The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

For a slice of true Vegas nostalgia, head to The Flamingo Hotel and Casino. This resort was built by Bugsy Siegel back in the 1940s and is a true original.

It was one of the first hotels to appear on the Strip and has been living the life of a high roller for longer than most of us have been alive.

So what's the fuss?
Duh, it's The Flamingo ­ - one of the best-known hotels in Vegas! OK, so it's not as swanky as some of the other resorts, but it's a perfectly nice place to stay and has a whole lot of history to boot.

Set on the famous four corners of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, this hotel is located right in the thick of the action. It's not as pricey as some of the other resorts either, so is a great choice if you're on a bit of a budget.

Some people say that these days, the hotel is looking a little rough around the edges, but take it from me ­ - that's rubbish. Customer satisfaction is what Vegas is all about, so rest assured that the hotel has seen several rerfurbs since the 1940s.

How many rooms?
More than 3,600. Rooms come in two types ­ the bog-standard (Deluxe) or and the something special (Flamingo Go).

The deluxe rooms measure nearly 350sq ft and all come with TVs, internet access and in-room safes.

The award-winning Flamingo Go rooms, on the other hand, have only recently been made over to offer the ultimate in luxury.

Each of the trendy boudoir-style rooms boasts an ultra soft bed with ceiling-high headboard and 42" flatscreen TVs come as standard, along with top-of-the-range sound systems and deluxe bathrooms. Very nice!

Good facilities?
Oh yes. There's a spa, workout room and full-service salon, not to mention a golf club and two pools. The Flamingo pool is made up of interconnecting lagoons, waterfalls and slides, but if you prefer more intimate - and adult only - surroundings, upgrade to the Flamingo Go Pool which only opened earlier this year.

Here, European-style sunbathing is the order of the day and you can relax with a cocktail and listen to music spun by the pool's very own DJ.

If you're feeling flush, you can also reserve one of the private cabanas, complete with LCD TV, mini fridge and a personal butler.

Poolside pampering comes at a price, of course, but believe me - it's well worth the money!

What's the casino like?
Massive! It has 2,100 slot machines, 71 different tables and a giant race and sports book.

Is there a rewards scheme for gamblers?
Yep. The Flamingo is part of the Total Rewards scheme, which is offered by all Harrah's Casino Hotels and works on an 'earn as you play' basis.

The scheme is free to join (most hotels have a dedicated sign up desk) and new members usually get a few dollars' free credit that you can redeem at a range of other resorts.

In Vegas, these include Caesars, Harrah's, Horseshoe, Bally's, Imperial Palace, Rio, Grand Biloxi, Harveys, Showboat and Paris.

Nice restaurants?
Well, you certainly won't starve here. The Flamingo has ten eateries dotted around the resort where you can enjoy everything from a quick snack to a five-course meal and entertainment in between.

Each restaurant is really an attraction in itself, but Hamada of Japan was recently voted 'Best Japanese' by Zagat's Restaurant Guide and Steakhouse46 is a real Las Vegas favourite.

For a more informal dining, there's the Beach Club and Burger Joint, not to mention the Promenade Food Court, Pink Bean and Tropical Breeze Café. The Paradise Garden Buffet is also incredibly popular and dishes up some of the cheapest ­ - and best ­ - buffet meals on the Strip.

The maze-like Margaritaville is an absolute must if you like your themed restaurants (expect to be seated in boats and planes) and I can also recommend the Sin City Brewing Company for a hand-crafted microbrewed beer.

Any trendy after-dark options?
If you're a cocktail fan, Margaritaville is well worth a visit whether you're eating or not, and the fact that it's packed out 24/7 only proves its popularity. You won't miss a beat in Bugsy's Bar either, which is open around the clock and located at the heart of the casino.

What about the shows?
You'll be spoilt for choice here. Currently, Donny and Marie Osmond have the main residency at The Flamingo, but you can also catch comedians George Wallace and Vinnie Favorito, as well as magician, Nathan Burton.

If you're looking for some more adult entertainment, you won't be disappointed by X-Burlesque either ­ a saucy show where scantily clad women bump and grind to the hottest RnB, rock and hip-hop.

Any good shops?
Not really. There are plenty of places where you can stock up on essentials and touristy tat, but if you're in the mood for some serious retail therapy, this isn't the place to come.

Can I get hitched here?
Of course! The Flamingo has six different venues available for weddings - both indoor and outdoor - and a team of specialists on hand to make sure your big day runs smoothly.

Happy couples can choose to get married in either the Garden Chapel, the Gazebo Chapel, the Crescendo Pool, the West Lawn or Paradise Falls.

Kid-friendly?
Sort of. Little 'uns will like looking at the flamingos in the wildlife habitat and roaming around the outdoor water playground. Aside from that though, The Flamingo won't really win them over.

Any special offers?
Yep. The Flamingo generally has a range of deals all year round but at certain times of the year, you can pick up a room for as little as $35 a night.

The hotel also offers a range of 'Stay and Play' packages where you can combine a show ticket with a few nights' stay and special 'Lust' and 'Love' offers for couples.