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Amid the ever-changing 21^st Century Las Vegas landscape, the Flamingo hotel continues to hold its own as one of the few remaining flagship properties present at the start of Sin City. The Flamingo Las Vegas is perched, in all of its pink glistening glory, center stage on the storied Vegas Strip, within four miles of McCarran International Airport and five miles of historic downtown.

The venerable hotel features 3,545 guest rooms and suites, including its newly renovated, award-winning GO Rooms (a derivative of FlaminGO) for which the Flamingo received the Hospitality Design Awards for Creative Achievement above and beyond 291 other entries.  And with good reason.

Designed collaboratively with Vegas-based interior design firm Cagley & Tanner, the Flamingo’s flashy GO Room designs pay tribute to the 1940s when the hotel was built while also incorporating contemporary décor and modern tech-driven amenities. The GO Rooms are decidedly groovy and sleek, showcasing commanding white patent leather tufted headboards, bold graphic wallpaper, plush carpeting, pillow-top mattresses with plush linens, and sleek furniture with signature Flamingo pink accents throughout. Bathrooms have frosted glass doors and jetted showers among other luxury features. The GO Rooms all boast a state-of-the-art Denon sound system, CD/DVD/iPod compatible player, electronic window treatments that glide open and closed with the touch of a button, LED reading lights, wireless Internet, and a 42-inch plasma television.

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I recently stayed in the Flamingo’s GO Neopolitan Suite. This spacious King suite spans 650-square feet and offers one-master bedroom, a living room with pull out sofa, a powder bath, and an immense full bathroom with double sinks and television screen built into the mirror.  There are 3 televisions in the suite in all.  Add to this floor to ceiling, wall-to-wall picture windows in both the living and bedroom areas that provide ample sunlight to brighten the space. Also available are the retro GO Cosmopolitan 800 square-foot one-bedroom suites with living room and bar, and the GO Metropolitan Suites – fully 1,500 square feet and comprised of two bedrooms, hardwood floors, two marble bathrooms, three entertainment systems, and four 42-inch plasma televisions. These stylish suites are as GO as it gets at the Flamingo!

Of course, the Flamingo also offers a wide range of amenities that include free covered parking, valet parking service, bell staff, laundry and dry cleaning service, 24-hour room service, high speed Internet, in-room safes, business services, and a knowledgeable concierge. Tours, car rental, and monorail service are also highlights of the exceptional services available at the Flamingo.

The Spa at the Flamingo offers a co-ed fitness center with ample free weights, nautilus and cardio equipment as well as other spa services, such as massage, sauna, weight equipment, and exercise classes. There is also an on-site beauty salon and barber shop with professional stylists poised and ready to primp and pamper before you venture out on the town.

Before heading out, however, be sure to stroll around the Flamingo’s grounds, which are quite lovely. The wildlife habitat features 15 acres of swans, quail, macaws, cockatoos, koi fish, ducks and, of course, flamingoes. There is a Caribbean-style water playground set amongst lush tropical landscaping and cascading waterfalls. The water area includes a family Beach Club pool as well as a GO Pool with a waterfall and lagoons for those 18 years and older. Private cabanas offer bottle service, lounge chairs, plasma television, and a mini refrigerator.

The beautiful landscaping makes the Flamingo an ideal spot for a Las Vegas wedding, and there were many underway during my stay. The Flamingo has six wedding chapels and gardens that seat up to 70 people, including the Garden Chapel, the Gazebo Chapel, the West Lawn, Paradise Falls, and the Crescendo Pool. On-site wedding planners, caterers, and event staff make it easy and enjoyable to have a wedding at this hotel, which has more than 75,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space for all types of conference and events.

For those like me who indelibly like to eat, the Flamingo Las Vegas has numerous restaurants to suit an array of tastes. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is a kinetic multilevel party zone with two outdoor patios that overlook the Strip – perfect for people watching. I can personally vouch for their Cadillac Margarita, which will not disappoint.  There is also a nautical-themed restaurant, live entertainment, and five bars. Hamada of Japan is a teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurant offering entertaining tableside cooking as well as fresh sushi. The Paradise Garden buffet is the consummate Vegas buffet with an extensive offering of entrees, side dishes, and tempting desserts. The Tropical Breeze Café is a casual dining area for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Burger Joint serves up beef, turkey, and salmon burgers with an endless array of toppings to create the penultimate burger. Other great bites and drinks can be found at Sin City Brewing Company, Pink Bean, Beach Club and the Flamingo Food Court.

Evening entertainment currently offered at the Flamingo includes Donny & Marie Osmond, comedian George Wallace, and Nathan Burton Comedy Magic. There are also late night shows for adults like comedian Vinnie Favorito and X Burlesque.

Whether night or day, Las Vegas is, of course, all about the casino experience and the Flamingo duly delivers. The refurbished casino spans 93,000 square feet with the newest slot machines, live poker, craps, Caribbean stud poker, million-dollar Keno and a Mini Pai Gow Poker table, the first in Las Vegas. Signing up for the Total Rewards program provides access to comps and special pricing for return trips to Las Vegas.

In all, the Flamingo gave me the quintessential Vegas experience I was hoping for – fantastic accommodations, impressive amenities, and copious dining, gaming and nightlife options that kept me spectacularly satiated and duly entertained. Next time Sin City is in your sights, GO Flamingo for a good time! This self-contained casino and resort offers everything an adventurous Vegas vacationer could want, and more.

The Flamingo Las Vegas is located at 3555 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.  Visit www.FlamingoLasVegas.com to book your reservation or for more information.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***