15 ’80s Vacation Resort Trends That Have Faded
These 1980s resort trends once defined vacation glamour but have faded away with changing tastes, heightened health awareness, and a shift toward more authentic and sustainable travel experiences.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
The 1980s were a golden age for resort travel, full of extravagance, playful kitsch, and indulgent pastimes that catered to carefree tourists. From mirrored jacuzzis to beach limbo contests, these trends reflected a different kind of escapism, rooted in glamorized leisure and novelty. As the world became more conscious of culture, health, and sustainability, many of these once-beloved features were left behind in favor of more mindful, modern vacationing.
1. Swim-Up Bars with Neon Lights
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Back in the ’80s, swim-up bars were all the rage, especially those decked out in glowing neon signs and bright plastic stools submerged in water. You’d grab a piña colada while waist-deep in a pool, chatting with strangers you’d just met. These days, while some luxury resorts still offer them, the fluorescent aesthetic has mostly been replaced with sleeker, more minimalist designs.
2. Themed Dinner Buffets Every Night
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Resorts loved throwing nightly buffets inspired by different countries: Mexican Mondays, Tiki Tuesdays, and so on. You’d see staff in full costume and diners snapping Polaroids with sombreros. The concept faded as travel became more globalized and tourists expected authentic cuisine, not themed novelties.
3. Aerobics by the Pool
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Jane Fonda-style aerobics classes in high-cut leotards and sweatbands were once a staple at resort poolsides. Guests of all ages would jump, kick, and grapevine to synth-heavy beats blaring from boomboxes. Today’s wellness activities lean more toward yoga, mindfulness, and quiet nature hikes.
4. Limbo Nights and Hula Contests
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Entertainment teams at resorts once organized nightly limbo games and hula-hoop contests, complete with canned applause and disco lighting. Tourists lined up after dinner, drink in hand, hoping to win a complimentary T-shirt or a fruity cocktail. Over time, these contests felt forced, and guests began to seek more immersive cultural experiences.
5. Over-the-Top Ice Sculptures
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Whether it was a swan, a dolphin, or a palm tree, resorts in the ’80s loved showcasing massive ice sculptures at buffet tables or wedding receptions. The bigger and more intricate, the better. Eventually, the novelty wore off, and sustainability concerns put a chill on the trend.
6. In-Room Jacuzzis with Mirrors on the Ceiling
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A certain type of romance in the ’80s meant heart-shaped tubs, mood lighting, and wall-to-wall mirrors. Couples’ suites were designed for bold, glitzy indulgence. As interior design tastes evolved, most resorts remodeled these rooms to offer more subtle and relaxing vibes.
7. All-You-Can-Drink Wristbands
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One-color wristbands once granted guests unlimited access to the bar, and it wasn’t uncommon to see people walking around with multiple frozen cocktails in hand. It was a dream for partygoers but a nightmare for resort staff trying to maintain order. Modern resorts now focus more on drink quality and moderation, often adding a premium cost structure.
8. Sun Reflectors and Baby Oil Tanning
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Poolside loungers could be seen with aluminum reflectors and glistening baby oil slathered on their skin in the hopes of achieving the deepest tan possible. It was a badge of honor to return home several shades darker. That trend faded as awareness about skin cancer and sun damage grew.
9. Polaroid Souvenir Photographers
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Uniformed staff once roamed the beaches and buffets, snapping Polaroids of guests mid-dance or mid-daquiri. You’d collect them at the front desk the next morning, slightly overexposed and oddly framed, but charming all the same. The rise of smartphones and digital cameras made this personal touch obsolete.
10. Disco-Themed Beach Parties
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’70s disco spilled into the ’80s, and resorts kept it alive with themed beach parties complete with mirror balls, roller skates, and Bee Gees blaring from oversized speakers. Sand got everywhere, but no one cared. These days, beach events are more chill and focus on acoustic sets or bonfires.
11. Cheesy Welcome Lei Ceremonies
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Upon check-in at many tropical resorts, guests were once greeted with a synthetic flower lei, a sugary rum punch, and a half-hearted “Aloha!” even outside of Hawaii. It felt festive but ultimately inauthentic. Most modern resorts now aim to honor local culture more respectfully.
12. Ping-Pong and Shuffleboard Tournaments
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Afternoon announcements over crackly loudspeakers summoned guests for ping-pong, shuffleboard, or lawn bowling contests. Winners received cheap medals or “I Won in Paradise” T-shirts. With new resort activities ranging from mixology classes to jet surfing, these low-tech games have largely faded into nostalgia.
13. Resort Karaoke Nights on Cassette
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Karaoke at resorts in the ’80s meant outdated machines, cassette backing tracks, and an audience of mildly drunk strangers. The same five songs would play on repeat, from “Sweet Caroline” to “Love Shack.” It was kitschy fun, but digital streaming and private booths have since made it feel dated.
14. Hair Braiding Stands
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Along the beach or by the pool, you’d find women offering tight cornrows with colorful beads, often done with little concern for cultural context or hair health. Tourists lined up, eager to go home with a “vacation hairstyle.” That trend faded as travelers became more sensitive to cultural appropriation.
15. Travel Agent Exclusive Packages
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Booking a resort vacation in the ’80s usually meant going through a travel agent who had a glossy brochure and exclusive packages, complete with paper tickets and coupons. The entire experience felt curated and a little mysterious. With online booking and instant reviews, those tightly bundled resort packages are now relics of a different era.