In the 1950's, and 60's a key feature of Sunny Isles was ‘Motel Row', a stretch of north Collins Avenue that was home to some 50 motels with exotic names like the Sahara, Mandalay and the Thunderbird. The motels were very popular in the post-war boom years when more and more people could afford cars and could travel to fun destinations like Miami. The area was also very attractive to foreign visitors who loved the sea, surf and sand and great Florida ambiance.
In 1994 the Miami Beach resort hotel was sold to Crescent Heights Aventura Beach Club and after a $7 million renovation, was converted into a condominium-hotel.
Radisson Corporation approved the hotel in June 1995 and in November 1995 AventuraBeach Associates, whose president is Mr.Richard Schechter, purchased the hotel operation, restaurants, ballrooms, meeting spaces and two lounges.
In January 1999 the hotel became the Marco Polo Ramada Plaza Beach Hotel Resort.