Travel

Hotels in Miami used to look like that? See landmarks that helped put the 305 on map

By Miami Herald Archives

The Americana. The Dupont Plaza. The Everglades.

These are some of the grand hotels that helped put Miami on the map. Now, they are just memories, replaced with luxury towers.

What were hotels like in the old days? Many had Mediterranean or MiMo designs. Grand lobbies. Showrooms with bands and theatrical productions.

Let’s take a look back at some of these old hotels in the archives of the Miami Herald:

Roney Plaza

The original Roney Plaza in Miami Beach in 1946.
The original Roney Plaza in Miami Beach in 1946. Miami Herald File

Americana

Americana hotel in Bal Harbour. I was demolished in 2007, and a St. Regis resort is now on the site.
Americana hotel in Bal Harbour. I was demolished in 2007, and a St. Regis resort is now on the site. Miami Herald File
Another view of the Americana in Bal Harbour in 1979, before it became a Sheraton.
Another view of the Americana in Bal Harbour in 1979, before it became a Sheraton. Miami Herald File
Americana Hotel as seen from the Atlantic.
Americana Hotel as seen from the Atlantic. Miami Herald File
The Americana hotel lobby in 1977.
The Americana hotel lobby in 1977. Miami Herald File

Dupont Plaza

The Dupont stood where the Royal Palm hotel was located in the Henry Flagler years.
The Dupont stood where the Royal Palm hotel was located in the Henry Flagler years. Miami Herald File
Dupont Plaza on the bayfront, seen in 1996.
Dupont Plaza on the bayfront, seen in 1996. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File
The lower floors of the Dupont Plaza hotel in 1969.
The lower floors of the Dupont Plaza hotel in 1969. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald
Dupont Plaza, flanked by with highway ramps, seen in 1968 from first National Bank Building.
Dupont Plaza, flanked by with highway ramps, seen in 1968 from first National Bank Building. Miami Herald File
Dupont Plaza in dowtown Miami in 1968.
Dupont Plaza in dowtown Miami in 1968. Miami Herald File

Everglades / Columbus / McAllister

The WTVJ television tower on the top of the Everglades Hotel.
The WTVJ television tower on the top of the Everglades Hotel. Miami Herald File
In 1952, the Everglades Hotel in downtown Miami.
In 1952, the Everglades Hotel in downtown Miami. Bob East Miami Herald File
The desk at the Everglades Hotel in 1979.
The desk at the Everglades Hotel in 1979. Bob East Miami Herald File
Construction site in 1970 between Flagler and First streets with McAllister hotel in background.
Construction site in 1970 between Flagler and First streets with McAllister hotel in background. Miami Herald File
In 1960, the Columbus Hotel’s Vizcaya Room.
In 1960, the Columbus Hotel’s Vizcaya Room. Miami Herald File
The Vizcaya Room at the Columbus Hotel in 1960.
The Vizcaya Room at the Columbus Hotel in 1960. Miami Herald File
Everglades Hotel room in 1960.
Everglades Hotel room in 1960. Bob East Miami Herald File
Rubble of the Mcalaster hotel next to the Columbus hotel in downtown Miami. Both were demolished.
Rubble of the Mcalaster hotel next to the Columbus hotel in downtown Miami. Both were demolished. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
Twins contest and an underwater egg hunt at the Everglades pool in 1960.
Twins contest and an underwater egg hunt at the Everglades pool in 1960. John Pineda Miami Herald File
The Everglades Hotel overlooking Bayfront Park, shown in the process of having its entire exterior refinished.
The Everglades Hotel overlooking Bayfront Park, shown in the process of having its entire exterior refinished. Miami Herald File

Castaways

Castaways Motel in 1968 in what became Sunny Isles Beach. It is now the site of the Oceania condo complex.
Castaways Motel in 1968 in what became Sunny Isles Beach. It is now the site of the Oceania condo complex. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
The entrance to the Castaways in 1978.
The entrance to the Castaways in 1978. Miami Herald File

Nautilus

In 1949, the Nautilus Hotel, now the site of Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.
In 1949, the Nautilus Hotel, now the site of Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Miami Herald File
The inside of the Nautilus.
The inside of the Nautilus. Miami Herald File

Great Southern

The Great Southern Hotel historical photo of 1920s building near Young Circle in Hollywood.
The Great Southern Hotel historical photo of 1920s building near Young Circle in Hollywood. Miami Herald File
Great Southern Hotel was demolished several years, replaced with a residential tower and a replica facade.
Great Southern Hotel was demolished several years, replaced with a residential tower and a replica facade. Candace Barbot Miami Herald File

Deauville

The original McFadden Deauville in Miami Beach, before being replaced by the MiMo hotel Deauville, which also was demolished,
The original McFadden Deauville in Miami Beach, before being replaced by the MiMo hotel Deauville, which also was demolished, Miami Herald File
The Deauville pool, built in the 1920s, was later expanded Into a hotel in the 1930s.
The Deauville pool, built in the 1920s, was later expanded Into a hotel in the 1930s. Miami Herald File
LAST LOOK at the McFadden Deauville hotel swimming pool, something of a landmark on Miami Beach is afforded here. This was the first Olympic-sized States. Pete Desjardins, Miami’s first Olympian, trained in it. Now the hotel is being torn down to make way for a new one.
LAST LOOK at the McFadden Deauville hotel swimming pool, something of a landmark on Miami Beach is afforded here. This was the first Olympic-sized States. Pete Desjardins, Miami’s first Olympian, trained in it. Now the hotel is being torn down to make way for a new one. Miami Herald File
Musicians Pat and Doris McCormick played at the Carillon and Deauville hotels from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Musicians Pat and Doris McCormick played at the Carillon and Deauville hotels from the 1950s through the 1970s. Miami Herald File
Deauville Hotel in 1963.
Deauville Hotel in 1963. Bill Sanders Miami Herald File

This story was originally published October 15, 2024 at 8:13 AM.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Uniquely Miami

See all stories
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER