When you mention pink Flamingos, one automatically thinks of those plastic flamingos that adorned many front lawns in California during the 1960's and 1970's. In Las Vegas, The Flamingo Hilton Hotel & Casino sits on prime Las Vegas property right in the middle of the Strip! No fake flamingos here. The real flamingos, if you are interested, are located in the flamingo habitat in the rear of the hotel complex.

Las Vegas used to have the reputation as the playing grounds to many under world figures. Ironically, infamous mobster Bugsy Siegal founded the Flamingo Hotel & Casino. Today the mob influence is gone and a new family oriented theme has been implemented to attract families of all ages. This hotel is now owned and operated by the same company that runs the Las Vegas Hilton.

THE PARKING STRUCTURE

Like many of the hotels on the Strip, Flamingo Hilton Hotel & Casino's parking facilities is located in the rear of the property. If you are arriving by car, the parking structure is located on Audra Lane. This street is somewhat hard to find but once you enter this street, the parking structure is easy to find. Coincidentally, Audra Lane also serves as the exit of the Imperial Palace.

FLAMINGO HOTEL & CASINO, REGISTRATION AND ROOMS

Checking in was very easy. When I arrived at 4:30PM, I was immediately helped and given the credit card type keys to my room.

I requested a non-smoking room and was pleasantly surprised there was no cigarette smoke odor anywhere in the room. My room had two queen-sized beds. The beds were very comfortable and also did not have that "cigarette' odor. Bathrooms were somewhat small compared to some hotels on the Strip. Bath towels, soap and lotions was generous. An iron and an ironing board are available.

One great point about the room was the lack of air-conditioning/heating noise. When you turned on the heater, it did not make an obnoxious noise like a lot of other hotels!

For those who travel with jewelry or other valuables, a room safe was available. This safe was capable of storing a fairly large woman's handbag.

THE CASINO

By Las Vegas standards, the Flamingo is not elegant like Bellagio or Venetian but the atmosphere is very nice and very comfortable. I was most impressed by the brightness and cleanliness of the casino, restrooms and restaurants.

Gaming fanfare includes your standard table games such as poker, black jack, craps, roulette as well as your high roller areas with baccarat and $5, $10, $25, $50 and $100 slot machines. The Sports Book was where I made my first bet of the evening. Of course, I had to play my beloved Los Angeles Lakers (they won and I won a $15 bet).

FLAMINGO PLAYERS CLUB

Before even putting one dime into the casino's slot machines or dropping a $20 bill on the card tables, join the Flamingo Player's Slot Club. By doing so, you can accumulate points for free hotel rooms, breakfast/lunch and dinners, show tickets and more!

This was the reason why I stayed at the Flamingo. My rooms were FREE due to my participation using the Player's Club card!

The Players Club is located about 30 yards from the hotel's registration desk so there is not excuse not to join!

RESTAURANTS

• Alta Villa - If you love Italian foods, this place has great authentic Italian fare.

• Conrad's - Lovers of prime rib, lobster, steak or seafood will love this place. The prime rib very tender and not too bloody like what you would see in other Las Vegas eateries. Prices are average.

• Lindy's - This is your typical café. The food was below average and nothing to write home about. The night Lisa, Karen and I ate here, the service was awfully slow. Waiters were complaining that they did not have a break. I felt this was very unprofessional. Our food took a long time to be brought to us yet they weren't particularly difficult orders.

• Peking Market - Chinese food looked appetizing but the price appeared to be a little steep for Chinese food. The food served was your typical Chinese-American style Chinese food.

• The Flamingo Room - Although I didn't eat here on this particular trip, I have in the past. Spectacular views of the garden area can be seen from your dining table. Food (continental cuisine) was above average. Price was above average.

• Pool Grille - This snack bar is located in the garden and is open during the swimming season.

• Bugsy's Deli - Serving Deli sandwiches, the prices are very fair. Food was excellent.

• Paradise Garden Buffet - Now if you have come to Las Vegas for the buffet's, don't miss this buffet. Make sure you are hungry because you will be exposed to a wide variety of dishes. I cannot remember the prices but they are reasonable for a Vegas buffet. While you are eating, check out the flamingos, swans, koi fish and other wildlife outside!

CONCLUSION

Overall, I rate the Flamingo Hilton Hotel & Casino highly. Every employee I encountered except for the host at Lindy's, treated me very cordially. The atmosphere in the casino wasn't dark like most other casinos. Cocktail hostesses were always available with refreshing drinks.

I highly recommend the Flamingo Hilton if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas. You won’t spend nearly as much for rooms as you would with the likes of Mandalay Bay, Bellagio or MGM Grand.

TWO MODERATORS FROM BLUEHAWQ'S NEST MEET

I first met Lisa through Bluehawq's Nest (http://pub107.ezboard.com/bbluehawqsnest) where we both moderate various forums. In November 2001, Lisaw1215 (Lisa) and I planned a trip to Las Vegas. Lisa made reservations at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. I decided I was going to take advantage of the Flamingo Hotel & Casino's comp that they offered me last year. Our hotels are within walking distance of each other so it worked out great.

Starting out from California, I was very nervous about meeting a fellow Epinionator. Since I am a shy person, I was more than nervous about our meeting in Las Vegas. In the middle of the desert in Barstow, California, I stopped for lunch at Arby's and I wondered what was I doing? But I drove on.

I dropped my things off in my hotel room and called Lisa. My palms were soaked in sweat as I approached the elevators on my way up to the 12th floor. At the 12th floor, I got lost. Imperial Palace has a myriad of hallways and I went down the wrong hall. I came to the room number where I thought was Lisa's room. But the door had one of those "Do Not Disturb" signs on it! I popped out my cell phone and called Lisa's room. Lisa directed me to her room.

I nervously knocked at the door and a great looking woman answers the door! Lisa! She invited me in and introduced me to her friend, Karen, who made the trip with her. After some small talk, we decided to check out the Strip. We drove to Caesars Palace and visited the Forum Shops then ate dinner at Planet Hollywood where we unceremoniously knocked a statue of Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) over, then we went sight seeing.

We visited the Fremont Experience in Downtown and gambled at another famous casino, Binion's Horseshoe, Fremont Hotel& Casino and the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino. We also visited a hole in the wall joint that hocked their small casino. They teased us to drop some money into their machines with a chance to win $1,000. But on a good note, they had great daiquiris!
Please read Lisa's review at: http://www.epinions.com/content_54155513476


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