It seems only appropriate that the retro-cool wave that has been sweeping Las Vegas should finally sweep back around to this place, one of the most famous (and now oldest continually operating) hotels on the Las Vegas Strip: The Flamingo. By embracing its fun and funky past, the hotel is well on its way to reinventing itself for a new generation and, believe it or not, now has the coolest rooms in town.

When The Flamingo opened in 1946 it was not, as is often reported, the first hotel on the dusty piece of desert that would eventually become 'The Strip'. The first one was actually The El Rancho, which burned down in the 60's. But although it wasn't first, it certainly was the most heralded - a million-dollar oasis for the rich and powerful built by legendary (reputed) mobster Benjamin (Bugsy) Siegel.

Poor Bugsy wouldn't recognize the place now. The last little bit of the original remaining structure was torn down in 1993 to make way for new construction. These days, The Flamingo is a huge, upscale tropical themed palace - not a mobster or moll in sight. Oh well.

The glittering pink and orange neon façade is one of the most famous in Vegas and the casino area is a faux-tropical wonderland. The gaming area wanders and meanders throughout the property so there are lots of different sections in which to spend your money but the overall feeling is pretty good. This is also one of the few places where you can still find low limits on blackjack tables, although they are becoming more rare here as well. To be honest, this isn't a place that I spend a lot of time gambling in but not for any good reason other than there are places that I like better. They do have a full spectrum of gaming options including slots of all denominations, all the usual table games, a race and sports book, and a poker room.

But it is once you get upstairs that the real magic of The Flamingo begins, with their “GO” rooms. Done with a big nod to the Bugsy Siegel era, the rooms feature decidedly retro décor with big white padded vinyl headboards, white built in desks and chairs that look like they time traveled from the 1940s, and full walls of white drapes (electronic no less) offset by vibrant pinks and deep browns in the wallpaper, carpeting, and accents. Flat panel televisions, CD/DVD players, and high-speed Internet keep it modern so the overall effect is very hip. The bathrooms have also been completely redone with frosted glass walls, a television built into the mirror, and all new fixtures, lighting, and amenities. Staying in one of them will cost you extra (about $50 more per night if the website is any indication) but it’s totally worth it.

Eventually all of the rooms will be converted to this look and feel but that will be a slow process, meaning you have to specifically request one of these rooms if you want it. The older rooms are much more pedestrian although larger than average with comfy furniture and all the standard amenities.

Another truly remarkable part of the hotel is the pool that rivals The Mirage for the nicest in town. Dense tropical foliage frames the area and there are even live tropical animals including penguins and, you guessed it, flamingos. Get it?

There are several restaurants (including a branch of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville) plus a couple of shows and a health club. If you're really into committing to Vegas you can buy into a time-share.

Prices are reasonable for what you’re getting. Although the standard rooms start as low as $70 a night for summer, mid-week periods $100-150 is more common. Weekends hover around the $200 a night mark and as mentioned the “GO” rooms will cost more.

Although the overall package still places The Flamingo in the second tier of hotel choices for me, those new rooms make a huge difference and move it up several notches in esteem.

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