Stay In Jackie Gaughan’s Suite at El Cortez

Photo Credit: Anthony Mair

Casino magnate Jackie Gaughan lived on the top floor of the El Cortez Hotel  in a suite his wife Bertie designed. After he died in 2014, the hotel’s current owners, the Epstein family, decided to honor his legacy by making slight upgrades to the suite while keeping the integrity of the space. The designers stayed true to the suite’s original 1980s style, keeping the upholstered walls and floors, while adding to the retro vibe with new furniture.

Now, for the first time in the suite’s history, fans and history buffs can request to stay in the suite, or rent it out to use for event space. This very exclusive suite can’t be found on the hotel’s website, and can only be reserved by request.

The suite measures about 2,700 square feet including two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, one romper room, a full kitchen and wet bar. The suite is decked out in pastel pink upholstered walls and floors with brass built-ins, a pink marbled tub with gold swan features and original hand-carved wood double doors with brass door pulls in the shape of “J” and “G,” Jackie’s initials. Guests can find the original kitchen appliances and original vintage intercom door entry system. Designers added an art wall of framed vintage records to the Romper Room, which boasts luxury oversized velvet and shag pillows.

Local designers Gisela Isabel and Lora Hunsaker spruced up the space that was featured in Ellie Goulding’s music video for “On My Mind” and has played host to local musicians in the know.