In the 1950s Hawaii was a newly discovered mecca for rank-and-file tourists seeking a place in the sun for their vacation. Economy airfares put the Hawaiian Islands within reach of the middle class and visitors increasingly chose Honolulu over Miami Beach.
To counteract this shift in tourist dollars, some Miami Beach hotel operators attempted to give their guests a touch of Hawaii by renaming their properties and adding Hawaiian themed floor shows and luaus.
The Waikiki Resort Motel was located at 18801 Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles. The 60-room Waikiki was designed by architect William Friedman and built in 1953. It initially cost $24,000 to build, but after two additional buildings were added the Waikiki grew to 342 rooms and had a beautiful 300-foot beach front.
I stayed at this motel on vacation as a child in the late 60s. Do you know if its still there or when it was torn down if its gone?
I’m told that ALL the low-rise motels in that area are now long gone, and have been replaced by high-rise condos.
Ain’t progress grand?
I used to go to Waikiki as a kid during late 80′s through the mid 90′s. It was the best , lots of great memories. We would stay for a week every year during August during my birthday. This was the best Birthday gifts I have ever received, Thank you Mom and Dad.
It’s still there. between the Trump towers. Stayed there 2 weeks ago, 25 years since last
A bit down hill, but still ok.
i am from quebec canada and the firs time i went in miami in 1970 for two weeks we stayed at the wikiki motel it was fantastic
thanks
My father worked there in the 60s and 70s and we spent our summers there. I haven’t been to Miami Beach in over 30 years so I know not if its still there although I tend to believe it’s not. I moved to the real Waikiki actually!
I will never forget this place! Lots of wonderful childhood memories in the 80′s and early 90′s. I joined as a member in facebook. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollywoodplace/5672857712/
My Grandfather Jake Goldstein used to manage the hotel from about 1944 to the early 1960′s with his wife Naomi and my father use to be a bellhop in the summers.
I stayed at the motel in the early 60′s when I was a kid. It was a great time in Miami Beach with motels and hotels along the beach. Across Collins Ave. it was still very residential with private homes, not hi-rise condos. I remember the shuffleboard and high dive tournaments, the ice cream shop, the movie and bingo nights. Not far from the motel there was the Rascal House and Wolfie’s. I had great memories of my Christmas vacations at the Waikiki Motel.
We went to the Waikiki for about 7 years in a row in the late 60′s, early 70′s, as a family. It was our yearly treat from my grandfather and we’d stay for at least two weeks. It’s still there, as are the two pools, one fresh water and the big one being salt water. It’s now called the Sunny Isles Beach resort. My sister went o Miami a few years ago and asked if she could go to the back and they let her. She took some shots and not much has changed. The building where they played bingo is still there as is the “craft room”, where we sued to make clay crafts and paint them ourselves. The Aloha Lounge is still there, just not sure what it’s called now. The Pineapple Bowl Coffee Shop building is still there, but not used. Ahhh, the shuffle board we played. The Marco Polo is still next door but I don’t think they have the high divers anymore.
I must take a trip one day with my wife and kids. What amazing memories. I think they petitioned a couple of years ago to keep the Rascal House going, but the owner’s may have caved to the almighty dollar. Too bad if they did, that was THE place to eat. Thanks for the memories on this friends, what an awesome time in life.