Post #233779 by donhonyc on Wed, May 24, 2006 2:22 PM

And also in Fort Lauderdale. At the last Hukilau I noticed way fewer mom and pop motels near the beach than the last time I was there 3 or so years before, and lots of high rises going up (even a Trump luxury apartment building was planned).

I noticed a little of that too on El Mar Drive. About a block south there was a hotel that was frequented alot by the Canadian snow-birds down for the winter. Not the most remarkable looking place, but nonetheless, nice and sort of a staple on that block for years. When I was down in December, the place was completely bulldozed for redevelopment.

On the flip-side about a block north on El Mar is a really great place called the High Noon. It's been family owned and operated since the early 60s. I've stayed there a few times, and let me tell ya....it's pretty frickin' nice. Right on the beach, with a pool, nice patio..the whole deal AND a few Tikis and small thatched huts in the yard as well. Melllloww. I get relaxed just thinking of the place. Doesn't look like it's going anywhere soon, but you never know.

Across the board here in New York and from what I have been hearing in Miami as well, alot of the classic hotels are being shut down and turned into condos. The Plaza here, and the Fountainbleau in Miami. First...who the hell has the money for this property, and second why these hotels? I mean where do the tourists go? I'm sure someone here with some education in economics has an answer, but...I don't get it.

[ Edited by: donhonyc 2006-05-24 14:24 ]