After visiting the new Hooters Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, I'm firmly in the middle.

For those of you living in a cave or, perhaps somewhere with a slightly less tolerant attitude toward the "sex sells" mantra, Hooters is a chain of restaurants around the country that is mostly famous for its Hooters Girls - a bevy of buxom lasses that serve the food wearing very short shorts and very tight baby-doll t-shirts. You can say that it's more about the "we're in on the joke" humor, casual atmosphere, and generously portioned servings of hearty American food, but really let's all just accept the fact that it's about the women and move on with our lives, shall we?

The company purchased the dingy San Remo Hotel, located just behind the Tropicana Hotel and Casino on Tropicana Boulevard, and threw their corporate branding at it in a big way, from the "Florida casual" theme (think lots of orange, bleached wood, and beach décor) to the aforementioned girls. It's miles, leagues, and light-years ahead of what the hotel used to be (a dump) but I have to say there is a certain amount of "painting the pig" going on. You can still see the remnants of the old hotel lurking here and there, like in the elevators which have gotten a nice interior makeover but they left the scarred and pitted doors and control panel.

This is all minor stuff and will most likely be addressed as they move forward, but if you've gotten used to the gleaming, sparkly everything at some of the major Strip hotels, this will come as a bit of a let down.

The main floor has gotten the most dramatic part of the makeover, turning the casino space into a lively, energetic, and very, very crowded party spot. There are several restaurants around the perimeter plus bars, lounges, a gift shop, a small video arcade, and more. They have packed a lot into a very small area so personal space is at a minimum.

The rooms are not only a marked improvement over the old hotel's offerings, but they are nice even without the qualification. There's more of the beach theme, with plank wood headboards, armoire, desk, and vanities plus plenty of orange to go around. The beds are super-comfy and there's just about everything you need elsewhere including a nice, big TV with in-room movies, a dressing table, several mirrors, iron and board, coffee maker, safe, hair dryers, and high-speed Internet. While they aren't as big or luxuriously appointed as some Vegas rooms, they are just fine and more than the Average Joe will ever want or need.

By the way, rooms in the Bay View tower have balconies - a rarity in Las Vegas

And yes, there are Hooters Girls all over the place, from waitresses to blackjack dealers and everything in between, but keep in mind that there are other employees as well. Don't expect to have your room service delivered by a hot chick in tight shorts.

The staff was unfailingly polite and efficient with a real "down home" atmosphere -- employees calling you "sweetheart" and "darling." Whether you prefer that over being called "sir" or "ma'am" by one of those drones in a way-too-expensive suit is totally your call.

When they first opened they were charging some fairly ridiculous rates but that has calmed down a lot, with tower rooms going for as low as $59 a night during the week and $119 on the weekends. That's a pretty good deal for a hotel this well located.

It's worth noting that the Hooters Hotel has been going through some financial difficulties in 2007 and 2008. At one point everyone involved said the hotel was sold and would be closing to be remodeled and rebranded yet again, but that deal seems to have fallen through. What this means to you is probably very little, although it could mean that the current owners aren't going to be throwing a lot of dough at keeping the hotel sparkly and new - in other words expect some wear and tear. But what do you want for $59?

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