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Flamingo tips?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by mamamk, Jan 21, 2013.

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  1. mamamk

    mamamk Tourist

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    I'm inspired by the request for Bally's tips..... we're staying at the Flamingo from May 12-15 (arriving in Vegas on Saturday night but staying at Silverton that night b/c it's so much cheaper)..... got a Go Luxury room with a view for a great price (it helps to book six months in advance for our anniversary)........

    Is there any reason to use the $20 trick? Does Flamingo have any jacuzzi rooms that we might be able to wangle our way into? Any special tips for room requests? Or anything at all?

    I might get a coupon book ahead of time and at least one of them has a coupon for free admission to their spa..... is it worth buying admission for my husband as well?

    Any info would be very welcome!
     
  2. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    I am not a "view" person, I always request something in the rear overlooking the habitat area. The elevators there are faster and rarely crowded and its super easy to get around the property from there.

    I am a big Flamingo fan and stay their or Ballys depending on who is more generous, except during the summer, then its Flamingo all the way because of the superior pool.

    Most dont care much for the food at Carlos and Charlies, but I found it suitable for a mid day lunch and Margarita. The buffet is average at best. I usually go elsewhere to eat, except at late night/early am the food court is great.

    It is an easy walk out the back of the property to Stage Door or Ellis Island if you want to drink or eat on the cheap. I have never tried the $20 trick here because I like the basic room in the back during the summer for its ease.
     
  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Who knows if it will stay this way until May, but if it does keep this in mind:

    Flamingo's front desk has a check-in line that includes ALL Tiers of Total Rewards members that is sparingly used even when the main check-in line is gigantic (people can't read I guess). When we checked in this past summer, we may have saved an hour by standing in the Total Rewards line and flashing our lowly Gold cards.

    I also was unimpressed with Carlos 'n' Charlies. I had to initially send my food back because the menu description told me a chicken breast, but I got a bone-in half chicken instead??? At first I wondered if I misread it, but on the way out, I reread a menu, which said a chicken breast. After that, ordered a steak instead, and I might prefer Ellis Island's steak if that tells you anything... If you want to try the place, I really recommend getting a groupon for it. It's definitely not worth full-price.

    If you like microbrew stuff, I recommend Sin City Brew Co. by the Habitat/Pool entrance. They have VP at the bar if you want to play for comped drinks.
     
  4. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Since you already booked the Go Luxury w/view, ask for a south tower room. They face Ballys, Bills, Bellagio and have IMO the better view of the fountains. With what you booked they could put you facing the strip/Caesars. Some complain about those rooms being too noisy from the club at Caesars. I think the ones facing Caesars have shower only no tub. I have upgraded to their big Go suite and even that did not have a jacuzzi tub. Flamingo is not known for them.
     
  5. arkansasrebel

    arkansasrebel Tourist

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    My wife and I spent two nights at the flamingo last week. I had booked a fab luxury room. Had a nice view of Caesars and the Bellagio fountains. Didn't try Carlos and Charlie's but tried Margaritaville. I was not impressed. The Tropical Breeze Cafe had a mid-6am steak and egg special for $7.99 with TR card. Easiest direct strip access, out the casino front door and your on the strip. Definitely hit a CVS, Walgreens ect rather that the shops inside the Flamingo 20oz sodas $3.25, cigs $10.50 a pack, beer 5-8 a can.
     
  6. banddswig

    banddswig Tourist

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    We will also be there in May 20-26 , cannot wait to sit by the pool for hours on end. This will be our first try at the Flamingo. We have stayed at other CT propeties and for the most part find them suitable, and affordable.
     
  7. slimmy28

    slimmy28 Low-Roller

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    I have stayed at Flamingo 3 times, however none since 2009. I will be staying there just after you from 5/30 to 6/3. I have stayed in the GO rooms and the standard Deluxe. I have stayed there with a big bankroll and when times were a little tighter. I have yet to have a bad experience at the Flamingo. The ease to the strip is second to none and in the summer, I really enjoy the pool. I've never been a big fan of the food offerings there, but I like to get out and try other options. The buffet was avg. at best and the Old Burger Bar or whatever it was called was awful. It's my understanding it's gone now and in my opinion, whatever they put in instead will be better. Other than the food, I love this property. I like the casino and seem to do well there. Definitely keep your eyes out when you arrive to check in. There lines can be a bit long, but look at ALL the signage to see if you can squeeze in to a preferred line.

    Have a great time.
     
  8. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    And more run down looking (elevators)

     
  9. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Flamingo is great!

    If you are going to use the pool and want a chair, go early. You will need your ID for the pool (and will get a wristband based on if you are over 21). Even if you don;t plan to drink at the pool bring your ID or you might be going back to the room. Make the coffee in your room if it is free (the coffee shops are pricey - especially the one Sin City Brewing). There is a cheaper coffee shop by the party pit area (iirc).
     
  10. Mayoman

    Mayoman High-Roller

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    I've stayed at Flamingo over 20 times and never had a bad experience. I've never done the $20 dollar trick, but they've upgraded me about half the time.
    The new steak place is good, but a little pricey. There are better options out there. I liked Charlies, food and service was good.
    Flamingo has great bloody mary's.
     
  11. reags4

    reags4 Newbie

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    The Flamingo is probably my favourite hotel to stay at besides Caesars.
    Great location, great pool.
    For sure head out the back way to the Stage door casino store for cheaper beer and $2.50 hot dog/beer specials.
    Also hit up Ellis Island for their $7.99 bbq chicken special and $2.25 pints!
     
  12. spikeylee

    spikeylee Tourist

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    I've stayed at the Flamingo twice and already booked my next trip at the Flamingo next month.

    Both times I have booked the "Fab Luxury Rooms" as I've been comped. I always do the $20 tip trick and here are my results

    1st Trip - Nov. 16 (Fri) - Nov. 18 (Sun) - Checked in approximately 4A.M. called in advance not to cancel my booking. Younger lady in her late 20's. Sandwiched the $20 between my cards and said "I'd appreciate anything you can do for me today"... usually better than "do you have any complimentary upgrades?" that everyone uses.. She already knew what I was expecting and asked if I was looking for an upgrade? She went to the back, came out, and got upgraded to the older type suite on the 27th floor w/view. I believe there are 28 floors? Correct me if I am wrong. But anyways this suite was huge. 1 Bedroom, which 2 restrooms, jacuzzi, and a huge living room with a flat screen tv, couch, and dining table. Had it's own kitchen with a mini fridge. However, it was really such a waste of room and they should really be upgraded. The living room took up 2/3 of the room and there wasn't much there. Super small tv in bedroom that didn't work. All furniture was pretty outdated but loved the how big it was and the awesome view. I don't think these are available to book online.

    2nd trip - Dec. 21 (Fri) - Dec. 23(sun) - Checked in approximately midnight. A man in his late 20's, early 30's. He said he usually works in the back, but came out the front that night. Sandwiched the $20 and said the same thing. Upgraded me to "Pet Stay Go Deluxe". Unfortunately it was at a pet room, however did not bother me at all as all other rooms were booked. Room was VERY clean and did not seem like a pet room. These rooms are pretty nice and would love to stay here again. He did give me an option of the same suite as I got on my first trip. However, declined as I wanted to check out this Go Room.

    Overall Flamingo is a great place. Center of the trip, and easy to walk around from your hotel room to the casino floor. However, parking can be better as it pretty much gets filled at night. Other than that, I'd continue staying here as long as I get comped from them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2013
  13. mamamk

    mamamk Tourist

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    Thank you!

    Lots of good tips! It's good to hear there is at least one room with a jacuzzi, we can ask and see if we can score an upgrade.....

    This is all very encouraging. It's so hard to wait FOUR MORE MONTHS!!!!!
     
  14. feltbettor

    feltbettor Tourist

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    You didn't say if you'd been to the Flamingo before or not but if your sensitive to certain smells this might not be the best casino for you.

    It really depends, everyone I talk to generally says it doesn't bother them but when I stayed there I got very tired of the tropical smell they pump throughout the casino. By the second day I decided I would gamble somewhere else for the remainder of the trip.
     
  15. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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    For me, the pretty much only good part about Flamingo is the GO rooms, so make sure you have one of those! I wouldn't stay in any other room there personally. If you don't I'd try to $20 tip for that...

    Also they have Total Rewards check in there even if you are the lowest tier. I don't gamble much but I did get to cut in front of like 50 people!

    Also check out the Margaritaville Casino, it has all the newer machines and it's cleaner.

    See Donnie & Marie!! One of the very best shows in Vegas.

    If you are driving, their parking garage is pretty small, so keep that in mind.. if it's a really busy weekend you may have trouble. Or would want to valet. Also the garage is incredibly dirty and sketchy. Caesars property upkeep at it's finest haha.


    I didn't notice that, but my GO room and the halls had a fairly strong stench of like BO... or being dirty. Even though everything appeared clean.
     
  16. queenofvegas

    queenofvegas Low-Roller

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    Flamingo "GO" rooms are always our choice, we have stayed several times and will again in March. Love to sit at Bugsy's Bar playing VP in the morn and have the coffee there. Just a relaxing time, and cant go wrong with some Bailey's in your coffee. Enjoy your stay, we also love the Flamingo pool, get in line early. They are getting so many of the "pay for" chairs out there though it is getting ridiculously crowded.
     
  17. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    This is the only property I'm aware of which has a special line for the lowly Gold Card folks. Do any other CET places have this? I sure don't remember it.
     
  18. Terry Benedict

    Terry Benedict VIP Whale

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    The Flamingo always gets a lot of responses and opinions. That tells me a LOT of us have stayed there. I believe a lot of the criticism comes from unfulfilled expectations. That is, so many of us have enjoyed our stays that there is an expectation that it is the best place on the Strip. (The rest of the criticism seems to be about housekeeping.)

    That being said, I believe that the Flamingo is actually the best value on the Strip. We get more for out money there than anywhere else. I think that since you already have a GO Luxury with a view, there wouldn't be any reason to try to upgrade. You did fine, with a price you like.

    The best tip is to use the TR registration line, as said before. It wasn't marked clearly the last time I was there, simply the last few tellers(?) on the right end. I got a ton of dirty looks from the people in the long regular line that I skated past, but it was totally worth it. If you don't have a card, it will probably save you time by going through the TR counter first. It's right across from registration.
     
  19. lmchls

    lmchls Tourist

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    I have signed up for the Total Rewards Card and will be coming to Vegas next month staying at the Flamingo :cheers: How do I get a copy of my card?
     
  20. salukidean

    salukidean High-Roller

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    I would normally agree with this.....however, construction at Bills will likely be in full force at that time. The views may be obstructed with equipment and you may get early wake up calls (from construction equipment) whether you like it or not.
     
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