17 Old-Fashioned Resort Amenities You Won’t Find Today
This list reveals old-fashioned resort amenities that used to define vacation luxury but have mostly disappeared.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
These 17 resort features were once considered top-tier hospitality perks. This list brings back memories of how resorts used to pamper guests in personal and charming ways. It is a simple reminder of how travel has changed over the years.
1. Poolside Ice Cream Parlor Carts
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Resorts once rolled out charming ice cream carts right to the pool, complete with striped awnings and uniformed servers. Guests could choose from sherbets, sundaes, or scoops of pistachio in a glass dish — no need to leave their sun loungers. Today, you are more likely to find vending machines or snack bars tucked away near the lobby.
2. Mid-Century Striped Umbrellas & Lounge Chairs
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Bold striped umbrellas and aluminum-framed loungers were used to color pool decks in every direction. These classic designs were not just stylish — they made every vacation photo pop. Most modern resorts now favor neutral tones and sleek silhouettes that lack that retro flair.
3. Live Piano in the Lobby Bar
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A live pianist in the lobby once set the mood for the evening, playing a range of music from show tunes to romantic ballads. It added warmth and elegance that playlists simply cannot replicate. These days, piped-in music and silent check-ins have made lobbies far less memorable.
4. Semi-Private Cabana Rentals
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Resorts used to offer curtained cabanas with drink service, fresh towels, and even massage menus tucked into side tables. It was luxury that felt both indulgent and personal. Now, most poolside setups are just loungers lined in rows, with little privacy or charm.
5. Flamboyant Stained-Glass Spa Halls
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Early spa rooms often featured stained-glass windows and colorful tile mosaics that made every soak feel like a spiritual retreat. The decor turned wellness into a grand experience, not just a treatment. Modern spas may be sleeker, but they rarely feel as soulful.
6. Formal Tea Rooms & Afternoon Tea Service
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Afternoon tea was once a daily ritual, served in elegant rooms with white linens, china cups, and pastry tiers. Guests would dress up and chat over Earl Grey and scones like it was an event. Now, tea time has mostly vanished unless you book it specially or visit a heritage property.
7. Letter Writing Stations with Custom Postcards
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Many resorts offered guests beautiful writing desks, stocked with stationery embossed with the resort’s crest. You could write a note to loved ones and send it out with a custom stamp or wax seal. It was a thoughtful gesture that email and group chats never quite replaced.
8. Polaroid Cameras for Guest Use
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Some resorts lent out Polaroid cameras so guests could snap instant vacation memories. It was a fun, hands-on way to capture moments before smartphones took over. Today, even photo booths feel rare, let alone something as charming as a shared camera cart.
9. Grand Library Lounges with Fireplaces
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Resorts once had libraries stocked with hardcovers, deep armchairs, and actual roaring fireplaces. Guests could relax with a book and a nightcap in total quiet. Now, that space is more likely to be a business center or gym.
10. Croquet, Bocce & Lawn Bocci Courts
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Games like croquet and bocce were once resort staples, often set up on perfectly trimmed lawns with equipment ready to go. Guests could play while sipping lemonade and chatting with other vacationers. Today, lawns are decorative, and games have been replaced by mobile apps.
11. Outdoor Tin-Tub Mineral Bathing Pools
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Some resorts offered open-air metal tubs filled with mineral water, placed under the stars for nighttime soaks. The rustic setup added charm and felt like a true escape from city life. Now, most baths are tucked inside spa buildings, far from the outdoor magic.
12. In-Resort Shuffleboard & Croquet Equipment
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Shuffleboard courts and croquet gear were once offered as part of the stay; no reservations needed. They made outdoor lounging feel active but still relaxing. Most modern resorts have replaced them with fitness centers and yoga rooms.
13. Butler-Delivered Breakfast Trays
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Morning trays with fresh juice, coffee, eggs, and toast used to arrive quietly at your door or even poolside. Delivered with polished silverware and a linen napkin, it felt like royalty. These days, breakfast is often buffet-style or sent up in a paper bag.
14. Vinyl Record Music Rooms
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Select resorts had record libraries where you could pick out a vinyl LP and play it in a cozy room or private suite. It was a personal way to wind down, curated to your own taste. Streaming music has taken over, but it lacks the tactile joy of flipping through records.
15. Handwritten Welcome Letters by Managers
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Checking into a resort once meant finding a handwritten note from the manager on your desk, welcoming you by name. It was a small but meaningful gesture that made you feel like more than just a reservation number. Now, you are lucky if the front desk remembers your room.
16. Post-Dinner Dance Halls
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Ballrooms were often the highlight of the evening, with couples dancing under chandeliers to live music. It brought people together in a way few activities do today. Most resorts now end the night with a DJ at a lounge or just a silent lobby.
17. Waterman’s Film Proof Projector & Cinema Nights
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Resorts hosted open-air movie nights with old film projectors and popcorn stands under the stars. Families would bring blankets or sit in wooden deck chairs to watch classics together. Now, movie night means plugging into your own device and watching alone.