The lobby feels very much like an airport departures hall, with gleaming off-white floors, bright lights, retractable belt barriers, self-check-in machines, hundreds of travelers with suitcases, and several sets of escalators. Several rounds of renovations in rooms and common spaces have given new life to the hotel, yet its gargantuan size means the vibe is impersonal. Fluorescent pink abounds, and massive light displays illuminate up the night, creating the impression that the hotel wishes the '70s never ended. The hotel's exteriors feverishly recall Las Vegas' 1970s heyday. Once the champion of the Strip, the fluorescent-pink Flamingo is no longer the standard-bearer for over-the-top Las Vegas largesse, but still draws hordes of young partiers and couples. Thompson's city-defining gonzo opus 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' and both the 1960 and the 2001 versions of 'Ocean's Eleven' were filmed on-site.
Opened in 1946 by mobbed-up bootlegger and Genovese crime family associate Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, the Flamingo Las Vegas is one of the oldest resorts on the Strip and, as such, boasts a rich history.
