This post is based on a sponsored stay that was provided. All opinions are strictly those of the Champagne Living team of writers.
Does mid-century modern energize your senses? Is last year’s tan fading into oblivion? Do you need a spot to chill? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, look no further than the 170-room Flamingo Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, California. When you step into the newly remodeled digs of wood, glass, and stone, you just want to utter, “Man, this is groovy.” Black-and-white images of the ‘60s in the lobby, corded princess phones in the guest rooms, and a 50-foot pillar blaring Hotel Flamingo in pink neon letters harken to the days when teens couldn’t get enough of the Beach Boys and Frankie Avalon movies.
Santa Rosa’s palatial hot spot, patterned after the famous Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, opened in 1957, catering to Hollywood elites such as crooner Frank Sinatra and platinum blond starlet Jayne Mansfield. Like many buildings of the era, however, it fell into disrepair in the ‘70s. It was so bad, in fact, that city officials threatened to condemn the whole eyesore.
As the story goes, German investor Werner Ehret swooped in and saved the day in 1978, at least for a while. After switching several hands, by 2019, new investors led by Yang Capital decided to elevate the hotel to a new level of luxury. By 2021, the hotel completed a $20 million makeover throughout the premises but kept the mid-century modern vibe and amplified the design. Today, post-pandemic, visitors are flocking to the lush property as if they never skipped a vacation beat.
For the uninitiated, quiet Santa Rosa is about an hour and thirteen minutes north of San Francisco. The former agricultural town is populated with farmers markets, residential homes, and wineries dotted here and there. The landmark property is the city’s best-kept secret for R&R, nestled behind a CVS pharmacy and Safeway supermarket.
Life at the Flamingo revolves around the pool where summertime DJs summon droves of fans. My daughter Gwen and I arrived for a getaway weekend. Since our rooms weren’t ready, we thought we would hang out by the water. At three o’clock, it seemed that every seat was snagged. But all hope was not lost. A kind lady with a fancy sun hat saw my desperation and pointed to a pair of lounge chairs. “Take those. They’re not coming back.”
We raced to the seats, casting off the wet pool towels from the chairs, and glued ourselves to the furniture becoming pool squatters. The full spectrum of sun worshippers included tan seekers immobile on the lawn, girlfriends catching up on life, mommies slipping water wings on little ones, and dads gingerly dipping their babies’ toes in the water.
We later meandered to the hot tub for a little dip, but the tiny thing was crammed with six adults even though the sign says it accommodates twelve. We stood looking sad and pathetic; a few folks felt guilty and got out. Too bad the jets did not work properly; they just bubbled upwards like mini fountains. Nonetheless, the warm water was satisfying.
On this Saturday, a bridal shower party fluttered in with bags of presents. Giggling, they dragged over lawn chairs forming a cult-like circle for their celebration. It is no wonder the Flamingo trends as a party pad for Santa Rosans. Grounds are lush with exotic plants and dense with redwood trees. You can converse by the fire pits at night.
Meanwhile, the retro interior design integrates 21st-century sensibilities. Art lovers will be inspired by the lobby’s vibrant mural of an Asian woman surrounded by phones and a jungle of fauna. Wi-Fi, USB outlets, and flat-screen televisions come standard in guest rooms, feeding all our tech addictions.
Like the days of old, no elevators exist. If you are toting tons of luggage, cry for help. We ran our bags up to the one-bedroom, king suite on the second level. FYI: secure Room 421 if you are traveling with the kids or thrive on having lots of space. (The hotel offers 14 suites both upstairs and downstairs). With floor-to-ceiling windows, the 625-square-foot abode overlooks the pool and lawn.
Baby Boomers like me are apt to reminisce upon seeing the button-tufted couches and retro tea kettles. Gwen and I tromped around in our snow-white hotel robes as we snacked on leftovers conveniently stored in the mini-fridge. Gold faucets, matching gold ice buckets, and trays accented the room with sophistication.
At the main restaurant, the Lazeaway Club, the Asian-fusion menu is overlaid with Hawaiian ambiance. At breakfast, we swayed to piped-in ukulele tunes. On the kitschy design wall, flamingo statues, a tiki bar calendar, and a wooden monkey made us grin. Helmed by executive chef Chris Ricketts with a San Francisco restaurant resume, the casual space truly offers gourmet eats. As much as possible, Ricketts sources fresh produce, proteins, and products from neighboring vendors such as low-acid coffee from the Bella Rosa Coffee Company in Santa Rosa.
Several delicious options are on the menu, and I zoom in on the loco moco this morning. This Hawaiian breakfast staple comes with a bed of rice topped with brown gravy, a hamburger, and a fried egg. The dish transported me to Zippy’s, one of my favorite family haunts in Oahu.
By night the restaurant morphs into a dinner establishment. With a tiki-lounge feel, of course, there are drinks. Lots of drinks on this killer cocktail, wine, and beer list. Guava punch slushy, pina colada, sparkling wine, and sweet/tart mocktails quench the thirst of young and old.
The star of the dinner show is a bibimbap Korean rice dish with beef and kimchi. Together with the seared trumpet mushrooms, I know I will be back even if I do have to drive two hours to get here.
If your dream resort vacation includes a spa treatment, you’re in luck. The spa next door features a slate of massages and facials. The full-sized gym is available for free to guests. If you want to take classes, there is an extra fee.
Want to explore? The hotel’s location is ideal. Minutes away is the Charles Schultz Museum, home to the comic character Charlie Brien, Snoopy, and his peers. Wineries such as Paradise Ridge and Mantanzas Winery deliver views and award-winning sips.
But, perhaps your agenda this weekend is to sit still. If you are craving privacy and don’t want to drive, hang out at the Flamingo and clip your wings for a spell. Order the guava punch slushy, and sunbathe by the pool. I guarantee you’ll feel as relaxed and pampered as Jayne Mansfield with or without the blond hair.
- For more information and to book your stay, visit Flamingo Resort & Spa
