Any HGVC Flamingo Owners

[fgauer]

Hi,

I'm thinking about taking the plunge into the TS world by purchasing a two bedroom resale at the HGVC Flamingo. I've been a member of this board for a couple of months and been doing my research, so I am basing my intent on the following reasonings:

#1) I simply want to go to Vegas every year. I live within a day's drive (long day - Denver CO) and I really want to go at least once a year to soak up what Vegas has to offer.
#2) I'm not really too much interested in trading with this first TS - Vegas is where I want to go and I really want to USE this TS instead of trade it.

Researching I found resales here to be plentiful and quite reasonable. I was hoping that if some HGVC Flamingo owners were on that they could give me some input on the following items:

#1) Is the pool there adequate for kids - if we just want to hang out as a resort style vacation (i.e. kids are 10+ - not small but not old).
#2) I'm sure there is plenty there to do that's not gambling, however our kids are growing older and I want my wife and I to have a decadent destination every year for ourselves. Would this resort be a good choice?
#3) Any other advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your comments and opinions. I really appreciate it!

 

[SallyMagoo]

Hi,

I'm thinking about taking the plunge into the TS world by purchasing a two bedroom resale at the HGVC Flamingo. I've been a member of this board for a couple of months and been doing my research, so I am basing my intent on the following reasonings:

#1) I simply want to go to Vegas every year. I live within a day's drive (long day - Denver CO) and I really want to go at least once a year to soak up what Vegas has to offer.
#2) I'm not really too much interested in trading with this first TS - Vegas is where I want to go and I really want to USE this TS instead of trade it.

Researching I found resales here to be plentiful and quite reasonable. I was hoping that if some HGVC Flamingo owners were on that they could give me some input on the following items:

#1) Is the pool there adequate for kids - if we just want to hang out as a resort style vacation (i.e. kids are 10+ - not small but not old).
#2) I'm sure there is plenty there to do that's not gambling, however our kids are growing older and I want my wife and I to have a decadent destination every year for ourselves. Would this resort be a good choice?
#3) Any other advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your comments and opinions. I really appreciate it!

I'm sure you'll get some other replies, but I'll give this a try. We own at the HGVC Flamingo, and like you, we thought it was a good location from Denver as we can drive there.

We have stayed there twice with our daughter who is now 15.

#1) The pool is great for kids -- you have two choices: to use the huge Flamingo Hotel pool just outside the timeshare grounds or the timeshare pool which is smaller. The Flamingo pool is huge and very packed in the summer. It is very hot in the summer and everyone congregates around that pool. If you want a chair, I think you have to get out there early. There are slides and other features-I think it's lots of fun for kids. There are also happy hours for the adults; it's a fun place to be; if you want something quieter, then you can always use the timeshare pool, which also has hot-tubs. I have not heard anything to suggest that the Flamingo hotel pool won't always be open to the timeshare owners, but there's always the possibility they could stop the ts owners use since Hilton isn't affiliated with the Flamingo hotel anymore.

#2) There is lots for kids to do besides gambling: they can go to many of the shows (although some of them are very expensive such as the Cirque du Soleils at about $150 per seat), there are roller coasters (Sahara and New York New York); Circus Circus (an indoor amusement park), visiting the M&M shop, the Hard Rock Cafe, the MGM Grand with the lions, the Startrek exhibit, the Bellagio fountains, and I'm sure many other activities as well as side trips from Vegas.

#3) My only comment would be that the kids might run out of things they want to do after a year or two. My husband and I find that we enjoy going to Vegas by ourselves more now since it is hard to gamble when you have kids with you. They are only allowed to make quick walks through the casinos, and if the kids linger, you will be asked to move on. If they are old enough to spend time by themselves, then you could spend some time in casinos while the kids do something else, or spot your spouse for gambling time.

We enjoy the flexibility of HGVC in that we can trade our points for other locations, as well find time in Las Vegas using either points or open season for only a few days vs. being locked into a whole week. However, if you do get into trading for other locations, there will be increased fees. You might also consider that you will have access to Valdoro Lodge in Breckenridge through Hilton points, and you might enjoy going up there for some short stays. I have found that its hard to reserve the weekends during ski season though since the Valdoro owners get the first crack at the prime weeks and weekends.

Flamingo is the most popular HGVC timeshare in Vegas; I like the location because it's on a Monorail stop and near other casinos. I think it's the best choice for purchasing a resale in Vegas.

 

[i39249]

Can't go wrong with Flamingo. What ever you do, buy resale and buy at the cheapest price for either of the 3 HGVC properties in Vegas. With HGVC, it pretty easy to book whatever Florida or Nevada HGVC resort you want. NEVADA's MF's are a lot cheaper than Florida or Hawaii.

Kids love Vegas. With a car, you can go to many places. The Ethel M choclate factory, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and many others.

 

[Bill4728]

If you're thinking about buying any HGVC resort be sure to read the HGVC advice article here on the TUG advice page.

Here is a link

 

[derb]

Being that you will be driving and will have a car in Vegas, I prefer the HGVC at the Las Vegas Hilton. The parking there is very convienent, in and out to Paradise road is right there and the furnishings are probably a tad better than Flamingo. Without a car, Flamingo wins hands down.

 

[Maverick1963]

Vegas wins over tax.

I am an ower of Flamingo. Three years ago, I had possibilities of buying a resale of Orlando or Vegas. Now Orlando properties costs you more for ownership than Vegas' because of the difference in tax on a second home, and insurance. Flamingo has the longest history among the three in Vegas. So I assume that it has the most stable operation. That's an important point I was never aware of before purchase. I have not yet visited Flamingo but I am really satisfied with HGVC.

 

[StuckinChicago]

Hi fgauer!

As already stated, the Flamingo location wins hands down for location!! It is literally right in the middle of the strip. From the front desk, it is roughly a 5 minute walk out to the sidewalk on the Strip. (When we stayed at Bally's a few years back, it took us almost 25 minutes to get from our room out to the sidewalk - CRAZY!!) I would be hard pressed to find a better TS location in Vegas. It is right in the middle of the monorial as well which is a huge bonus. Yes, the rooms are a little bit outdated, but certainly nothing bad. I'd stay there in a heartbeat. They are getting a refurb soon anyway. You definitely do not need a car at this location.

For sheer beauty and elegance, then the Strip location wins. It is truly stunning! But it FAR north on the Strip and you must have a car to get to any other decent casinos. If you want to drive on Las Vegas Blvd., then more power to you. I certainly would never do it, but that's just me. The traffic situation there has become out of control. If you are doing day trips to Hoover Dam and places like that, or want to just relax and not gamble much, then this location would be good. Once the northern end of the Strip becomes more developed, then this property will be hard to beat.

Then you have the little Karen property, which is quite lovely and small, and is a few blocks east of the Strip right next door to the Convention Center and the Hilton hotel. This one is on the monorail, which helps alot, as far as being able to easily get to where the action is.

Just recently I was in Vegas and saw all 3 of these properties up close and personal. I wrote a mini-review of each 3 after I returned, so you can probably search for that thread. But in short:

If you want action and location, Flamingo is the BEST! If that was booked I would stay at the Karen location, just to have the advantage of the Monorial. As of right now, I wouldn't stay at the Strip property since it is too far North and I don't like having a car in Vegas.

But like the other people have stated, it doesn't matter exactly where you own since your HGVC points will get you to any of the three. Just go for the package that has the best MFs. Since the Flaminog does not have ROFR, you may be able to find a better deal if you can find someone that just wants to quickly get rid of it.