Inside The El Cortez on Fremont Las Vegas

The El Cortez is an iconic site in Las Vegas and lives in the heart of Fremont East downtown. It is the longest, continuously operating hotel and casino in Las Vegas and has been frequented by some of the biggest names in Sin City history. With the likes of mobster Bugsy Siegel having been part owner at one point, the El Cortez has an extensive history within its walls.

If you’ve never been to this hotel and casino, you’re definitely missing out on one of Vegas’ historic hotspots that offers amazing room, dining and drink specials.

Built in 1941 with 59 rooms at a cost of $245k, the El Cortez has been through many transitions including a recent facelift that incorporated the creation of 60 plus boutique-style cabanas fashioned with South Beach-style decor. In total, the hotel now has 400 rooms on 41,300-square-feet, with three bars, three restaurants and two quick-hit snack areas.

Today, the El Cortez boasts some of the best gambling in town and was recently voted ‘best keno.' With more than 1,000 slot machines, 21 tables, and race/sports book action, you’re bound to have a good time and, hopefully, take home some extra dollars.

Inside the El Cortez, you’ll find a labyrinth of gambling options, bars and restaurants on the casino level under dim lighting against deep wood and rouge accents. The casino even has a small area of coin-operated slot machines to give you the nostalgic feeling of old Vegas.

When it comes to the dining at El Cortez, you’ll find mouth-watering steaks, Alaskan King crab, and pate foie gras at The Flame Steakhouse. This 18 and over dining establishment is the perfect way to enjoy a sophisticated meal with seafood flown in daily while you dine to live piano music.

Each Thursday, head to The Parlour bar for glasses of $5 Champagne and revel as patrons giving it their all at karaoke. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can enjoy the Sinatra sensation Peter Pavone or on Fridays and Saturdays listen to Elvis tribute singer John Brooks.

If you’re staying at the El Cortez, definitely opt for one of the newly refurbished cabanas, or if you’re looking for that real old school vibe, go with one of the motel-style rooms on the fifth floor of the main hotel. As you leave the elevator and are greeted by an open-air walkway to your room, you’ll get amazing views of Fremont East, the newly built Container Park and the surrounding area.

While most of Vegas is known for demolishing the sentimental and building newer and bigger entertainment venues, El Cortez is a nod to the past and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. It was recently listed as a National Register of Historic Places. That doesn’t mean you should wait to relish in this notable relic of the past. Get in there on your next trip to Vegas and you’ll be glad you did.