The Flamingo Hilton Hotel is one of the oldest hotel/casino resorts in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas has a history of not having a history - new casinos and hotels pop up every few years even as classic old resorts are dynamited and demolished to make way for these new supervacation resorts. But one old lady has ducked and dodged these real estate bullets. The Flamingo Hotel is the best known and the most famous hotel in Las Vegas, possibly in the world!
The original Flamingo opened on New Year's Eve in 1946, build by Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. But the reported mobster didn't have much time to enjoy his stay - six months later Bugsy was murdered in California. The hotel and casino remained in business, however, and enjoys the notoriety of its mobster father up to the present day. Now owned by the Hilton Hotel Group, the Flamingo Hilton has both new and old attractions for Las Vegas visitors.
First, you can't miss the eye-catching pink paint and neon signs that welcome you to the hotel. Held over for generations, the dulcet tones enhance the feeling of age and seniority that this hotel lords over the new kids on the block. With over 3,500 suites and rooms, you can be assured of a relaxing and entertaining time. Many conventions choose the Flamingo for their venues and you can be assured that their choices are sound ones. But let's look around outside the rooms and see what this famous lady has to offer!
Want to immortalize your visit? Why not consider purchasing a commemorative brick? That's right, for one hundred and fifty dollars you can place an engraved brick in the Flamingo Gardens, a beautiful oasis in the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. With three lines available to you, this is a perfect chance to create your own family history!
And of course you'll have to go shopping! A plethora of stores awaits your business as you avoid going outside into the stifling heat, enjoying your shopping in air-conditioned luxury. But if you must go outside, there are four pools and the option to rent pool cabanas for an even more luxurious visit. And when you dry off, why not visit the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat and see the famous birds in person? This magnificent area is a must for the kids and you can relax in the natural environments created to maintain over 300 birds, from ducks to African penguins.
Now that you've worked up an appetite, let's look at your choices for dining. Depending on your tastes, you can go as formal as you want or just nibble at the bar while enjoying the sights and sounds of Las Vegas.
Hamada of Japan has been at the Flamingo for over a decade, with glowing reviews that have placed it in the "Best Japanese" category of the Zagat's Restaurant Guide. Fresh sushi and an authentic atmosphere guarantee you a unique experience.
If you want something a bit more America, Ventuno is an Italian restaurant ready to fill those pasta urges, while Pink Ginger caters to the Pan-American diner. And, of course, Conrad's Steakhouse will deliver a steak worthy of the Las Vegas name!
There are other casual dining choices at the Flamingo, but the most famous has got to be Margaritaville! This Caribbean-themed restaurant offers entertainment, a beautiful view of the Las Vegas Strip and a good meal to boot!
If you're worried about working off those pounds gained at the buffet or any of the fine restaurants, take a visit to the fine spa and fitness center and enjoy a workout like no other. For the ladies, the Alexandra Salon is ready and willing to pamper you and deliver you back with a new vigor for those gambling tables!
And, of course - what's a visit at the Flamingo Hotel without taking in some of the shows? Famous entertainers such as Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and the infamous "Rat Pack" have played at the Flamingo over the years, but today's lineups are nothing less than spectacular. Gladys Knight, the famous soul singer, is a regular performer along with the comedic exploits of The Second City, one of the most famous comedy groups of all time. If your tastes run to a different time, why not take in a show with Franki Valli and the Four Seasons? Slip on back in time with these beloved favorites and thrill to your old favorites being performed live on stage!
From its humble beginnings as one of the first casinos in a small desert town the Flamingo Hilton Hotel has grown and kept pace with the newer hotels and resorts cropping up all over Las Vegas. Why not visit this grand old lady of the Strip next time you're in town and experience a little Las Vegas history?
