The Monaco Motel has been part of Sunny Isles Beach since it was built in 1952. This unique motel is still in business at 17501 Collins Avenue.


The Monaco Motel pool area in 1970's


The Monaco Motel pool area in 2004

The pool area and tropical courtyard adds to the atmosphere. On the lawn there is a shuffle board area and cement mosaic patio where people can picnic. From the second story, inside the courtyard, there is a balustrade and catwalk that wraps around the building. From here each guest has a pleasant view of the pool area from here.



The design of this motel is unique and the architecture parlante (French, literally "speaking architecture") has amazing charm. The turquoise and white painted buildings and tropical foliage blend into the natural coastal environment.


The distinctive exterior architectural shapes include: the semblance cake shape in the coffee shop and lounge with the vertical wood siding, the swooping roof of oriental design, which serves as a drive-thru carport, and the Monaco neon sign, which stands on an inverted trapezoid.





The inviting pool and deck are in the center of a lush verdant court.


It appears that this architect combined all these ingredients and created a building that is very different.



Harold and Bob Gruder, father and son, owned the Monaco Motel from 1963-1991. The Gruder's were also the owners of the Mercury Motel and the Heathwood Motel. Bob says, "It was an amazing place, Sunny Isles Beach. It was laid back and very casual." Mr. Gruder remembers the Sunny Isles Beach motel era as very informal; people would drive their automobiles right up to their individual rooms and they didn't have to pay for parking. He also says, "There use to be a dine-around, whereby four or five of the motels on "Motel Row" got together, you would have dinner at one place one night and another place another night."

Here a family is having a good time in 1968 at the Monaco's Pool.
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Gruder)

 

According to Mr. Bob Gruder, during the 1950's and 1960's he attracted clientele using road flyers. During the high season (Oct.-Apr.) the rooms were $7.00 and in low season (May - Sept.) $6.00. In the 1970's, when tourists from different parts of the world started coming to Sunny Isles Beach, Mr. Gruder created tourist packages and advertised in Canada and Europe.



Snuffy Miller has been part of the Monaco Motel since 1986, and according to him there was an attitude of "Sun and Fun" with enthralling activities, such as: kids arcade games, swimming races, boating and fishing trips, and surf riding in the ocean. For the adults there were elegant fashion shows around the pool. Mr. Miller, an entertainer and drummer, who got his break in show business working the hotel district on Miami Beach, currently runs Petit Snuffy's Oceanfront lounge at the Monaco Motel. Mr. Miller reminisces about entertainers who played in Sunny Isles Beach area including: Tina Turner, Charlie Callas, Jackie Mason, Don Sebastian, Tubby Boots, March and Adams, and the Richie Brothers. These entertainers were on the Borscht Belt and Vegas show biz circuit. Sunny Isles Beach was also one happening destination for this tropical paradise nightlife.


The Monaco's oceanfront lounge in the 1980's

A combination of a relaxed atmosphere and informal tropical surroundings attracts tourists and keeps them coming back to this unique motel.


A combination of a relaxed atmosphere and informal tropical surrounding attracts tourist and keeps them coming back to this unique motel.


Caricature of Snuff entertainer and drummer.

Compiled by Marlene Calero and David Udoff

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