Demolished hotels that were hopping in Miami’s early days

Founded in 1896, the city of Miami sprang up overnight. With the growth came a need for hotels to attract and house visitors. Although some were hot spots in the early days, these three are no longer:

• The Royal Palm (1897-1930) – Known for 100 guest rooms with the luxury of private baths. It was also one of the only hotels to serve liquor.

• The Roney Plaza (1925-1968) – Miami’s first beach resort attracting celebrities, including the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor.

• The Nautilus (1926-1968) – Perfect for daytime parties, this hotel was later used as a military hospital during World War II.

– Rebecca Hastings, The 100 Companies