By Joe Marzo
During World War II, Florida's iconic luxury hotels were transformed from playgrounds of the wealthy into essential military hubs. Under the authority of the War Powers Act, the U.S. government requisitioned numerous hotels across the state, converting them into training centers, barracks, hospitals, and recovery centers for soldiers. These hotels, once celebrated for their opulence, became critical assets in the war effort, contributing significantly to military operations and the care of troops.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of several famous Florida hotels that were seized by the U.S. government during World War II and, the essential roles they played during that pivotal time.
The Need for Hotels: Why Florida’s Hospitality Industry Was Repurposed
Florida’s strategic location, favorable climate, and vast hotel infrastructure made it an ideal location for military training and recovery centers during the war. As the U.S. mobilized troops and expanded its military, it quickly became clear that there was a critical need for housing, training facilities, and medical centers. Florida’s hotels, particularly those near coastlines, provided perfect solutions to these needs.
Under the War Powers Act, the U.S. government had the authority to seize civilian properties, including hotels, for the duration of the war. Several of the state’s grandest hotels were quickly requisitioned, often being transformed overnight from luxury resorts into military installations.
The Belleview Biltmore Hotel (Belleair)
One of the most iconic hotels to be seized was the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, often called the "White Queen of the Gulf." This massive wooden structure in Belleair, near Clearwater, was built in 1897 by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant. For decades, it had served as a winter retreat for wealthy tourists, attracting presidents, European royalty, and captains of industry.
During World War II, the Belleview Biltmore was requisitioned by the Army Air Corps. The hotel was converted into a military barracks and training facility, housing soldiers and providing them with a base to train for air combat. The grand ballrooms and dining rooms were repurposed as drill spaces and classrooms, while the guest rooms housed servicemen. The hotel’s serene surroundings and extensive grounds made it an ideal place for recuperation as well as training.
After the war, the hotel was returned to its original owners and reopened as a luxury resort. However, it required significant repairs after years of military use. It continued to operate as a hotel until it closed in 2009, and most of the building was demolished in 2015, though parts of it were preserved.
The Breakers Hotel (Palm Beach)
Another notable hotel that played a key role in the war effort was The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. The Breakers, one of the most luxurious hotels in Florida, was transformed into an Army hospital. The grand seaside resort became a medical facility where wounded soldiers could receive care and rehabilitation. The hotel’s location and expansive facilities provided the perfect setting for treating injured servicemen returning from battle.
After the war, The Breakers returned to civilian use, undergoing extensive renovations to restore it to its former grandeur. Today, it remains one of the most famous luxury hotels in Florida, with a rich history that includes its critical role in World War II.
The Biltmore Hotel (Coral Gables)
The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, famous for its Mediterranean Revival architecture and extravagant interiors, was also requisitioned by the U.S. government. During World War II, the Biltmore was transformed into a military hospital. Its vast, elegant rooms were adapted to care for injured soldiers and provide a space for their rehabilitation.
After the war, the Biltmore continued to serve the military until 1968, when it was returned to the city of Coral Gables. The hotel reopened in 1987 as a luxury hotel, and today it still serves as a reminder of its wartime contributions.
Don CeSar Hotel (St. Pete Beach)
The Don CeSar Hotel, known as the "Pink Palace" for its distinctive color and beachfront location, was another grand hotel taken over by the U.S. military. During World War II, the Don CeSar was repurposed as a convalescent center for soldiers returning from combat. Its peaceful beachfront location provided the perfect setting for recovering soldiers to heal both physically and mentally.
After the war, the Don CeSar struggled to return to its former glory, but by the 1970s, it had been fully restored and reopened as a luxury hotel. Today, the hotel is a landmark of St. Pete Beach, known for both its architectural beauty and its service during World War II.
Flagler College (Ponce de León Hotel)
The Ponce de León Hotel, now home to Flagler College in St. Augustine, was another of Florida’s luxury hotels repurposed for the war effort. Built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, the hotel was known for its opulence and Gilded Age architecture. During World War II, the U.S. Coast Guard seized the building to use as a training facility for its recruits. The vast hotel grounds and large interior spaces made it ideal for housing and training servicemen.
After the war, the hotel was returned to civilian use, and in 1968 it became part of Flagler College, where it still stands today as a key part of the campus and a symbol of the hotel’s historic contributions.
Miami Beach Hotels
During the war, Miami Beach became a key training ground for the U.S. Army Air Corps, and dozens of its hotels were seized for military use. These luxury hotels, once buzzing with tourists, were converted into barracks and training centers. Soldiers marched on the beaches, and the wide-open spaces provided ideal conditions for physical training exercises.
Miami Beach effectively became a military town, with its hotels serving as temporary homes for thousands of soldiers. After the war, the hotels were returned to civilian use, but many bore the marks of their wartime transformations.
Hollywood Beach Hotel (Hollywood, Florida)
The Hollywood Beach Hotel was transformed into a Naval Training School for radar operators. Radar was a new technology critical to the war effort, and Florida’s location made it an ideal place to train operators who would go on to detect enemy aircraft and submarines. The hotel’s spacious layout was adapted to serve as both classrooms and housing for trainees learning to master this vital skill.
Post-War: Florida’s Hotels Return to Civilian Life
Once the war ended, these hotels were gradually returned to their original owners, but most required extensive repairs after years of military use. Florida’s tourism industry quickly bounced back after the war, buoyed in part by the G.I. Bill, which brought an influx of veterans to the state to take advantage of educational benefits. Many veterans returned to Florida after the war, helping to transform the state into one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
Conclusion: Florida’s Hotels in Wartime
The role Florida’s grand hotels played during World War II is an often-overlooked chapter in the state’s history. These luxurious spaces were more than vacation destinations—they became essential to the war effort, providing training, housing, and medical care for soldiers. Today, many of these historic hotels have returned to their roots as luxury resorts, but their contributions to the war effort remain an important part of their legacy.
Sources:
National Archives: U.S. Military History during World War II
Florida Memory: Florida During World War II
Belleview Biltmore Historical Archives
Flagler College Archives
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