Trip Report-Flamingo, Dining, etc.

This is my first trip report so bear with me!

Arrived Tuesday May 23 at 10:15am via SouthWest from Manchester NH. Great flight, great crew. We got picked as Honorary flight attendants and got to serve snacks. Got free drinks and lots of South West stuff . Very fun! Got bags and went to do the airport check-in for our 4 night stay at the Flamingo. Speedy process. We asked for a renovated room (was told they all were) No upgrade offered. Decided to take the shuttle to the hotel for $6pp. Showed driver our paid receipt. When we got to the hotel he asked for the receipt again and I couldn’t find it. He was getting huffy over the stupid receipt that I just showed him 15 min. prior. I finally found it and were on our way.

FLAMINGO- Honestly a lot nicer than I expected. I was a bit hesitant to stay here based on reviews. We decided on the Flamingo after we figured out it would cost us $1000 less to stay here than at the Bellagio. Our room was on the 17th floor with a view of the gardens/pool. Quick walk from the elevators. King size bed. Very comfy I have to say. Clean. As other stated bathroom was small but we didn’t care as we were never in the room. My fears were put to rest! Best part, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Worst part- Time share people attacking you day in and day out..

POOL- Great pool. Chairs do get taken early. Lots of waitress walking around for drink service. Come Friday afternoon the place was mobbed with the younger, more rowdie crowd. The islands in the pool had way too many bottles, cups, cigarette butts that the Flamingo staff should have taken care of it. There was a DJ for the “pool party” doing Tarzan impressions, who has the whitest legs, or best tan if that is what you are into.

FOOD

FLAMINGO BUFFET-We went here for breakfast at 7:00am with a $10 coupon. This was the worst food I have ever had. The also have at 7:00am salad, tacos, pasta, deserts.

TROPICAL BREEZE CAFé ( In Flamingo- Poor service, but yummy steak, blue cheese, onion sandwich)

ELLIS ISLAND- Had to check out the $5 steak dinner. Came with a big salad, steak, potato, and green beans. Very tasty. Husband had a cheeseburger that he said was great. We went back later since we had a car for the Karaoke that we were told was one of the best in town. Were there 5 min…. scary karaoke there and the smoke was about to kill me!

N9NE STEAKHOUSE- This is in the Palms. After I had my big Ellis Island dinner I only had room for Onion soup and Tomato/Mozz. Salad. This was the best onion soup I have ever had in my life. Salad great too. Husband had crab legs that were great. We decided on the campfire smores. Fun toasting a marshmallow at your table. Only complaint was that they didn’t use a chocolate bar, it was squeeze chocolate. After dinner checked out the Palms and recognized some of the people in Hart and Huntington from the show INKED.

AUGUSTUS CAFé-In Caesars palace- great lunch, but ended up more expensive than I thought.

PARIS BUFFET- Went for breakfast- LOVED IT

BELLAGIO LUNCH BUFFET- We were shocked when we were told our total was $62 for the two of us.. it was Memorial day “special” brunch…well, let me tell you it wasn’t special.. Wasn’t impressed in the least for that price..

MON AMI GABI-Ate dinner here on the porch. Very lovely view of the fountains.. but it was too hot to be out there. Enjoyed our meals.

REAGALE-In Excaliber. Ate here before Carrot Top. Very good, and reasonably priced Italian.

TONY ROMAS= On Freemont Street. I had the ribs that were great. Husband cheeseburger that he said was dry. Horrible atmosphere and not worth the money in my opinion. Wouldn’t go back.

NIGHTLIFE, ACTIVITES

HOOVER DAM-Rented a car for $29 with tax from Budget in the hotel. 40 min ride. Paid for the tour. I thought it was a complete waste of money. Only good part was the view from the observation deck that is included in your fee.

CARROT TOP- We had front row center seats. Opening comedian fantastic. Carrot Top was hilarious. I saw him years ago when he first was up and coming in Boston. He was so funny I was crying. Got to shake hands with him at the end. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

FREEMONT STREET- Paid $20 each way and was not impressed. Maybe it was the light show that we got that was Cyndi Lauper’s girls just want to have fun. Was hoping for the American show that people talk about. Glad that I did it one time.. wouldn’t waste a cab fare back there again.

BIG ELVIS AT BARBARY COAST- Enjoyed this show. Hubby and I got picked to go on stage with him. I had to shake the maracas, hubby had to put on an Elvis wig, glasses, and play a blow up guitar to Viva Las Vegas. Poor Elvis is so big that he can’t even stand up for the show. Great voice and fun show. Got a certificate saying we participated in the show.

Best drink service was at the Paris.. couldn’t believe how many strollers were out and about on the strip at 11:00 at night.

VH1 rock honors was going on while we were there. We were in Mandalay Bay to catch a cab and my husband said so mellow.. “I think that guy looked like Joe Elliot (Def Leppard)..Not giving it much thought since he always thinks he saw someone.. I had a delayed reaction when I realized that the next night was Rock Honors at Mandalay Bay that it was probably him! By this point it was too late to go running after him. Hubby said that he is 99.9% positive was him. This was a guy that I worshiped starting when I was 13 years old and had a Def Leppard pin on my Jean Jacket (okay, am I dating myself now!) Oh WELL!! I’m sure that I forgot a whole lot but these were the highlights. Please ask any questions. I appreciated all that helped me before my trip.

Trip Report-Flamingo, Dining, etc.

Tulip,

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.

I am getting excited to go in July; already made up my mind we must include Big Elvis! Thanks for the details.

I%26#39;ve seen Carrot Top before too and he is a riot! We are staying at Luxor so may go see him again if we can get discount tickets. Did you get yours at the half price booth?

I%26#39;ve heard a lot of good things about Paris breakfast buffet and since I love crepes may have to check it out. Did you go to NYNY at all? We%26#39;re thinking of going to Coyote Ugly and maybe 9FIne Irishmen and Dueling Pianos. Also want to go to Harrah%26#39;s to some of the lounges there and maybe see the piano twins.

Did you do any shopping? Would like to find some nice souvenirs to bring home to the kids; t-shirts and the like.

Did you play any slots? if so where were your favorites?

Welcome back!!

Starz

Trip Report-Flamingo, Dining, etc.

Tulip, that was a great trip report! Very informative!! We are also leaving from Manchester NH via Southwest next Tuesday and was happy to hear the flight was so much fun! And we%26#39;re staying at the Flamingo as well!!

Did you only have the breakfast buffet at the Flamingo. I personally do find breakfast buffets to be not as good as the lunch and dinner ones. Did you happen to eat there for dinner as well? I%26#39;m looking forward to having a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Margaritaville!!

So did you do any gambling? Did you win anything? Thanks for a great report!

Starz and gailzy- thanks for the kind words about my report!

We did not get our tickets to Carrot Top at the 1/2 price booth. It was the one show that we were going to see so we played it safe and paid full price.

About NYNY- Hubby rode the roller coaster. We didn%26#39;t hang out here this trip. When we went last time, we checked out Coyote Ugly (it just was amusing to see some scary chicks on the bar dancing) We also enjoyed hanging out at the Red apple bar. Great band was playing.

Shopping- We did most of our shopping this trip right in the hotel for our kids. Last time there was a huge Tacky store near the Stratosphere that had cheap souveniers, but I wouldn%26#39;t go out of my way to go there. I did splurge on some MAC cosmetics for myself in the Forum Shops and did get the kiddos some stuff at FAO Schwarz.. so much for my Chanel Sunglasses that I wanted! It always goes to the kids! Oh, Did hit the Hello Kitty store in the Fashion show Mall for my daughter.

Slots- Played all around... most I won was $10.. my fav is the I dream of Genie.. also liked some other Gem one that was fun!

Galizy- I didn%26#39;t go back to the Flamingo buffet at night because we were so grossed out from the breakfast buffet. We really ejoyed the Paris breakfast buffet, and last time we ate at the Mandalay Bay breakfast and it was great. We didn%26#39;t eat at margaritaville but we did quickly go inside and it was packed and looked like a fun time. Have fun at the Flamingo! You will love the location!

I forgot to mention that we also went over to the Rio to go to the VooDoo Lounge- Had to pay a $20 cover pp, but the view up there was incredible!

tuliplvr just to let you know Def Leppard is going to be in vegas for a concert in August .I%26#39;m also a big fan so i guess i%26#39;m dating myself now.

Very well written report!

Thanks Tipsie for the replies!

Very helpful!

I loved Margaritaville in Key West and Cancun; would like to go into the LV one if not too packed. Did you peek in on a weekend or weekday? Just wonder if it%26#39;s less busy in midweek.

Starz

Great trip report! Bellagio%26#39;s buffet is great for breakfast. 12.99 or 13.99. We stay at the Flamingo and walk 5 minutes over to Bellagio in the morning. Glad to hear Paris buffet was good. They have been getting some bad reviews around here lately.

Tipsie, Do you remember how much the Paris breakfast buffet cost?

Thanks; Starz

Starz- The Paris breakfast buffet was $12.95/pp. We went to margaritaville on a Wednesday night and it was packed!

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