IP vs Flamingo

I'm planning a trip to Vegas for late April. Looking specifically at the Flamingo and Imperial Palace, I can get rates of $240 and $150 respectively for 5 nights. I've stayed at IP and it's acceptable though not particularly enjoyable.

Here's the question: is it worth paying an extra $90 for the Flamingo?

Location is not an issue as they are next to each other. The pool is not an issue, either. I know the Flamingo has a very nice pool, while the IP's is more like a rectangle more or less suitable for swimming. I don't usually take time to swim or lie by the pool anyway.

Pretty much that leaves the rooms. Everything else is equally accessible at both locations (buffets, restaurants, shops, casinos, etc.) They're both Harrah's properties, so there's no problem about player cards.

Any advice will be most appreciated.

Thanks

Though I haven't stayed in either, I know people who have. To a man, they would choose the Flamingo over the IP.

I'm surprised that either are that expensive. Are you going during Spring Break?

I stayed at Flamingo about 4 years ago. I was very unimpressed with the casino, hotel, entertainment AND pool.

The MOST dissapointing thing was the Bugsy Seagal Monument. They have (or had?) a thing about it on the website. Made it sound like a Don't Miss attraction. The dang thing is tucked away behind some trees in the pool area. And it's really nothing to brag about. Just a bust of Bugsy with a plaque detailing some of his history.


And don't get too excited about Strip Poker next door at O'Sheas (another Harrahs property). O'Sheas is the only casino to have a poker table adjacent to the sidewalk on the LV Strip. 'Strip' Poker. Get it?


This past September I stayed at Sahara. Although I gave that rotten marks too, it was only $26 per night.

I assume this is the rate for 5 total days, and not a nightly rate? Both of these hotels are pretty much budget conscious, and if that is your goal, I would suggest keeping the lower rate and saving the remaining $90 for the tables. Maybe place one big $90 bet at one point and pay for half your stay with what would have been a sure loss on the room price anyway.

If this IS a nightly rate, then I can suggest much nicer places for those rates.

Quote: MrPapagiorgio

I assume this is the rate for 5 total days, and not a nightly rate?

Oh, oops. My bad:

Quote: Nareed

I can get rates of $240 and $150 respectively for 5 nights.

Then it's not so bad.

For what its worth,

If you stay at Imperial Palace, you can use the Flamingo's pool when you bring your room key. The regular rooms at the IP aren't bad, but if that price difference is for a capri room, I would go for Flamingo.

I've stayed at the Flamingo 2-3 times. Rooms are clean though not cutting-edge modern. Speed of check-in was decent both times. First time something was messed up and they accomadated us with a better room the forst 1-2 nights. The casino is nothing special and the buffet is barely average. In fact, for breakfast skip it and go down to Harrah's, it is better and about the same price.

I stay at Flamingo because it is a good value, good location, and I like the "right on the strip" entrance to the casino. I don't play there, though, as the rules are only fair.

Verdict: take the cheaper place and with the $90 go to the buffet at Bellagio.

Quote: AZDuffman

Verdict: take the cheaper place and with the $90 go to Tony Roma's three times.

I've corrected the above sentence for you.

Quote: MrPapagiorgio

I assume this is the rate for 5 total days, and not a nightly rate?

Sorry about that. Yes, that's the rate for 5 nights, tax included (I'm sure it doesn't include all sorts of other fees). The IP rate is for a regular tower room. Capri's a bit more than that.

Quote: MrPapagiorgio

If this IS a nightly rate, then I can suggest much nicer places for those rates.

If I'd quoted nightly rates for those places, I'd expect to be recommended to a nice, large building with padded walls ;)

Thanks for all the replies.

I know O'Shea's from previous visits (Bill's Gambling hall, too). There are way better places even in other Harrah's properties. Speaking of which, I do visit the Flamingo every time, but I dond't think I've ever gambled there.

I found the Bugsy memorial entirely by accident while wandering about the bird and fish exhibit at the back of the hotel. the exhibit is rather good. The memorial is nice, but I uderstand how you'd be disappointed if you expected more.

I have stayed at Flamingo, and I would consider Flamingo, Harrah's or Golden Nugget before booking IP. Don't stay at IP!!!

I've stayed at both IP and Flamingo each a few times, and although the rooms are not too different (unless you get a GO room), I would still stay at the Flamingo. The IP is a frustrating casino. First of all, most the time, some of the elevators aren't always working and the ones that do are slow, so there is always a long wait and many stops becasue they are filled. Secondly, IMO, I find it easier to step out of the casino and be right on the strip, and if you use the public bus system(the Duece), I think there is a bus stop right out the exit.

Quote: FinsRule

I have stayed at Flamingo, and I would consider Flamingo, Harrah's or Golden Nugget before booking IP. Don't stay at IP!!!

Far be it from me not to take a Dolphins fan seriously. Howver, I've stayed at IP and it was ok. I got a room near to the closest bank of elevators (the ice machine was far, though); the room was clean; the toilet, shower and sink all worked well; there was enough light in the room and bathroom; the TV is crappy, but I don't watch TV on vacation; The bed was too soft, but after walking a normal Vegas day worth of miles, I still fell asleep almost at once; the AC worked well.

There was no view at all, true. I think I looked out on the rest of the hotel and some auxiliary structures on the casino roof. I got charged for every phone call (just three back home with a phone card, so I got a local call charge; plus one call to the shuttle company), but I can always use a public phone next time. The buffet is mediocre, but fair enough for breakfast (live omelette station).

All in all the IP's a safe place to spend the night, which is all I need. I'd like an in-room safe and a coffee maker, but that seems rare in vgeas for some reason. Oh, the safe deposit box is in the casino cage, with very little waiting time. Last trip I also took a few naps in the afternoon. The IP's good for that, too.

So I think I'll take the cheaper place and either 1) make a $90 bet on something (probably a don't pass on craps), 2) go to a nice buffet, or 3) use it to defry the airplane ticket price.

Thanks to all.

I forgot to add: I gamble where it's most advantageous or convenient. Last stay at IP I didn't think I gambled much there because the casino is too noisy, esp. near the "Dealtertainer" pit. Maybe I spent a total of $20 on a few slots.

This time I'm more expereinced and better understand gambling. I'll probably try craps at either the Stratosphere (10X odds) or Casino Royale (up to 100X odds on bets => $5). As for VP and BJ suggestions are welcome. That's about it. I'll play slots a little bit for fun (hey those video slots are fun) and maybe I'll try roulette for variety (I'm not that interested in it, but then I didn't know I liked VP until I played it).

I like the Paris casino for the decor, so I spend some money there, too. And I check the more upscale places for newer machines and such.

Anwyay, the quality of the casino at the hotel I'm staying is way secondary to the room rate and location.

The Dolphins are going to be a force for the next few years.

I like gambling, but I hate losing money, so I like to lose my money as slow as possible. So I play a lot of Pai Gow Poker, do a lot of sports gambling, and some low stakes poker. I think those are probably the three activities that usually will take your money slowest.

I still say for 5 nights, it's worth $18 extra a night to stay at Harrahs/Flamingo, IP has a strange layout and I always feel trapped when I'm in there.

But good luck to you in April, I'll be flying in on May 1.

Quote: FinsRule

The Dolphins are going to be a force for the next few years.

I hope so. I'm a die-hard Steelers' fan, but I like the Dolphins best after that. Don Shula is among my top five all time coaches (well, at least Super Bowl era coaches). The one football game I ever attended was a Miami vs Seattle playoff at the Orange Bowl in 83 or 84. The Fins won.

Quote: FinsRule

I still say for 5 nights, it's worth $18 extra a night to stay at Harrahs/Flamingo, IP has a strange layout and I always feel trapped when I'm in there.

But good luck to you in April, I'll be flying in on May 1.

I haven't made up my mind yet. I'll consider your suggestions. Curiosly the Harrah's offers the same rate as Flamingo, but Harrah's always seems to have a crowded casino. Besides the Deuce stops nearer Flamingo and IP.

Good luck to you, too.

When Harrah's bought the IP in 2005 they immediately announced that they bought it as a tear-down. In the intermediate years they decided that they couldn't duplicate MGM's policy of imploding old casinos, and instead favored milking the properties. They have become the slumlords of casino owners.
Most of these rooms have not been remodeled in decades. Since there is a sizeable number of visitors in Vegas who only want their hotel to be safe, reasonably clean, the beds tolerable, the casino conveniently located, and above all the rates should be cheap the IP is proving to be a money-maker. Harrah's has abandoned all plans of a tear-down.

Having crunched all the numbers and taken all factors into consideration, I've decided for IP. A good thing, too, since my TV quit working today and I've no idea what the cost of repair/replacement may be. I can use the extra $90 to defray some of that.

Curious thing: I bought my current TV in May 2008 just after I returned from Vegas. I got it becuase my old one died just before I left for Vegas. This year the new TV dies when I'm planning the trip to Vegas. Obviously I should either quit going to Vgeas or buy TV insurance ;)

Seriously, I got a most interesting fligth schedule, too: MEX to PHX to LAS on the way out. LAS to LAX to Toluca coming back. This allows me the maximmum time in Vegas.

Quote: Nareed

Seriously, I got a most interesting fligth schedule, too: MEX to PHX to LAS on the way out. LAS to LAX to Toluca coming back. This allows me the maximmum time in Vegas.

Is that Mexicana, Aeromexico, US Airways, or some other airline? Nice way to maximize your FF miles.

Quote: teddys

Quote: Nareed

Seriously, I got a most interesting fligth schedule, too: MEX to PHX to LAS on the way out. LAS to LAX to Toluca coming back. This allows me the maximmum time in Vegas.

Is that Mexicana, Aeromexico, US Airways, or some other airline? Nice way to maximize your FF miles.

US Airways on the way out. US Airways and Volaris on the way back.

Mexicana has a great schedule, non-stop, arriving to LAS at 9:15 am and departing to MEX non-stop at 7pm, but the price went way up. Aeromexico caters to the weekend market. I'm a weekday traveler.

Quote: FinsRule

I have stayed at Flamingo, and I would consider Flamingo, Harrah's or Golden Nugget before booking IP. Don't stay at IP!!!

After further review, I may just do that.

The good and bad thing about planning a trip in advance is that prices change in the meantime (the bad thing is flight schedules also move around). So the latest contenders are:

Harrah's/Bally's both at aroud $230 for 5 nights.
IP at about $150
Flamingo at about $240

Plus I managed to retire some debt sooner than expected, thanks to an unexpected bonus at work. So I have a bit more spending money. Meaning I'm discarding IP for greener, one hopes, pastures.

Location isn't an issue, as all these hotels are in the same stretch of strip. Going on word of mouth and my own visits to these places (though not to the rooms), the Flamingo seems best, and the price diference now doesn't loom so large. I like the Bally's style (futuristic 1970s look), but the walk out of the place is long.

So it comes down to three questions:

1) Which has the best breakfast buffet (including time waiting in line)
2) Which offers in room coffee maker
3) Which offers in-room safe

That will determine where I stay.

I considered the Startosphere for the price, but the location is pretty bad.

I got an email from Total Rewards this morning. Amongst the other stuff it talks about are room rates in Vegas:

Quote:

Choose midweek nights at Paris Las Vegas for $117, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for $67 or Bally’s Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas or Harrah’s Las Vegas for $47. At Imperial Palace Las Vegas, weeknights are $27 and weekends are $57.

Just thought I'd share the info.

i've stayed at all the harrahs properties in vegas except for imperial palace, but between flamingo, harrahs, and ballys i would suggest ballys. comparing standard rooms, ballys rooms are larger than flamingo and harrahs. actually rio's rooms are larger but you wouldn't be on the strip. the north tower rooms at ballys are also the upgraded ones if you have a choice between the north and south towers. it would also be a nice indoor walk to paris from ballys so you can stay out of the cold.

the hash house has also opened at imperial palace, but you might want to try ellis island behind ballys for food. i'll be checking them out next trip.


good luck

Quote: inap

i've stayed at all the harrahs properties in vegas except for imperial palace, but between flamingo, harrahs, and ballys i would suggest ballys. comparing standard rooms, ballys rooms are larger than flamingo and harrahs. actually rio's rooms are larger but you wouldn't be on the strip. the north tower rooms at ballys are also the upgraded ones if you have a choice between the north and south towers. it would also be a nice indoor walk to paris from ballys so you can stay out of the cold.

the hash house has also opened at imperial palace, but you might want to try ellis island behind ballys for food. i'll be checking them out next trip.


good luck

Thanks.

I must admit to a bit of a surprise. I've been checking trip advisor and other sites, and Bally's south tower rooms get the most negatives. of course, I'm aware trip reviews tend to be negative (that is, poeple will more often bother to write in order to complain). I don't go on opinion alone, but take facts stated, if any, into account. I mean, those who complain they don't get Wynn quality rooms at Bally's obviously should be ignored. But I still dind't expect a recomendation for Bally's.

Again, thank you.

I've done the indoor trip from Bally's to Paris. It's interesting. Only it was to stay out of the heat (May 08 and 09) :) I expect things to be warm by late April, anyway. The indoor walk from Caesars' to the Forum Shops is also nice. You'd think the fake blue-sky ceiling would get old quick, but it doesn't.

Rio does seem very nice and, for what they offer, reasonably priced. But still above my range and, as you say, not on the strip. I've taken the shuttle to/from Paris and it's ok, except for the wait (I wonder, too, how long the free shuttles will remain free).

I may try the oft-discussed $20 bill trick on Bally's, though.

The $20 trick at Ballys (actually I think we might have used $40) worked a couple of years ago. We were upgraded from a basic room to a double room with a sunk in bathtub in the middle and two bathrooms overlooking the Paris on a low floor.