Hilton Grand Vacations at The Flamingo — Hotel Review Rating: 3.0 Pearls

Oyster Review Summary

Oyster Hotel Photos

Oyster undercover reporters photographed this hotel. See the hotel exactly the way we did when we stayed there. (View All Photos)

Oyster Hotel Review

Reporter: Janine Y.
Updated: August 31, 2009

 Scene

Vegas visitors tend to end up at suite hotels like the Hilton Grand Vacations Club (HGVC) because they want roomy apartments with kitchens and living rooms, and because they prefer peace and quiet to the frenetic R-rated scene at the typical hotel-casino.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Flamingo fulfills both needs, but then throws in a benefit that most other Vegas time-share hotels can't match. Its location right behind the Flamingo Hotel means that classic Vegas entertainment is never far away -- in fact, it's just a five-minute stroll through the Flamingo's flamingo-filled garden away. The hotel may have a small pool, a cramped fitness center, and no restaurant, but who cares when the Flamingo's tropical-themed pool complex, lively casino, and nine restaurants are next door? I spoke to a couple from Queens, New York, who said they've been coming back to the hotel for seven years because of its location. "Do you use the kitchen?" I asked. "Oh no," they said. "We're on vacation! Who wants to cook?"

Some families do value this option, especially guests who book for the winter. Because of this hotel's popularity with time-share owners, it can be hard to find an available room.

 Service

At HGVC properties, non-time-share guests receive the same amount of service they'd get at a regular Vegas hotel -- bell service, daily housekeeping, room service, and a concierge during the day (8 a.m. to 6 p.m) to help with needs ranging from baby-sitting to show tickets.

The staff is very friendly and accommodating. When I grumbled about my cab getting lost en route, everyone from the receptionist to the bellman apologized, noting it was a common occurrence (see "Location"). A concierge helpfully directed me to a nail salon away from the Strip that didn't charge tourist prices.

Most time-shares have an early check-out time (10 a.m.), but many -- including this one -- will extend it by an hour or two if you ask. If the hotel can't grant a late checkout, guests are still welcome to use the hotel pool and other amenities until departure.

 Location

This hotel likely didn't become the most popular Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Las Vegas for its pool or its rooms. What travelers justifiably love is the location. The hotel is directly behind the storied Flamingo and near many other Vegas landmarks: Caesars Palace and the Mirage are across the street, the Bellagio and the Venetian are short walks away.

Most Las Vegas visitors want to explore all of the big properties along the densely packed three-and-a-half-mile-long stretch of hotel-casinos known as the Strip. Cabs are easy to find at virtually any time of day or night. A generally less expensive option is the Deuce, a double-decker bus that runs up and down the strip 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and costs $3 to ride. There's also a monorail system, which stops at the Flamingo/Caesars Palace, as well as MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Hilton, and the Sahara. A single-ride ticket is $5; a one-day pass is $13. If you're traveling along the Strip with at least one other person, a cab is often the least expensive option.

Virtually every hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is a 10- to 15-minute cab ride from McCarran International Airport; the ride typically costs about $15.

When you're arriving at the HGVC, it's important to note that the hotel shares a street address with the Flamingo, even though the entrance is not the same. Unless the cab driver has taken a guest there before, chances are you'll arrive at the main Flamingo and then have to lug your bags on a 10-minute walk to the HGVC lobby. Direct your driver to take Audrey Road, which is right off of Flamingo Road. Take note that after the pools close at 10 p.m., guests must take a bridge that connects the Flamingo to the HGVC.

 Pool

The hotel has its own heated outdoor pool, but guests also have privileges at the Flamingo hotel's Flamingo Lagoon. With both pools right outside the back door, the choice comes down to what scene you're looking for.

The small rectangular main pool is good for short laps. The atmosphere is relaxed, with guests sleeping, reading, or soaking in the hot tub. The five gazebos are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis, as are the nearby barbecue grills. The pool bar was closed for the season when I was there in mid-April '09, though it was due to open soon. Even with music from the Flamingo Lagoon drifting over, this is a quiet retreat.

The Flamingo Lagoon has a fun party scene, with pop music and dance tunes blasting over the speakers and hot-pink-bikini-clad servers weaving through the clutter of lounge chairs. A waterfall and thick foliage lend the extensive pool area a festive tropical air. A series of small pools connected by waterslides flank the stairway to the enormous Lagoon Pool. Guests can also visit a secluded and seasonal adults-only pool with topless sunbathing.

The HGVC pool is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Flamingo Lagoon is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is no lifeguard at the HGVC pool, while the Flamingo has several.

 Rooms

All the rooms were renovated in 2009, and they haven't lost their new-room sheen yet. From the 27-inch flat-screen TV to the Jacuzzi, everything seems to have been barely used. The modern fixtures and colorful palette give the room a fresh feel, and the animal-towel sculpture that greeted me made me smile. It's worth asking for a room facing the pool, which gives guests a view of pink glass facade of the Flamingo at night.

Every room has a king-size bed that's plush and comfortable, with a Serta pillow-top mattress, down comforter, and four down pillows. Studios (450 square feet) come with a full-size pullout sofa, while the one-bedroom suite (a massive 831 square feet) has a queen-size pullout. An MP3 player/clock radio sits on the bedside table. Guests can watch 75 cable TV channels and current pay-per-view movies. There's also a DVD player, in case you brought your own movies or want to borrow some titles from the front desk.

All rooms come with a laptop-friendly safe and work desk. The kitchen setup varies. Suites have a wet bar with a microwave, mini-fridge, toaster, and coffeemaker (with free Starbucks packets). The one-bedroom has a fully equipped kitchen, including a dishwasher. Both come with a full set of utensils and plates.

The bathroom has a Jacuzzi and a shower. Bath products, including soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion, are La Source by Crabtree & Evelyn.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and around the hotel. Smoking rooms are available.

 Features

The free fitness center has modern Precor and StarTrac equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and several weight-training machines. No individual screens on the equipment, just two TVs with cable at the front of the room. A set of free weights and an exercise mat can be found in the back. The gym enjoys a partial view of the pool and a fair amount of sunlight. The only drawback is that the machines are packed into a tight space. A sauna and indoor whirlpool are just off the gym. Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The lobby business center has two PCs and a printer. It's free to print an airline boarding pass. All other Internet use costs $5 for 15 minutes, and must be charged to a credit card. Printing is $1 per page. If you bring a laptop, you can connect to free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel

 Family

Studio rooms come with just a king-size bed and a full-size pullout couch, so families may want to opt for the suites, which have a king bed and a queen-size pullout couch. A studio and adjacent suite can be booked as a two-bedroom suite. Cribs are free, but there are no rollaway beds.

The HGVC pool is relaxed and quiet, and guests also have access to the Flamingo pool, where pop music blasts over the speakers and twentysomethings sun themselves around buckets of beer. But the vibe is low-key enough -- and the pool big enough -- for kids to carve out a comfortable corner.

For kid-friendly food, the Desert Garden Shop & Deli has cereal, chips, fruit bars, and microwavable dishes like mac and cheese. At the Flamingo hotel, kids should like the Paradise Garden buffet and Pink Bean, which serves Nathan's Famous hot dogs.

Rooms at other HGVC properties have almost exactly the same setup, so the difference is the location. If family time is a priority, I recommend the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip. Located far north on Las Vegas Boulevard, the property is much larger and secluded, with a bigger swimming pool and more families.

 Cleanliness

The rooms, just renovated in 2009, are kept clean and tidy. The bathrooms, carpet and room fixtures are spotless. If anything was overlooked in the hotel, it's the worn hallway carpet, which doesn't look to have been part of the recent makeover.

Free daily housekeeping is available for regular, non-time-share-owning guests.

 Food

Typical of a time-share hotel, the HGVC has no true restaurants. The Desert Garden Shop and Deli sells sandwiches and salads. Stop by in the morning for a Starbucks coffee and breakfast sandwich like a ham-and-cheese croissant or English muffin with sausage and cheese. Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For a real meal, cross the gardens to the Flamingo, which has a variety of dining options.

At the Paradise Garden Buffet, massive windows and vaulted ceilings create a far more pleasant environment than the windowless confines of other Vegas buffets. Best is brunch, when guests can bask in natural light, watch the nature preserve's wildlife through the windows and sample an assortment of breakfast foods. Dinner fare is mediocre, with too much fried and bland food and not enough variety. Seek out the crustacean corner filled with king crab legs, shrimp, and crawfish. Brunch runs from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. while dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Flamingo is also home to Margaritaville, a restaurant and bar that is equal parts Florida Keys and Caribbean islands. Parrots and colorful deck chairs, jumbo margarita shakers, large screens playing Jimmy Buffett's videos, and booths shaped like boat decks cry kitsch, but in a fun way. I opted for a grilled mahi-mahi with pineapple-mango salsa on a bed of rice and vegetables. Yum! And all for under $20. The beer-steamed Peel and Eat Shrimps ($10.95) were good too. Margaritaville is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Hamada of Japan, a hot spot for business travelers out to impress clients, has been around for more than 20 years (old by Vegas standards). While the sashimi was fresh and delicious, I found the teppanyaki overpriced. The $80 seafood special was nothing great. The similar, if not better, dish at Benihana at the Las Vegas Hilton is half the price. Plus, the hibachi chef at Benihana puts on a better show, and the Zen-garden ambience beats Hamada's.

For high-quality steaks served on white tablecloths, there's Steakhouse 46. Click here for the menu, and read customer reviews on Yelp.com.

 Bottom Line

Tucked behind the storied Flamingo, this popular time-share hotel gives guests both the quiet, laid-back feel of apartment living and quick access to the high-energy entertainment of the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel has a casual, family vibe, but nothing in the way of fine dining or entertainment on the grounds.