The same two words — “Hotel Flamingo” — can point to a 4-star beach resort on the Costa Brava, a five-book children’s series from Alex Milway, or the historic Las Vegas casino that Bugsy Siegel opened in 1946. Each carries its own reputation and audience, and mistaking one for the other is easy. This article separates the three so you can confidently find the right one. We draw on verified ratings from neutral review platforms, publication records from retail book sellers, and documented histories from Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Last checked: 2026-09-14
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Gran Hotel Flamingo location: Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain · Gran Hotel Flamingo star rating: 4-star · Hotel Flamingo book series author: Alex Milway · Flamingo Las Vegas original owner: Billy Wilkerson and Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel
Hotel Flamingo Guide: Three Different Entities Explained
How we researched this
Last checked 2026-09-14.
Sources reviewed: official property website (Gran Hotel Flamingo), neutral review platforms, retail book sellers, tour operator sites, and published Las Vegas history sources.
We did not conduct an on-site visit to any property, perform staff interviews, or consult primary historical archives for the Bugsy Siegel facts. The article synthesizes current guest reviews and secondary historical reporting.
Hotel Flamingo at a glance
- 4 out of 5 bubbles (very good) based on recent reviews on TripAdvisor.
- 5 books published as of 2025 by author Alex Milway, published by Piccadilly Press (retail book listings).
- Casino opened December 26, 1946; hotel opened March 1, 1947 (History.com).
- 2-minute walk from Lloret de Mar beach (official property site).
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Gran Hotel Flamingo location | Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain |
| Gran Hotel Flamingo star rating | 4-star |
| Gran Hotel Flamingo distance to beach | 2-minute walk |
| Hotel Flamingo book series author | Alex Milway |
| Hotel Flamingo book series count | 5 books as of 2025 |
| Flamingo Las Vegas original owner | Billy Wilkerson and Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel |
| Flamingo Las Vegas casino opening | December 26, 1946 |
| Flamingo Las Vegas hotel reopening | March 1, 1947 |
| Entity | Best For | Location / Setting | Founded / Published | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Hotel Flamingo (Lloret de Mar) | Beach vacationers, families | Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain | Resort operation | 4-star, 2-min walk from beach, pool and bar |
| Hotel Flamingo book series (Alex Milway) | Young readers (ages 5–10) | Fictional | 2019 – present (5 books) | Whimsical animal hotel management stories with themes of kindness |
| Flamingo Las Vegas (historical) | Las Vegas history buffs | Las Vegas Strip, Nevada, USA | 1946 (casino), 1947 (hotel) | Mob history, Bugsy Siegel, oldest continuously operating Strip resort |
Is Hotel Flamingo a Good Hotel?
The answer depends entirely on which “Hotel Flamingo” you mean. Both the Spanish resort and the Las Vegas property serve very different needs and budgets.
Gran Hotel Flamingo Lloret de Mar: Guest Ratings and Value
On TripAdvisor, the property holds a consistent 4-bubble rating, with recent guests praising its beach proximity — roughly a two-minute walk — and the quality of its pool area. Reviews describe it as a solid 4-star choice for a beach holiday, especially for families. The property operates on a typical resort basis, with bar service and tour operator packages available through TUI Holidays.
What this means: If you want a straightforward, reputable beach resort at a moderate price point, Gran Hotel Flamingo delivers consistently positive feedback.
Flamingo Las Vegas: Historical Legacy vs Modern Stay
Modern reviews of the Flamingo Las Vegas are more mixed. While its location on the central Strip and its large pool complex are frequently highlighted, some recent guests note that the rooms feel dated compared to newer resorts. Its historical value is undisputed: it is the third resort to open on the Strip and the oldest still-operating property in that corridor. The Mob Museum notes that when the hotel finally opened in March 1947, it set a new standard for integrated casino-resort design.
The bottom line: The Las Vegas Flamingo is a budget-to-midrange option with a rich history. It works well for travelers who care about location and legacy over ultra-modern luxury.
What Is Hotel Flamingo Known For?
The three entities are each known for something distinct:
- Gran Hotel Flamingo (Lloret de Mar): A 4-star beachside resort on the Costa Brava, popular with tour operators and families.
- Hotel Flamingo children’s book series: A set of five illustrated early-reader books by Alex Milway, centred on a run-down hotel run by animals, emphasising community and kindness.
- Flamingo Las Vegas: A historic mob-built casino resort that kicked off the modern Strip. Bugsy Siegel used approximately $6 million in mob funds to complete the project after the original budget of $1.5 million was exceeded.
The catch: Only the name is shared; there is no evidence in the sources reviewed of a licensing or narrative connection between the book series and either hotel property.
How Many Books Are in the Hotel Flamingo Series?
As of 2025, the series contains five books, all written by Alex Milway and published by Piccadilly Press. The books target early readers aged 5 to 10 and tell the story of a dilapidated hotel that a young girl and her animal friends revive.
List of Hotel Flamingo books by Alex Milway in order
- Hotel Flamingo (2019)
- Hotel Flamingo: Carnival Caper (2020)
- Hotel Flamingo: Fabulous Feast (2020)
- Hotel Flamingo: The Big Birthday (2021)
- Hotel Flamingo: Royal Reunion (2022)
The implication: The series is a strong choice for parents and educators looking for light, positive chapter books with inclusive themes — a complete contrast to the crime-and-glamour stories that surround the Las Vegas property.
What Happened to the Flamingo After Siegel Died?
Bugsy Siegel was murdered on June 20, 1947, in Beverly Hills, about six months after the Flamingo’s initial casino opening. He never saw the hotel become profitable. After his death, mob figure Gus Greenbaum took over operations, and within a year the Flamingo began generating strong returns, eventually becoming a model for the integrated resort concept that defined the Strip’s postwar expansion.
The mob takeover and subsequent ownership changes
Greenbaum and other mob associates controlled the property through the early 1950s. Over the following decades, the Flamingo passed through multiple corporate hands — including Hilton Hotels — before becoming part of Caesars Entertainment in 2005.
The Flamingo’s evolution into a modern casino resort
Today, the Flamingo Las Vegas operates as a mid-market property with a wildlife habitat, a large pool complex, and a central Strip location. Its 75th anniversary in 2021 prompted several historical retrospectives that highlighted how the property’s early mob ties were gradually replaced by corporate management.
The result: The Flamingo succeeded brilliantly, but only after Siegel — who funded its overruns — was gone.
Who Owns Flamingo Hotel After Bugsy Siegel Died?
Immediately after Siegel’s death, the mob-controlled operation was taken over by Gus Greenbaum, who ran the casino on behalf of the Meyer Lansky syndicate. By the 1960s, the property had moved into the hands of the Kirk Kerkorian / Hilton lineage, and by 2005 it had been absorbed into Caesars Entertainment, where it remains today.
Why this matters: The ownership chain reflects the broader shift in Las Vegas from organised crime to publicly traded corporations — a transformation that the Flamingo itself helped accelerate.
Pros and Cons by Entity
Gran Hotel Flamingo (Lloret de Mar)
- Immediate beach access (2-minute walk)
- Consistently high guest ratings
- Family-friendly resort atmosphere
- Tour operator packages available (TUI)
- Lloret de Mar can be crowded in high season
- Not a luxury property; lacks fine-dining or spa
- Location is beach-centric, not cultural hubs
Flamingo Las Vegas (historical)
- Central Strip location, close to major attractions
- Rich mob history; self-guided historical tours
- Large pool complex and wildlife habitat
- Budget-friendly for a Strip resort
- Rooms can feel dated, according to recent reviews
- Casino noise penetrates some areas
- Not a top-tier luxury experience
Hotel Flamingo book series (Alex Milway)
- Strong early-reader appeal (ages 5–10)
- Positive themes: kindness, community, teamwork
- 5 books provide a complete series arc
- No connection to gambling or mob themes
- Niche appeal (only relevant for young readers)
- Not available in all countries’ libraries
- Some readers may expect a real hotel story
Best For Segments
- Families with children: Gran Hotel Flamingo (beach resort) or the Hotel Flamingo book series (reading).
- History enthusiasts: Flamingo Las Vegas, especially its Bugsy Siegel and mob history tours.
- Young readers (ages 5–10): The Alex Milway book series, offering 5 volumes of gentle animal adventure.
- Beach vacationers: Gran Hotel Flamingo, rated 4/5 on TripAdvisor and steps from the sand.
Pricing bands (qualitative range)
Gran Hotel Flamingo (Lloret de Mar): €€–€€€ (moderate, typical of 4-star Costa Brava resorts; TUI Holidays packages available).
Flamingo Las Vegas: $–$$ (budget to moderate for the Strip; prices fluctuate seasonally, no specific price data in inputs).
Hotel Flamingo book series: Approximately £6–£8 per paperback.
Our pick
- Beach travelers seeking a 4-star resort in Spain: Gran Hotel Flamingo. Excellent location, reliable ratings, family-friendly.
- Parents looking for a children’s book series: The Hotel Flamingo series by Alex Milway. Warm, wholesome, 5 books available.
- Las Vegas history buffs: Flamingo Las Vegas. Walk the ground where Bugsy Siegel’s ambition and the mob’s money reshaped the Strip.
Sample family break at Gran Hotel Flamingo
Day 1: Arrive, check in, walk the 2 minutes to Lloret de Mar beach. Lunch at a chiringuito.
Day 2: Pool and resort activities. Evening walk along the coastal promenade.
Day 3: Check out, short transfer to Barcelona airport or continue exploring Costa Brava.
This itinerary is illustrative; exact timings depend on travel arrangements.
Flamingo Las Vegas timeline
- 1941–1946: Billy Wilkerson conceives the Flamingo; Bugsy Siegel takes over the project with mob financing.
- December 26, 1946: Casino opens without completed hotel rooms. Guests stay at El Rancho Vegas and the Last Frontier.
- February 6, 1947: Casino closes to finish hotel construction.
- March 1, 1947: Hotel reopens as “The Fabulous Flamingo” with a three-story hotel.
- June 20, 1947: Bugsy Siegel murdered in Beverly Hills.
- Late 1940s–1950s: Gus Greenbaum runs the property; it becomes highly profitable, inspiring the integrated resort model.
- 2005: Flamingo Las Vegas becomes part of Caesars Entertainment.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bugsy Siegel’s house still there?
The home where Siegel was staying in Beverly Hills — 810 North Linden Drive — still exists as a private residence. It is not open to the public. The fact is documented in real estate records and referenced in Las Vegas Weekly retrospectives.
How accurate is the movie Bugsy?
The 1991 film Bugsy with Warren Beatty takes significant creative liberties. It condenses timelines, invents romantic scenes, and overstates Siegel’s direct role in the Flamingo’s design. The sources cited in this article offer more reliable, non-dramatised accounts.
Gran Hotel Flamingo reviews: what do guests say?
Recent guest reviews highlight the hotel’s excellent beach proximity (2-minute walk), friendly staff, and clean pool area. The property holds a 4-bubble rating overall, and tour operator materials give it positive marks for value.
When was Bugsy Siegel killed?
Bugsy Siegel was murdered on June 20, 1947, in Beverly Hills, California, about six months after the Flamingo’s initial casino opening. Historical sources note that the murder remains officially unsolved.
Where is Gran Hotel Flamingo located?
Gran Hotel Flamingo is located in Lloret de Mar, on the Costa Brava in Spain. Official property materials describe the beach as a 2-minute walk from the hotel.
Sources cited
- Wikipedia – Flamingo Las Vegas
- The Mob Museum – Wilkerson’s Idea, Bugsy’s Baby
- Greenish Bookshelf – Hotel Flamingo Series Review
- The StoryGraph – Reviews for Hotel Flamingo