Travel

Miami tourists once flocked to this area. See what ‘Motel Row’ looked like back then

By Miami Herald Archives
Motel Row traffic on Collins Avenue in 1956.
Motel Row traffic on Collins Avenue in 1956. Bob East Miami Herald File

The motels were far from luxurious. But they were whimsical and led right to the beach.

Motel Row, in what is now Sunny Isles Beach, gave families an affordable place to stay. During the day, kids frolicked by the pool. At night, parents crowded into the lobby theater to catch a comedian or a band.

All of the themed motels, with their kitschy architecture, are now gone. They’ve been replaced by soaring luxury towers.

MORE: Here’s what Motel Row looked like before Trump and other big buildings remade the skyline

Let’s look back at the Suez, Dunes, Castaways and others from the photo archives of the Miami Herald.

CORAL SEAS

In 1957, the Coral Seas Motel at Collins Avenue and 162nd Street.
In 1957, the Coral Seas Motel at Collins Avenue and 162nd Street. Miami Herald File

SAHARA

Seen in 2001, the old Sahara was a 1950s-era motels along Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles.
Seen in 2001, the old Sahara was a 1950s-era motels along Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File
The camel sculpture in front of the Sahara in 2001.
The camel sculpture in front of the Sahara in 2001. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File

CASTAWAYS

The Castaways Motel on Collins Avenue in 1964.
The Castaways Motel on Collins Avenue in 1964. Eamon Kennedy Miami Herald File
The entrance to the Castaways motel in 1978.
The entrance to the Castaways motel in 1978. Miami Herald File
A view of the Castaways in 1968.
A view of the Castaways in 1968. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File

SUEZ

Seen in 2001, the 50s-era Suez Motel, left.
Seen in 2001, the 50s-era Suez Motel, left. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File
The sphinx and pyramid in front of the Suez Motel, 18215 Collins Ave., in 2003.
The sphinx and pyramid in front of the Suez Motel, 18215 Collins Ave., in 2003. MARICE COHN BAND Miami Herald File
The Suez in 2001.
The Suez in 2001. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File

DUNES

The Dunes and Driftwood motels, as seen in 2001 as Sunny Isles was undergoing a transformation with the construction of new high-rises.
The Dunes and Driftwood motels, as seen in 2001 as Sunny Isles was undergoing a transformation with the construction of new high-rises. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File

THUNDERBIRD

The Thunderbird, seen in 2001, was the first four-story motel along Motel Row in Sunny Isles.
The Thunderbird, seen in 2001, was the first four-story motel along Motel Row in Sunny Isles. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File

DRIFTWOOD

The Driftwood in 2001, one of a collection of motels from the 1950s.
The Driftwood in 2001, one of a collection of motels from the 1950s. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File

FOUNTAINHEAD

In 1995, the Fountainhead motel in Sunny Isles.
In 1995, the Fountainhead motel in Sunny Isles. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File

OCEAN PALM

The Ocean Palm Motel, a simple two-story motel, debuted on New Year’s Day in 1951 and launched Motel row in Sunny Isles.
The Ocean Palm Motel, a simple two-story motel, debuted on New Year’s Day in 1951 and launched Motel row in Sunny Isles. Jared Lazarus Miami Herald File / 2001

MOTEL ROW

An aerial view of Motel Row looking north from Haulover.
An aerial view of Motel Row looking north from Haulover. Miami Herald File
Motel Row traffic in 1965.
Motel Row traffic in 1965. Bob East Miami Herald File

MORE: Before the glitzy high-rises, Sunny Isles was famed for its kitschy motel row

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