Carideon Motel
 
2200 Atlantic Avenue  
North Wildwood, NJ 08260  
(p)(609) 729-7900  
 

 
Doo Wop Discussion #5: SurfSide West Diner (Wildwood)
http://www.doowopusa.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1183739599
 
Doo Wop Discussion #4: Jolly Roger Motel (Wildwood Crest)
http://www.doowopusa.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1183094699
 
Doo Wop Discussion #3: Pink Champagne Motel (Wildwood)
http://www.doowopusa.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1182520248  
 
Doo Wop Discussion #2: New England Motel (North Wildwood)
http://www.doowopusa.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1181906799  
 
Doo Wop Discussion #1: Isle of Capri Motel (North Wildwood)
http://www.doowopusa.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1181234853  
 
Thanks again to everyone who has taken part in the discussions we've had thus far!
 
This week, we return to North Wildwood. The random drawing has selected the Carideon Motel, one of the larger motels in the area (yet a place that doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves).
 
Official Website
http://www.carideonmotel.com/
 
‘Wildwood Doo Wop’ Profile Page
http://www.wildwooddoowop.com/doowopspots/?ID=199&page=5&limit=20&se lectuse=motel
 
The Carideon has long been a popular landmark for North Wildwood vacationers, thanks to its location, size and standout color scheme/layout.
 
Here's what we know (or don't know) about the motel, for starters...
 
- I have been unable to determine the origin of the 'Carideon' name, thus far. Preliminary online searches turn up only general information on the motel itself. My best guess is that the name is some sort of takeoff on 'Caribbean,' a motel name that had already been taken, obviously, when the Carideon was built.
 
- On that note, I'm also still trying to pinpoint the year the Carideon was built. I have heard various estimates, ranging from 1962-1975. Judging by the motel's appearance and design, I would guess it was built in the mid-late 60s.  
 
- The motel is located in the southern portion of North Wildwood, four blocks from the Wildwood border. While the 'Atlantic Ave. strip' is considered a main thoroughfare with a great deal of commercial activity in Wildwood (and, to some extent, in the Crest), the area in which the Carideon is located is comparitively quieter and more 'residential.'
 
- This area also includes the Cardinal and Lollipop motels, the Carideon's neighbors across 23rd Ave. to the south and southeast, respectively. The Athens Restaurant is a block south. Aside from the demolition of the Sun Haven Motel (located right next to the Lollipop) a few years ago, this area has changed very little over the past three decades or so.
 
- The Carideon is something of a North Wildwood adnormality, as it's block-long layout (it spans Atlantic Ave. from 22nd to 23rd) gives it an appearance similar to many of the longer, linear motel structures in the Crest, south of Cardinal Rd. However, while those motels in the Crest run east-west, the Carideon is situated north-south, with all rooms facing east (toward the ocean).
 
- As for the motel itself, the Carideon is a three story structure highlighted by its zigzagging roofline and balconies, bright orange (formerly yellow) room doors and curtains, and yellow brick room exterior room dividers and railings. These gaudy features give the motel a very unique, playfully inviting appearance.
 
- Signage is provided by large plastic script logos which are situated atop brown brick support walls on the southern and eastern (above the office area) portions of the motel.
 
- The Carideon has a large pool out front, which is protected from the street by parking. A number of white globe lights situated on orange-painted brick supports (which match the motel's room doors and curtains) outline the area.  
 
- There is also a one-floor extention near the northern end of the motel, which stretches from the base of the motel to the street (toward the east). This area houses the motel's office and game room. It's 'roof' serves as the a sundeck.
 
Anybody else...?  
 

If my memory serves me, it was built and owned by the Corrideo family and that's how it got it's name. I had a freind in the RE biz and he talked (very kindly) about them. I don't know if they are still involved, but several yrs ago I heard they were considering a condo conversion that looks like it nvr went thru.
Great location; Lollipop and Cardinal on different corners. So motels take up 3 corners! Another "unusual" for NW.

Quote from mickeyfinz on Jul 13^th, 2007, 11:47am:

 
Thanks for the info, Mickey!
 
The name now makes more sense, being a play off of the Corrideo family name. I've found that a lot of older motels have (or had) name origins similar to this. That's a really neat way for a family to kind of put their own unique stamp on a place.
 
I also wonder if the Corrideos are still involved with the motel. I plan to write to them this weekend, and/or may stop by on my next trip down, to try and find out. I'm also interested in staying at the Carideon.
 
You're right about the location; it's terrific. It's relatively quiet back on that area of Atlantic, even at night. But, it's sort of 'festive' in it's own way, with the Carideon, Cardinal and Lollipop right there.
 
(Hey... after typing out that last paragraph, I wonder if 'Cardinal' was some sort of play on the Corrideo name as well. I have no idea whether the family owned that motel as well, but considering the similarity of the name and the proximity of the two motels, it does seem possible... or, it's just a coincidence... Hmmmm...)
 
I did not realize there was some sort of attempt in the works to do a 'condo conversion' with the Carideon. I wonder what happened, and/or whether that plan is still alive, in any form.  

Cool, good to know; I figured it was worth taking a stab at.  
 
I'm assuming the Cardinal's annex building (northwest corner of 24th & Atlantic) was built later. Also, I'm fairly certain that that motel's main building was originally two stories. The Cardinal also had a terrific roadside neon sign, originally. I'll try to dig up an old postcard.
 
So, the Corrideos previously lived in a house on the grounds where the Carideon stands today? Judging from your timeline, I also take it that the Carideon popped up some time in the early 70s. The DWPL map has the Lollipop listed as being built in 1970, though I know a lot of the dates on that are wrong.
 
Your description of the house that was replaced by the Lollipop reminds me of the home that still stands just north of the Lollipop, directly across Atlantic from the Carideon. It's a big, beautful brick house with features similar to the ones you mentioned.  
 
Do you know the one I'm talking about? It has always intrigued me; I wonder if it was similar (or, perhaps even identical) in design to the one that was replaced by the Lollipop.
 
I'll post a pic of it tonight... I'm sure I have one on my computer at home...

Great pick, Al.  The Carideon seems to get forgotten or not noticed by some, which is probably influenced by it's location, though the Lollipop always seemed to be pretty well known.
 
It's a cool looking, nicely designed Motel.  The outside always looks very good whenever I pass it.  I'm not sure if the interiors are in need of a renovation/remodel/enhancement or not.  IMO, judging from the pictures on their site, they probably could - maybe they could do something that better compliments the exterior...

Thanks to many of you here, I decided to look beyond the familiar Crest and look around the rest of the island, including North Wildwood.  I came across the Carideon a few days ago and while I knew absolutely nothing about it at the time, I'm sure that's going to change over the next few days.  Good choice, Al.  Oh wait... the selections are random, right?
 
I was wondering about the origin of that name.  Not exactly an expected moniker for a motel.

Thanks Mike - I've never seen that.  There's something interesting about the pattern...

I like it too