Travel - Flamingo Las Vegas: A Timeless Icon and Peaceful Haven on the Strip

By Mulder, Las Vegas, The Strip, Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, 29 march 2025

In the ever-flashing dazzle of the Las Vegas Strip, where themed hotels stretch like monuments to excess and fantasy, Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino stands out not just for its iconic pink plumage but for its unmatched blend of old-world glamour and vibrant modernity. There’s something deeply charming, almost cinematic, about arriving at the Flamingo. The sunlight catches on its vintage neon signs, and you can almost hear the echoes of the Rat Pack or picture Bugsy Siegel strolling through the corridors with a vision too bold for his time. While the rest of the Strip has often chased reinvention through spectacle, the Flamingo has mastered the delicate art of remaining both a throwback and a trendsetter.

Originally born from a dream—and more than a little mob money—the Flamingo's story is stitched into the mythic fabric of Las Vegas itself. Its beginnings trace back to Billy Wilkerson, founder of The Hollywood Reporter, whose ambition in 1945 was to bring Miami Beach glamor to the Nevada desert. However, his dream was hijacked by Benjamin Bugsy Siegel, who not only took over the project but inflated the budget from $1 million to a staggering $6 million. Siegel’s execution in 1947, just months after the Flamingo’s rocky opening, became part of its lore, but it was also a turning point that cemented the Flamingo’s notorious reputation. The resort, despite its violent beginnings, emerged as a phoenix, not unlike its flamboyant namesake, rising again and again through decades of renovations, ownership changes, and stylistic overhauls.

Today, the Flamingo offers more than just a window into Las Vegas’s past—it delivers a full sensory experience that seamlessly fuses the city’s historic appeal with contemporary comforts. Spread across 19 acres, this hotel-casino is home to over 3,400 rooms, many of which have been thoughtfully renovated to reflect a retro-chic design philosophy. Step inside and you’re greeted by rooms bathed in gold and pink tones—a playful nod to the Flamingo’s Art Deco roots—each equipped with a cozy seating area, entertainment system, and modern amenities. The hotel’s recent makeovers preserve the aesthetic of a golden era while ensuring guests never go without Wi-Fi or air conditioning, two things Bugsy likely never imagined.

Perhaps one of Flamingo’s most delightful surprises is its lush Wildlife Habitat, a tranquil oasis nestled within the Strip’s chaos. Spanning four acres, this tropical retreat is home to flamingos (of course), black-necked swans, koi fish, and turtles. It’s not uncommon to see couples wandering through the serene paths, sipping lattes from the on-site café, while children stare in awe at the animals. More than just a kitschy attraction, the habitat stands as a love letter to the original dream of a resort that brings nature into the glitz—proof that beneath all the neon and noise, the Flamingo still knows how to slow things down.

But don’t be fooled by the calm—this is still Las Vegas. Flamingo’s 72,000-square-foot casino pulses with energy. It’s a paradise for gamblers, offering everything from classic table games like blackjack and craps to over 1,600 slot machines, including Megabucks and video poker. The connected Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Casino once added a Caribbean flair to the gaming experience with themed decor and rum-fueled vibes. Though that particular casino has since closed, its spirit lingers in the main complex’s eclectic energy and the resort’s new wave of vibrant restaurants and bars.

Dining at the Flamingo has evolved as much as its architecture. Once known for basic buffets and classic steakhouses, the property now houses trendy hotspots like Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse, which pays ironic tribute to Siegel himself—complete with a hidden speakeasy bar. In 2024, the arrival of Pinky’s by Lisa Vanderpump added a whimsical garden-party vibe, while Gordon Ramsay expanded his Vegas empire with a new Burger concept. The Flamingo is clearly playing to a younger, social media-savvy crowd, yet without alienating long-time visitors who remember a time when a tuxedo was standard casino attire.

Entertainment has always been a cornerstone of the Flamingo’s identity. The showroom has hosted everyone from Wayne Newton to Toni Braxton, but perhaps none were as influential as Donny and Marie Osmond. Their residency, spanning over a decade, helped the Flamingo weather the economic storm of the 2008 financial crisis and remain relevant amidst an evolving Strip. Today, RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! commands the Flamingo Showroom stage with over 700 performances to date, proving that the resort continues to embrace the zeitgeist while preserving its legacy of theatrical flair.

Yet there’s something more subtle, more emotionally resonant, that makes the Flamingo feel different from the mega-resorts that surround it. It's the fact that every corner of this property is steeped in narrative—from the pink-hued tiles that whisper of Siegel’s legendary paranoia and secret tunnels, to the retro facade that once featured a champagne tower glowing with neon bubbles. Even its less glamorous moments, like the ill-fated Margaritaville closure in 2024 or the tragic accident involving footballer John McCarthy in 2012, are part of what makes the Flamingo’s story so authentically human. It’s not just a hotel—it’s a chronicle.

Flamingo Las Vegas isn’t the flashiest resort on the Strip anymore, nor is it the newest, the tallest, or the most expensive. But it is one of the most beloved. It embodies the city’s resilience, adaptability, and its uncanny ability to reinvent while remembering. Staying at the Flamingo isn’t just a convenient booking—it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who cherishes the romance of vintage Vegas. And whether you’re lounging at the GO Pool, rolling dice in the buzzing casino, or simply sipping a cocktail surrounded by tropical birds, you’re not just a guest—you’re part of an enduring legacy that helped shape the very idea of Las Vegas.

Flamingo Las Vegas hotel & Casino
Adress : 3555 Las Vegas Boulevard, Strip, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Rooms : Over 3,400 rooms and suites
Website: caesars.com/flamingo
Booking : https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/flamingo-casino.fr.html

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville