Gulf Stream Hotel Lake Worth Herald/Coastal Observer Installment 3 - Review and Explanation of Series

This is the third installment in a series on the history of Lake Worth’s Gulf Stream Hotel. It is an article that appeared in The Lake Worth Herald twenty-five years ago. New and recent residents of the city will find this perspective revealing, and perhaps a little surprising. Many of the city’s old-timers will recognize the characters and places, either fondly or not so fondly: “Gorgeous George”, former-Mayor Ron Exline, “Africa U.S.A.”, the Finnish investors, the “handshake” deal, and much more. It was written towards the end of a three year period when the hotel was closed, which has happened more than once during its 90 year history

These articles is as it appeared twenty-five years ago. It provides an important insight into the problems that are inherent to the hotel: the hotel was constructed to serve seasonal, long-term guests most of whom arrived by train. The rooms are small and nowhere near the size preferred by today’s hotel, resort customer, and business traveler. Further research indicates that these characteristics were holding the Gulf Stream back from success years before these articles were written.

Other recent developments in the travel industry create a contrast between the environment during the Gulf Stream’s successful period and the one it operated in later in the century. ‘Seasonal’ Florida, which is mentioned in the article, is becoming a thing of the past. Palm Beach County is fast becoming a year-round destination for both tourists and the business traveler. What was once a drawback to the Gulf Stream hotel is no longer the case. South Florida isn’t just for the seasonal guests seeking relief from the cold Winters in the northern climates. This bodes well for the hotel’s future, but only if it adapts to these changed social and economic circumstances.

Enjoy this latest in the history of our iconic Gulf Stream hotel and hope you’re enjoying this special history series on the city’s most iconic structure on its waterfront, what was originally called the “El Nuevo”: