Even at age 80, one of Las Vegas’ most storied hotel resorts still has secrets to reveal.

The Flamingo, founded by notorious gangster Bugsy Seigel, is considered the first modern hotel resort in Las Vegas. Seigel had a penthouse suite at his hotel and for years, Las Vegas lore was that he had a trap door in the suite that led to a tunnel in a garage where he could escape when foes got too close.

The getaway garage was the stuff of myths until just a couple of weeks ago, when Casino.org published photos of the secret tunnel.

Myths or not, few resorts on the Las Vegas Strip can claim a continuous presence stretching back nearly eight decades.

Even fewer are positioned at the very heart of the Strip, where millions of visitors pass by each year and foot traffic alone can define a property’s fortunes.

Now, as it approaches a milestone birthday in 2026, the center-Strip resort is preparing a wave of upgrades designed to elevate the guest experience while staying true to the legacy that made it a landmark.

The resort announced on Nov. 24, 2025, that its arrival and casino spaces will undergo a massive redesign, including a rebuilt lobby, a new lobby bar, an upgraded VIP check-in area, refreshed public spaces, and a full overhaul of the casino-level Bugsy’s Bar.

The property updates come at a time when Strip properties are increasingly focused on how their public areas set the tone for the entire stay, especially in high-traffic locations where first impressions carry outsized weight.

So like its neighbors — including Bellagio, Luxor, and The LINQ which have spent the last two years modernizing public areas to compete with newer arrivals — The Flamingo is undertaking a refresh during a period of major reinvestment across the Strip.

One of Las Vegas most historic resorts is getting a facelift.

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Flamingo getting a new lobby

The Flamingo’s new lobby will feature a pod-style front desk layout and modern finishes that incorporate fresh interpretations of the hotel’s namesake bird, according to a Caesars Entertainment news release.

Bronze flamingo statues, custom murals, and warm tropical accents tie the new look back to the resort’s origins while emphasizing convenience and flow.

Related: Las Vegas Strip resort casinos try to win back visitors

The new lobby bar, for example, is a 20-seat venue surrounded by televisions and equipped for both tabletop gaming and casual lounging. It will be one of the first things guests see when they arrive.

Its placement within the redesigned lobby reflects a broader hospitality trend: front-of-house spaces are no longer just for check-in but serve as social hubs and transitional areas for guests making their way to the casino, pool, or restaurants.

A look back at the Flamingo’s 8 decades on the Strip

  • December 26, 1946 – Flamingo Las Vegas opens, becoming one of the first luxury resorts on the future Strip.
    Source: Las Vegas Weekly
  • 1947 – After early financial difficulties, the property reopens and begins drawing steady crowds.
    Source: Las Vegas Weekly
  • 1950s–1970s – The resort expands multiple times, adding towers, gardens, and lounges that define mid-century Las Vegas.
    Source: Las Vegas Weekly
  • 2005 – The Flamingo becomes part of Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment) through corporate acquisition.
    Source: SEC
  • 2024–2025 – The property debuts Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay Burger, Havana 1957, and the redesigned Go Pool.
    Source: SCCG Management
  • November 24, 2025 – Caesars announces the latest renovation plans, including the new lobby, lobby bar, VIP check-in, updated public spaces, and a revival of Bugsy’s Bar.
    Source: Caesars

“We’re introducing fresh designs that complement the recent additions to the property, creating spaces that feel modern yet unmistakably Flamingo,” Senior Vice President and General Manager Dan Walsh said in the announcement. “The resort has always been an icon on The Strip, and these renovations ensure it remains a vibrant, must-visit destination for years to come.”

Bugsy’s Bar gets a substantial update

At the center of the casino floor, Bugsy’s Bar will receive the most major update its had in years. The redesign will introduce a bolder visual identity and a newly expanded cocktail menu served around the clock.

As one of the most visible touchpoints on the gaming floor, its transformation is intended to enhance the property’s overall atmosphere while giving guests another social anchor within the casino. (As far as we know, there are no plans for a secret entrance or exit of any type.)

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These updates build on the resort’s recent wave of additions, which include Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay Burger, Havana 1957, and the redesigned Go Pool. In 2026, the Flamingo will also welcome Salt & Straw, the nationally known artisanal ice-cream brand, along with Category 10, a Luke Combs-inspired entertainment experience developed by Opry Entertainment Group.

Why the Flamingo anniversary Matters

The Flamingo’s 80th year gives Caesars Entertainment a natural moment to showcase the hotel’s history while modernizing key guest-facing areas. And its location — at the mid-point between Caesars Palace, Bally’s/Horseshoe, Paris, and The LINQ Promenade — means the improvements will be felt immediately by visitors navigating the busiest section of the Strip.

Construction on the new lobby, lobby bar, and Bugsy’s Bar will continue into 2026, aligning with the resort’s anniversary year. For a property that helped define the early Strip, the upgrades signal an effort to strengthen both its legacy and its competitive position at one of the busiest intersections in Las Vegas.

Flamingo is the only pre-1950 Strip resort still operating on its original footprint, making it a historically significant property. The still-operating casinos that are older, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Binion’s are downtown, not on The Strip.

Caesars tried to sell Flamingo

Back in 2022, Caesars was looking to divest itself of Flamingo, partially due to the cost of renovating the property. CEO Tom Reeg commented on it during his company’s second-quarter 2022 earnings call.

“It’s very clear the timeline that is laid out in the VICI documents that govern this. So we launched early this year, the deadline is by the end of the summer. And every deadline I’ve ever seen in deal land, the work goes into that deadline,” he said.

The sale was not made that summer, and Reeg was clear that Caesars did not need to sell the property.

“For us — and there’s — there are plenty of interested parties. Obviously, the financing environment is what it is. And if that’s going to impact what someone will pay, there is a level where we’re not going to chase it. I’m very happy to just clip the free cash flow and come back later,” he said.

Caesars Entertainment’s recent financials:

  • 2023 full-year net revenues: $11.5 billion
    Source: Caesars Investor Relations
  • 2024 full-year net revenues: $11.25 billion — a slight decline versus 2023.
    Source: Caesars Investor Relations
  • 2024 GAAP net loss: $278 million, compared with a net income of $786 million in 2023. The swing was largely due to a tax-asset valuation adjustment tied to REIT leases.
    Source: Caesars Investor Relations
  • Q4 2024 net revenues: $2.80 billion, compared with $2.83 billion in Q4 2023.
    Source: Caesars Investor Relations

Las Vegas welcomed more than 41.7 million visitors in 2024, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and while numbers are down in 2025, Sin City will still see around 40 million by year’s end, based on LVCVA year-to-date travel numbers.

Related: Legendary off-the-Las Vegas Strip casino makes surprise comeback

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