THE ROVING EYE.

THE Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is bucking the trend of the traditional hotel cocktail area by opening up a tiki lounge, reminiscent of the Polynesian bars that were popular in the 1950s.

"A sports bar or a nightclub was not the calling card we wanted," said Wilshire Grand General Manager John Stoddard. "We wanted to create an absolutely unique experience for people downtown."

The hotel's Point Moorea-being billed as "a 21st Century Polynesian Lounge"- opens to the street at the corner of Seventh and Figueroa streets. Two chrome palm trees lit by multicolored bulbs serve as landmarks in front of the entrance.

The space inside is divided into three sections: the Martini Bar, paneled in zebrawood, the Grand Bar with pool tables and seating, and the Boat Deck, designed with teak wood and fashioned after the deck of a sailboat. The latter is the center of entertainment for the lounge, with an in-house deejay and a nine-screen video wall. A private room called the Harem Room can accommodate up to 30 people for private parties.

Point Moorea carries the Polynesian theme down to the staff's uniforms, which are Polynesian print shirts.

Other South Pacific island touches include fiber-optic ceiling lights that mimic the South Sea stars and simulated red lava running through the floor.

The lounge is the first tiki-inspired bar to open downtown, but not the first in Los Angeles. Some have come and gone, but those still open include Trader Vic's in Beverly Hills, Tiki Ti in Silverlake and Jack's Sugar Shack in Hollywood.