El Cortez Hotel: Where Vintage Vegas Still Lives

Opened in 1941, the El Cortez Hotel & Casino is one of Las Vegas’s oldest operating casinos — and one of its most authentic. In a city obsessed with reinvention, the El Cortez is a rare survivor, maintaining its vintage spirit while still feeling alive and relevant.

Preservation That Matters

In 2013, the El Cortez earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s easy to see why. The building’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, original neon signs, and even the street-level charm of its entrance all feel like stepping into another time — one before mega-resorts and spectacle.

Ownership by people who cared about the property made the difference. After decades under Vegas legend Jackie Gaughan — who famously lived in the penthouse and treated guests and employees like family — the hotel passed to Kenny Epstein, who has kept modernization respectful and preservation at the forefront.

Unlike so many properties that have been gutted or “updated” beyond recognition, the El Cortez still tells its own story.

Rooms With History (and Options)


Depending on your style, there’s a stay for you:

  • Vintage Rooms: Housed in the original 1941 wing, these rooms have the most historic character. If you’re looking for that true Old Vegas feel, this is where you want to be.
  • Tower Premium Rooms: Located in the 15-story tower added in 1980. Newly renovated with a crisp, stylish look — modern but still respectful of the past.
  • Cabana Suites: Across the street, the Art Deco-influenced Cabana Suites bring a punchier, boutique hotel energy.
  • The Jackie Gaughan Suite: If you can book it, you can actually stay in the penthouse once home to Jackie Gaughan himself — a living piece of Vegas history.

Why It Still Matters

In today’s Las Vegas, filled with corporate mega-properties and endless reinventions, the El Cortez stands out by staying the course. It’s proof that preservation isn’t about freezing time — it’s about honoring the past while making space for the future.

If you care about vintage Vegas — or just want to experience real hospitality with a sense of place — the El Cortez is where you’ll find it.

Check out contact information in our listing on Retroroadtrip.net here! 

AI tools like ChatGPT helped with research and editing for this article — but the stories, photos, and love for mid-century style are 100% human.

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