The Beachcomber Resort Motel

The Beachcomber Resort Motel, located at 18925 Collins Avenue, was built in 1957. Like several other motels of that era it was designed in the MIMO (Miami Modern) style of architecture. According to brochures the Beachcomber offered state-of-the-art amenities including: spacious closets, sound-proofed rooms, elevator service, telephones, diaper service, 100% air-conditioned and heated rooms, studio rooms with completely equipped kitchens, free ice made by an automatic ice cube machine, and a 21" TV in each room. Two swimming pools provided ample space for exercising and relaxing.

The Bikini Lounge Night Club - no cover charge, no minimum age - provided a variety of nighttime entertainment, and guests could dance until dawn! Special vacation plans included Breakfast and a deluxe 7-course dinner for $3.50 daily for adults, and $2.00 for children under 12.

In the 1970's guests were invited to enjoy the Star-Flite Lounge and the Le Cabaret Disco at the end of a relaxing day at the pool. The Beachcomber Resort Motel closed its doors in 1978 after operating for twenty-one years, and the property was put on the market for sale.


Tourists enjoying the Bikini Lounge Night Club

Around the USA in 1957...

	There are 47,200,000 TV sets in use in 39,500,000 homes.
	Greyhound inaugurates the "It's such a comfort to take the bus and leave the driving to us" ad campaign.
	One thousand computers are sold.
	Larry King began broadcasting.
	NYC ends trolley car service.

The Beachcharbour Hotel

In 1979 the Beacharbour Hotel made its debut on Motel Row at 18925 Collins Avenue. Under new ownership, the defunct Beachcomber Resort Motel, which closed in 1978, was extensively renovated. Operating under a new name - The Beacharbour Hotel - the new owner, Mr. Max Schaub, expanded the property by annexing an adjacent motel, The Whispering Palms, adding approximately 95 rooms.

According to Sunny Isles Beach resident Mrs. Carmine Mysonhimer, a manager at the Beacharbour for more than twenty years (1979-2001), to attract potential guests the hotel management staff participated in tourist shows around the United States and the world, including Latin America, London, and Budapest.

Mrs. Mysonhimer, second from the left, at a tourist show in California in 1980.

Mrs. Mysonhimer in Sunny Isles Beach in 2004

Management at the Beacharbour Hotel was especially interested in attracting Canadian tourists, and they developed a unique marketing campaign by "appearing" during the season on radio in Quebec. The announcer Mr. Vermett "live" from the Beacharbour Hotel, would entice listeners by describing the beautiful 300' white sandy beaches, the warm and sunny weather, the Horizon Oceanfront Restaurant, and the Contiki Pool Bar.

By telephone the announcer would reach radio stations in Quebec, and over a speaker appear "live" on air. On a weekly basis The Beacharbour Hotel catered to its audience in Quebec. During the Holidays the Beacharbour catered to its Canadian guests in Sunny Isles by offering a Christmas Mass said by a Canadian priest.

The Beacharbour offered a variety of musical and comedic entertainment. A local musician, Steve Allison, remembers auditioning for the Beacharbour in 1984 - he got that gig and many others in the area. Mr. Allison has become one of the local legends from "Motel Row," and still plays guitar and sings performing easy listening, disco, and ballads at the Thunderbird Resort.

The Beacharbour Hotel was demolished in December 2001. Ocean III Condominium is now located at the former site of The Beachcomber Motel and the Beacharbour Hotel - 18925 Collins Avenue.

Steve Allison, a local musician, performed at the Beacharbour Hotel.

Compiled by Marlene Calero and David Udoff

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