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The El Cortez is the oldest, continuously operating casino in Las Vegas, dating back to 1941 when Fremont Street was paved only to Fourth Street, two blocks away. It's so ancient that Bugsy Siegel was a minority owner for a time. Today, the EC still prides itself on being "a family-run casino, unburdened by the trappings and constraints of corporate ownership." It's also one of the few casinos in Las Vegas to still offer coin-in slots. Walking through the door is like stepping back in time. (The sports book is contemporary, however.) Six different types of rooms are offered, from "vintage" to "designer suites." The El Cortez also owns the separate but adjacent South Beach-style Cabana Suites, with such modern niceties as iPod docking stations and a fitness center. There is only one restaurant, Siegel's 41, a glorified coffee shop open 24 hours.
