Low-angle view of iconic multi-story sign for the Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July 3, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA – Midcentury Modern design is all the rage these days. People are snapping up copies of classic Midcentury furniture like the iconic Eames chair, and Midcentury architecture is very much in vogue.
Although Pottery Barn is all too happy to sell you a Midcentury-inspired bookcase or crib, actual examples of real-life Midcentury architecture are relatively hard to find–especially in the progress-obsessed Bay Area.
This Summer, I visited the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa, California. This classic property was built in the 1950s, meaning it’s an authentic examples of Midcentury design and architecture. Yet it’s been recently totally renovated, which means it’s up to modern standards (it’s now part of the Hilton chain).
Here’s a tour and my thoughts after my Summer visit:
More Thoughts and Photos
I’ll share a full review eventually, but essentially, I found that the original Midcentury architecture was one of the coolest things about the property.
Interior walkway with stone walls and windows at Flamingo hotel in Santa Rosa, California, an example of Midcentury Modern architecture, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Hotel room block at Flamingo hotel in Santa Rosa, California, an example of Midcentury Modern architecture, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Hotel room block at Flamingo hotel in Santa Rosa, California, an example of Midcentury Modern architecture, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
The hotel even leans into the classic look with modern touches like Midcentury Modern clocks in each room.
Close-up of a Newgate analog Midcentury Modern style clock, Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
The other great thing about the Flamingo Resort is its central pool. It’s huge, has tons of chairs, and is clearly the focal point of the whole place.
Santa Rosa gets chilly, though, so make sure you visit at a warm time of year if you want to swim. This isn’t Palm Springs!
Central pool is visible at Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July 2, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Umbrellas are visible around the central pool at the Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)General view of the outdoor pool area with lounge chairs, green umbrellas, and guests enjoying the sun at Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July 2, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
The pool area and the overall setup of the hotel is inspired by the iconic Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.
Postcard depicting the grounds of the Flamingo Hotel, featuring the heated Olympic swimming pool amidst landscaped gardens, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 1950. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
The hotel has an onsite restaurant called the Lazeaway Club that also leans into the Midcentury theme, serving dishes you might find on a menu in the ’50s.
It’s delicious and has especially good cocktails, although it’s pricey.
Interior of the Lazeaway Club restaurant at the Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Close-up of menu for Lazeaway Club restaurant at Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
The rooms at the Flamingo are newly updated. But because the property is historic, they’re small by modern standards. That makes it a bit challenging to stay with a larger family.
Double bed room at Flamingo Hotel, a restored Midcentury Modern hotel in Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Bed at Flamingo Hotel, a restored Midcentury Modern hotel in Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Bathroom at Flamingo Hotel, a restored Midcentury Modern hotel in Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Bathtub at Flamingo Hotel, a restored Midcentury Modern hotel in Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
That said, if you love historic architecture but you want to stay in a place that feels nicely updated and not at all scuzzy or run down, the Flamingo Resort makes a great choice.
The Midcentury vibes are strong here, and that pool is quite inviting–especially with a classic 1950s cocktail in hand!
Lobby area with Midcentury Modern furniture at Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)Lobby area with Midcentury Modern furniture at Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, California, July, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado)
Thomas Smith is a food and travel photographer and writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His photographic work routinely appears in publications including Food and Wine, Conde Nast Traveler, and the New York Times and his writing appears in IEEE Spectrum, SFGate, the Bold Italic and more. Smith holds a degree in Cognitive Science (Neuroscience) and Anthropology from the Johns Hopkins University.
