Now run by the lifestyle experience brand Spoken by Point Group, the revamped Flamingo has a number of modern offerings for travelers looking for a little more than pool time. Five two-story buildings with guest rooms jutting out in star-like formation revolve around the pool and common area. A mural and a funky fish tank terrarium by SF-based Serge Gay Jr. Scottsdale's Weddle Gilmore and San Francisco's BAR Architects honored the original natural materials and style of the place.Ī garden sculpture by Hybycozo marks entrance into the grand porte cochere with vertical wood paneling, a fire pit and lounge seating, and floor-to-ceiling windows that give you a peek out to the pool, the centerpiece of the resort. The 10-acre property, originally designed by Homer Rissman, was the beneficiary of sweeping renovations that debuted last June. ![]() Recognizable by the neon pink flamingo-topped tower that marks the resort's entrance-which was designated as a historical landmark by the City of Santa Rosa in 1997-the Flamingo is well-known as a destination for tropical cocktails by the pool and a bit of midcentury flair. The central pool remains the Flamingo Resort's number-one draw. I left the ceremony with a little jolt of energy (cacao is a stimulant, after all), but also with the calming feeling of being grounded. I can't say that I experienced anything as profound as visions or voices of my ancestors, but in the end I did feel a sense of connection to myself and gratitude for the time taken to go inward. As he talked about cacao, he encouraged us to go within and connect with ourselves during the one-hour ceremony, which ended with a singalong (not as cringe-y as you might think) and group sharing. But, in fact, I'm much closer to home and in a place you would not expect: the Flamingo, Santa Rosa's iconic midcentury stay-once a favorite retreat for celebrities including Jayne Mansfield-which has received a recent glow-up and a spate of new wellness offerings.Īntonio served us all a cup, which we stirred and sipped as we set intentions. ![]() Overall, cacao was believed to strengthen people's connection to the divine, whether in life or in death.īy the sound of it, you might think I've joined this ceremony in someplace like Tulum, the wellness-centric resort town within day trip's distance to the ancient Mayan ruin of Chichen Itza. The lobby and other spaces are brightened with work from some of today’s leading artists, and all of the rooms and suites have been remodeled with an emphasis on natural light and a serene palette.One morning this spring, I joined in a circle with a handful of others around a ceremonialist named Antonio and his many jars and bowls of cacao, among other ritualistic knickknacks.Īntonio explained the sacred history of cacao, which has been an important part of Native Mesoamerican cultures for at least 4,000 years, believed by many there to be an ingredient used in the creation of humanity, a bloodline of sorts.Ĭacao has been used in a wide variety of rituals and practices such as weddings, births, and baptisms due to its strong ties to fertility, and was even employed as a way to uplift a spirit before sacrifice (yes, as in human sacrifice to the gods). The resort’s original neon beacon still stands out front, unchanged, but the building’s sweeping art deco entryway has been replaced with angles and warm wood. The Flamingo was there to host it all, and serve bottomless martinis along the way. Far enough from Hollywood but close enough for an impromptu escape, mid-century Sonoma had its own image, its own style, and its own energy. Named after the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Santa Rosa’s Flamingo quickly became a celebrity draw, famously welcoming sixties stars like Jayne Mansfield to its poolside deck. It remains one of the area’s more retro and stand-out options, inviting you a step beyond the expected. Choosing the Flamingo for your visit to wine country guarantees the best of what modern-day Sonoma County has to offer a relic no more, the resort is ready to cater to those looking for laid-back luxury in what has become one of the country’s premier destinations. The architecture, grounds, and aesthetic still carry the nostalgia of California’s Golden Age, but it’s more subtle, coming through in accents. ![]() Curated touches promise a sense of peace and familiarity while acknowledging the Flamingo’s long history in northeast Santa Rosa. With a more mindful approach to hospitality, the changes prioritize comfort over celebrity and intent over indulgence. Built in 1957, Sonoma County’s Flamingo Resort is re-emerging into the spotlight with a fully renovated space, a new dining destination, and a schedule of programming where you are the focus.
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