim sister, Angela stays here when she goes to visit her sister Sarah in the Dominican Republic.

Puerto Rican Affairs

On vacation with my slim sister

Pierre & Vacances Village Club Sainte-Anne (Deadly love in Paradise, Caribbean Dream)

This hotel was opened in 1999 and was a milestone as it marked the first opening on the other side of the pond for this chain that was born in 1967 as a ski resort in Avoriaz. This set of colonial-style villas has a secondary role at the beginning of “Deadly love in Paradise” and also appears fleetingly in the first minutes of “Caribbean Dream”. The function of the hotel is, basically, to place us south of the Grande Terre de Guadeloupe, which later made it easier to find other locations in the film, such as the villa with an octagonal pool where Jack and Deb live, the undisputed protagonists of “Deadly Love.” in Paradise” or the villa with two modules that the CEO of Caribe Dream Real Estate shows to potential buyers.

Deadly love in paradise

Caribbean dream

Chateau du Rouillon (Aphrodisiac, Tropical Twins)

What can we say about this impressive 17th century castle on the banks of the Seine. In an incomparable setting, this chateau has a wonderful, very well-kept garden, where you can walk listening to the chirping of birds such as the striking tit, the blackcap and the blue tit. Their breakfasts, with homemade jams, and eggs to suit the guest, do not leave anyone dissatisfied. Great scenes took place in its rooms, such as the beginning of “Aphrodisiac”, in the preparations for the expedition in search of Roman ruins to the Indian Ocean, or in “Tropical Twins”, when Silver's betrayal of his twin brother Ventura takes place... in short. , a mythical place in the saga that could not be missing from this bonus track article.

Aphrodisiac

Tropical twins

Les Bangas (African Temptation, Studs and Coconuts)

In the eastern part of the island of Mayotte, a French overseas territory, stands this impressive resort made up of very romantic cabins built with logs and a mosquito net surrounding the entire bed, in the purest Out of Africa style. He appears in notable films in the saga such as “African Temptation” and “Studs & Coconuts”… in scenes of capital importance such as when Bruno, Marco and Sergio argue about who will win the Cross World Airlines contest, or when Thomas informs Eric that That weekend he has to stand guard, even though his girlfriend has come from Europe to visit him... A very special corner where all kinds of embarrassing situations occur.

African Temptation

Studs & Coconuts

Marcantonio hotel (Summermix Job in Guadeloupe 2)

The Marcantonio hotel is located on the outskirts of the Giugliano town in Campania, on the outskirts of Naples. This ordinary-style hotel, with strident red colors, neoclassical statues made of papier-mâché and royal thrones with animal print upholstery, is the typical hotel for extramarital couples, who arrive in a car with tinted windows, park behind the hedges and park. They shelter behind “Dior Ski 1” sunglasses and a silk pashmina in dark tones… In this place, which appears repeatedly in “Summermix Job in Guadeloupe 2” Óscar meets frequently with his father-in-law. Óscar is the victim of a trap from which he will never be able to escape successfully, but he only realizes it at the end, when nothing has a solution.

Summermix Job in Guadeloupe II

BONUS TRACK:

Plantation Grand Café (Summermix Job in Guadeloupe 1) 

(MUSEUM)

This is a bonus track because it is a museum, and it is neither a hotel nor an aparthotel. However, we could not fail to mention the colossal plantation and its colonial building that welcome the only microsaga within this collection of tropical films: Summermix Job in Guadeloupe. 

On its iconic porch, Óscar poses as the landowner who owns the estate, Pascal Le Fleur, to, taking advantage of his status as employer, get the most out of all the candidates who apply for a job at the resort. One lie leads to another and in the end, he ends up sinking into a spiral of economic scams that will cause financial disaster in the French Antilles. Bananas are grown around the hotel, and they have tractors with trailers in which they show you all the fruit crops.

Summermix Job in Guadeloupe I

FIN 

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