The trip between New York and Miami took 29 hours on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, but only a little over four hours on an Eastern Airlines Lockheed Constellation. Often added to this mix was the cost of transportation to and from Miami via air or rail, and it was the battle between the well-established railroads and the ever-expanding airlines where the competition for tourist dollars was most fierce. Shopping along Lincoln Road was also affected as shopping arcades within the larger hotels siphoned more and more dollars away from local merchants. The American Plan shares at least some responsibility as a cause of Miami Beach’s decline since it contributed to the downfall of many clubs and restaurants in the area. In the midst of this battle for tourist dollars, the “American Plan” was conceived where hotels combined the price of rooms, meals and entertainment together in one low rate with the idea of holding on to every possible source of tourist revenue. During one six-month period alone, four major hotels, including the Saxony and the Cadillac, all filed for bankruptcy while another 25 teetered on the verge. Toward the end of the decade some of Miami Beach’s top hotels would lapse into bankruptcy after a disastrous 1957-58 season caused by unseasonably frigid temperatures. With an ever-increasing debt load mounting year after year, management’s ability to cover costs soon became strained and the competition for tourist dollars in Miami Beach reached unprecedented levels. The post-war tourism boom in Miami Beach was so good in fact, many hotels built during this period were flipped to new owners time and time again through a system of shell corporations and questionable lease agreements, and for prices that often reached stratospheric levels. In the mid-1950s Miami Beach tourism was booming as visitor counts climbed by double digits year-over-year thanks to the vast number of new hotels built along Collins Avenue after the end of World War II.
Local historians often point to the 1970s as the beginning of a decline in tourism that ultimately left Miami Beach disfavored by travelers for almost 20 years, but, the seeds of that decline were sown at least a decade earlier. But, by the late 1950s the Miami Beach experience had become a commodity - a pre-packaged, vacation-on-a-stick experience that was sold to middle America by legions of hotel hucksters intent on making a fast buck off of the illusion of glamour that others had created. Miami Beach was conceived as a glamorous tropical destination where well-to-do visitors could enjoy the sun and surf unfettered by the masses.
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It was the last gasp of a dying scene and a harbinger of radical change that would ultimately come full circle. Middle America took cha-cha lessons by the pool. It was a time when Sinatra crooned in the big Miami Beach hotels while Mr.
So if you’re looking for a little more privacy and space than what a hotel room can offer, be sure to check out the aparthotels in Miami Beach.Mitch Glazer’s series, Magic City, highlights a part of Miami’s history that many consider the city’s most glamorous era. Lastly, aparthotels are often more affordable than traditional hotels, making them a great option for those on a budget. Many properties have pools, gyms, and restaurants on site, making it easy to enjoy all that Miami Beach has to offer without having to leave the property. This gives guests the option to cook some of their own meals, saving money on dining out, and also the ability to spread out and relax in their own space.Īnother great perk of staying in an aparthotel while in Miami Beach is the on-site amenities. Aparthotels are a great option for those looking for a little more privacy and space than what a hotel room can offer.Īparthotels offer spacious studios and one-bedroom apartments, many of which come with fully equipped kitchens and multiple bathrooms. When travelling to Miami Beach, there are many different types of accommodations to choose from.