Rememeber the Seagull Hotel Miami Beach?

[EZEtoGRU]

I lived in Miami from 1989-2002. In the first 5-7 years of being there, I would frequently go to the (then) gay beach at 21st and Collins (This was before the gay beach moved to 12th street). Whilst I never stayed there, the Seagull Hotel was right on the beach at this spot also. At the time, it was considered somewhat of a gay hotel. I understand there were Sunday pool parties overlooking the gay beach. Two Jewish gay guys from New York ran a snack bar trailer that was on the beach at 21st street. It was called the Sunshine Boys and they would fix up hamburgers and sandwiches to eat. It was a fun time in that area. Miami beach was just starting to get gentrified in the early 90's. The area still had kind of an oldies retirement mecca feel to it with lots of elderly people living in the older buildings. Anyone remember those days on Miami Beach?

 

Move forward to today. The Seagull Hotel is still here. It is flanked by the very upscale Setai Hotel to the South and the W Hotel to the North (which I'm currently staying in). How on earth has the Seagull survived till now? It was always pretty rundown. Seems to have gotten worse with the current TripAdvisor reviews being pretty bad. It has to be on a very valuable piece of property. I'm surprised no-one has scooped up the place to tear it down and build a high-rise property.

 

Anyway, just reminiscing about the good ol days.

 

Anyone else have memories of these places?

[+ melrosesouth]

Hi,

The Seagull was in play quite a while back....at first they insisted they would never sell. Then it was close to a deal with Setai and then the recession hit (Setai was foreclosed on by Lehman and then the Nakash(of Jordache Jeans fame) family bought it a couple years ago) So the Nakash family are bottom feeders and they will wait until they can scoop the seagall for nothing.

[+ bashful]

Interesting. Just a year ago (early Feb.) , I stayed at the Royal Palm (15th and Collins). Booked it on points, and only after, saw some Yelp reviews that weren't favorable. However, I found it to be very nice. Spent a lot of time at the bar by the pool. Almost went back just this last December, but had to cancel. Thinking of possibly going this or next month, but spring break travelers will no doubt jack up rates.

[Mocha]

Most all hotels in Miami/Miami beach are gonna have some yucky reviews unless they are really upscale like the Loews or the Royal Palm, Trump Beach resort up north etc.

 

I stayed at the Berkeley Shores hotel back in 2005 when I snuck down to visit my boyfriend who have moved there from Tampa. The place was NASTY. A hotel with a full size refrigerator but no other kitchen amenities. Holes in the window, roaches the size of lubber grasshoppers.

 

I walked past it in 2011 and it was newly faux Art Decoed and much nicer with a higher price tag. I usually stayed at places along Collins and Washington...the Ocean Drive hotels tended to be a bit crowded.

 

Sorry Palm Springs....but ain't got nothing on my city: just wish it wasn't so much bullshit down there I'd move back.

http://palacesouthbeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/504164_y60n7V76uyyInd-AiBC2IyPQ3iiMVyZ8LwLfjugapxM.jpg

http://worldvaporexpo.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/miamibeachbanner.jpg

[BaronArtz]

First trip to South Beach in 1989. With my boyfriend, a Puertorican ex stripper at Show Palace in NY. Stayed at the 'Waterside' motel. 'Warsaw' was the gay club back then, You could buy small buildings on Colins for 200 - 300K back then. The Delano and adjoining hotels were empty wrecks. Should have bought real estate back then!

[+ bashful]

Should have bought real estate back then

 

I cannot count the real estate I should have bought years ago. But, there will always be opportunities going forward.

[Bearofdistinction]

I lived in Miami from 1989-2002. In the first 5-7 years of being there, I would frequently go to the (then) gay beach at 21st and Collins (This was before the gay beach moved to 12th street). Whilst I never stayed there, the Seagull Hotel was right on the beach at this spot also. At the time, it was considered somewhat of a gay hotel. I understand there were Sunday pool parties overlooking the gay beach. Two Jewish gay guys from New York ran a snack bar trailer that was on the beach at 21st street. It was called the Sunshine Boys and they would fix up hamburgers and sandwiches to eat. It was a fun time in that area. Miami beach was just starting to get gentrified in the early 90's. The area still had kind of an oldies retirement mecca feel to it with lots of elderly people living in the older buildings. Anyone remember those days on Miami Beach?

 

Move forward to today. The Seagull Hotel is still here. It is flanked by the very upscale Setai Hotel to the South and the W Hotel to the North (which I'm currently staying in). How on earth has the Seagull survived till now? It was always pretty rundown. Seems to have gotten worse with the current TripAdvisor reviews being pretty bad. It has to be on a very valuable piece of property. I'm surprised no-one has scooped up the place to tear it down and build a high-rise property.

 

Anyway, just reminiscing about the good ol days.

 

Anyone else have memories of these places?

 

OH YES! I remember it well!

 

I spent many a day and night with hot Hispanic beach boys in my bed at the Seagull -- I remember having to go to the front desk to get a roll of Toilet Paper - because they had no housekeeping staff on duty.

 

My favorite time was when the Ms Florida Paegant was held there in the ballroom. The place was packed with drags/dancers/clubowners/the A Gays/etc!

 

Oh what fun!

 

Oh and WOLFIE's used to deliver to the Hotel until 2 in the morning! Corned Beef on Rye - with Cum on my thy!