I'll preface this review by saying I am a weekly business traveler, therefore I get more than my share of hotel room time.
I was offered a comp for (3) nights at the Flamingo for my July 6-12 Las Vegas trip. I generally spend the entire week at The Orleans off-strip, but decided to stay 3 nights at the Flamingo for free and enjoy several shows on the strip. After reading the reviews, I was nervous about staying here.
I arrived at 2:30pm on a Monday afternoon and there was a long line at check-in. To the Flamingo's credit, there were 4 people helping guests check-in and several more were added during my half hour wait. Much of the delay appeared to be guests (tourists) who didn't have a clue what they wanted, didn't have their credit card ready, etc...The staff was very patient with everyone (I could overhear many of the conversations), much more patient than I could have managed.
I was comped for a basic room but requested a renovated GO room, which was offered for $30 per night. I didn't mind paying a small amount for the upgrade, I do spend several hours each day in my room relaxing and I was not about to let $90 total keep me from being very happy with my room. I was assigned to a pool view GO room on the 27th floor.
I was thrilled with the room! It was very very clean (again, keep in mind I am in a hotel every week, and OMG, the things I've seen) and the pool view was super. Loved the floor-to-ceiling windows, the large flat screen tv, and the pillow top bed. Adored the push button controls for the window drapes! The TV in the bathroom mirror was fun. Again, everything was immaculately clean.
Maid service was very good each day, my room was always clean by noon.
I enjoyed the pool, although I don't like the "pressure" to arrive by 9am to get a lounger. I did manage to arrive by 8:30 each morning and their were plenty to choose from. Important pool notes:
1) Gate opens at 8am, no swimming allowed until 9am. As I said, I arrived a 8:30 and lots of lounger choices were available.
2) I read in an ealier review that carry-in beverages were not allowed. I didn't have any problem with this at all...I openly carried in a plastic bottle of soda and the guard didn't blink each day. I was glad because I really didn't want to pay huge prices just for a soda.
3) The poolside concessions open at 9am. I asked for a glass of ice, was prepared to pay, and it was free. So, you can carry in a soda or bottle of water, then drink it in a glass of ice...perfect!
4) Saw a number of people leave towels and belongings on chairs at 8:30 then didn't come back by the time I left the pool at 11am.
The hallway of my floor was kept clean. The only issue I had with the room was the family who moved in next door on my last night. You would not even believe what they were letting their 2 little kids do to the room. I could hear the kids jumping on the bed, slamming the closets, running water constantly, it was insane. Fortunately, the kids crashed by 10pm (I would too if I were a holy terror all day) and I checked out the next morning. This wasn't the hotel's fault, merely inadequate parents who let their children run wild in the halls and the room.
I ate the breakfast buffet twice and really enjoyed it. I ate at Margarittaville for a late dinner one night and enjoyed the cheeseburger I ordered. While gambling in the casino, I was asked if I wanted a drink over and over....I usually have a soda with me and don't use the drink service, but thought I'd mention it as I've read other reports saying they had problems with drink service. There were times the waitresses came so often it was a little annoying, so I certainly didn't have any problems with drink service.
I saw both X Burlesque and Vinnie Favorito at the Flaming. X Burlesque was a low budget dance review, but the girls were good dancers and it was enjoyable. Vinnie Favorito was an absolute scream, not for the faint of heart, but one of the best comedy shows I've seen. In a word...Go!
