Days Inn Thunderbird Beach Resort

Back in the 1950s, Sunny Isles Beach was motel central, a theme park of cheesy fun in the sun. These days, a sea of condos has washed the motels away, but two glorious gems remain—and you should get there before the wrecking ball does. Designed by Norman Giller, the Days Inn Thunderbird Beach Resort is perhaps the better of the two; it is spectacularly tacky, complete with vintage T-bird car, a statue of Marilyn Monroe, stained-glass windows and a giant aquarium. There’s a diner, tiki bar and huts, and a courtyard swimming pool. Clean, generic bedrooms complete the picture.