![<em>Photography: Bennet collection [2003.10], Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.</em>](https://fortlauderdalemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/1119_Old_Lauderdale_1-80x54.jpg)
Whether in brochures, online searches or even the Broward tourism publications, it is easy to find listings for gay-friendly hotels.
But 50 years ago, there were none.
When the Marlin Beach Hotel opened its doors in 1972, it was the first. And the reaction wasn’t all that pretty.
According to Gay Weekly News contributor Fred Fejes, after a few years of operating under the radar, the Marlin incited the wrath of Mayor E. Clay Shaw, Jr.
“If a family from the Midwest comes to Fort Lauderdale and sees men making love on the beach, what will they think?” Shaw said. “They’ll never come back.”
According to the Fort Lauderdale News, the mayor’s goal was to eliminate every vestige of homosexual activity from the beach: “If he had his way, the Marlin Beach… will go straight.”
Fejes quotes the head of the city’s Hotel Resort and Hotel Association as chiming in, claiming that the presence of a gay hotel was “a social stigma and it will drive families away.”
But the Marlin survived.
According to Fejes, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale had previously tolerated the gay and lesbian community. There were gay-friendly neighborhoods in Riverside Park and Sailboat Bend. There was a gay community church, plus gay-owned bars and clubs.
But the Marlin Beach Hotel “was America’s first explicitly gay resort hotel.”
Built in 1954, the Marlin was among the first group of large beach hotels that grew the city’s tourist market, according to the Sun-Sentinel. But with the Marlin becoming a gay destination, it “quickly built a persona as party central, known for a rocking disco and weekend afternoon tea dances.”
A 1977 Washington Post travel story said this of the 88-room hotel: “Today, the Marlin Beach ranks as one of the most attractive hotels on the strip, and grosses over $2 million a year.
“The resort includes a heart-shaped pool with three outside bars, one of the better restaurants in the area, a hair salon, elegant disco and a boutique.” The hotel also had a large indoor aquarium (sans fish), where swimmers could be seen from a surrounding bar.
The writer noted that the staff was trained to inform those “who look out of place” that the Marlin Beach is a gay hotel. “Some stay anyway, and some decide to leave.”
![<em>Photography: Bennet collection [2003.10], Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.</em>](https://fortlauderdalemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/1119_Old_Lauderdale_2-80x194.jpg)
But at some point the Marlin lost its way. Ten years after its opening, there was more competition. In addition, a succession of new owners let the place deteriorate. In 1986, management sought to attract Spring Break college students, thereby losing the gay trade. The Marlin went bankrupt.
In 1992, it finally went under. “The gay community is losing absolutely a landmark,” said Penny Present when doors closed. President of Broward’s Gay Business Association, Present said, “If the gay community were a wheel, the Marlin would be the hub. The grand old lady, that’s what we called it.”
The hotel was torn down to make way for restaurants, bars and shops on the site that is now Beach Place. Yet, as many of our citizens know, the hotel is not forgotten.
In March of this year, near the Sanctuary Church, an event called Marlin Beach 2.0 celebrated the hotel’s famous Tea Dance parties, advertising a “full-on party with music, men, muscle and more.” In the outdoors along the banks of the Middle River, festival-goers danced to the music of the day and recalled once again the history of an iconic venue.
16 comments
Correction, the hotel was sold to developers after they could not find a investor to purchase The property and leave it as a hotel. I was a maintenance man there at the end, The hotel was making a small profit at the end but not enough to attract investors. So sad the gay community lost allot when “the grand old lady” closed her doors.
I’d heard that Lenny the bartender at Danny’s bar on Christopher Street in NYC, had left one night and headed south to open the Marlin Beach hotel. I went there years later but he wasn’t there. Still, had a nice stay there. My first gay resort.
My company in Tampa was the accounting firm for Bill Hovan who owned the
Marlin Beach Hotel in the late seventies and early eighties. When I was at the hotel, I was treated like a queen and protected and taken care of by all the staff. I remember the head housekeeper’s name was Mario. – he used to bring me fruit and vegetables
from his house.
Some good memories and sad to hear it was torn down…..
Barbara Santolla
I worked there for a few years in the early to late 70’s. What a wonderful experience.
I miss those days tremendously and the family I worked with.
We were just having fun and enjoyed each other as well as the thousands of visitors.
God bless you all for opening up to myself.
Hello Mr. Mackey,
I had a question about the hotel back in 1971. Were you working there at that time? Let me know when you get a chance. I’m headed there tomorrow.
Thanks
God bless you all and the best life has to offer.
I stayed there in 1976 from Kansas City I dont know how my partner and I found it without computers and all ( Maybe a blueboy magazine) lol but we had a wonderful time and I was amazed with the pool being glass where you could see guys swimming in the bar. I miss those days and wish they were still here the world isnt what it used to be and not like this wonderful experience!
Hi Richard I Remer those wonderful days..I was wondering what was the name of the side street the hotel was on..And on the left side of that side street was that the Surfside Motel
I think it was Cortez or Valencia
Worked there in late 70’s
Had a blast. Was one of the staff with my boyfriend who stayed over when Hurricane David hit
Partied all thru the hurricane with a small skeleton staff. Good time’s
Bob V
I wonder what happened to the Marlin Beach Hotel. I have never been there, but, this sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing this one.
I also worked there in the late 70s. It was a wonderful place to be then to Dan so we started with Connie Francis singing where the boys are. We had a nice restaurant it didn’t feel like working. It felt like we were a family and took care of the place like it was our own such wonderful memories
Remember Brian at the pool bar?? What a doll! 1984-86!!
I believe my cousin Jerry White had quite the crush on you Richard. We came down from Toronto, late 70s, early 80’s. I know the Ark Royal a British Naval ship was docked there at the time we were there.
All day at the beach and afternoon tea dance. 1976-79.. The Poopdeck was my favorite place to eat. The best of times.
Gary says: 19 March 2022 – “I was wondering what was the name of the side street the hotel was on. And on the left side of that side street, was that the Surfside Motel?”
Marlin faced AIA (Atlantic Blvd) at the intersection with Cortez Street to the south, and Seabreeze Blvd. to the west (running behind the hotel). Surf Side Hotel is a couple miles north and is still in operation today.