The Desert Inn

The Desert Inn, built in 1954, is another unique motel that once existed in Sunny Isles Beach. This popular motel was located at 17201 Collins Avenue.

Mr. Leonardo Lieb and his father, who owned and operated the motel from 1977 until 1983, had a very positive experience working at the Desert Inn. In a September 2004 interview, Mr. Lieb stated that “It was nice to meet people from all over the world, and deal with people from different cultures.”

In 1977 the Lieb’s also purchased the property next door – the Gould Motel – thus expanding the Desert Inn.

Mr. Lieb recalls that breakfast and lunch were available at the motel, and entertainment was provided in the lounge.

Demolished in September 2004, the Desert Inn has been replaced by luxury condominium Ocean 4.

COMPILED BY DAVID UDOFF AND MARLENE CALERO
Photos courtesy of Mr. Tom and Lori Miller




The Desert Inn had a very distinctive look with an elongated horizontal main building architecturally resembling a boldly emphasized two-story home. The kitsch sculpture – horses pulling a classic Conestoga wagon sitting on a desert rock garden – added character to the front of the building. The interior of the original lobby continued the western motif, accompanied by a hand painted floral monochromatic green trompe L’oel mural.

Lori’s mother Mrs. Emily Korb posing in the Conestoga wagon 1963




Lori’s father Mr. Steve Korb sitting in the Desert Inn lobby in 1967, where the L’oel mural can be appreciated.

After vacationing in Sunny Isles Beach for many years as a child with her parents, Lori came back in 1965 for a very special occasion; her honeymoon. According to Tom and Lori, when they got married in 1965, the Sunny Isles Beach area was exciting and popular. They fondly remember the Desert Inn as the motel where they honeymooned and where, as Tom says, “We stayed … for three weeks until our wedding money ran out!”

Tom continues saying that “an efficiency room at the Desert Inn cost $9.00, and dining out for two was typically less then $10.00 at a family restaurant called Dagwood’s. An afternoon movie at the 170th Street Loews Cinema cost $1.50. In the same shopping center area there was a driving range where a bucket of balls cost $1.00.” Tom also recalls an amusement area off of Collins Avenue that included ground level trampolines and miniature golf that was popular with the kids.

Originally from Atlanta, Mr. and Mrs. Miller returned many times to vacation in Sunny Isles Beach. In July 2004 they returned to celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary. While excited about the redevelopment in the City, Tom and Lori want to see its history remembered and enthusiastically share their stories and their pictures.






Tom and Lori Miller during their honeymoon at the Desert Inn in 1965


 

The Miller’s re-visiting Sunny Isles Beach in 2004 on their 39th wedding anniversary




If you have stories and pictures to share about the history of the Sunny Isles Beach area, call City Hall at 305-947-0606.

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