A Return To The Flamingo In 2009?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:44 am

We have now been at the Flamingo for the NFBC the last two years and I think we've all learned how to navigate through that wild Convention Center to the assigned rooms on Draft Day. The staff at the Flamingo has been excellent to work with and the private rooms for the auction leagues are ideal and the Sunset Ballroom is big enough to plan for future growth.

That being said, we have a contract in front of us for March 20-22, 2009 to return to the Flamingo This is obviously during March Madness and we have a good block of rooms at $189 each in the contract. Before signing the deal, I'd be interested in feedback from our members. Should we return to the Flamingo again? Can you withstand the pink rooms (if you were in the GO rooms this year)?

This is always the hardest part of the job as the hotels can be extremely difficult to work with, so I'd love to stay at the Flamingo. But I'd like to hear the feedback from our members first before signing the contract. I'm having withdrawals seeing March Madness right now and not being in Las Vegas, but a year from now we'll be back there....somewhere.

Thanks for any feedback here on this topic.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:52 am

Sign the contract, Greg!

The Flamingo was just fine. (IMO). Like you said...room for growth in that ballroom!!!

Central location, classic Vegas.

The GO rooms were nice...my only change would be to find out where the cutoff was for having that "screen/shade" outside the room windows, and get a room below or above it. I like spending time looking out the room window at night with a cocktail...and the screen kept my eyes focusing back and forth.

Nice pool area, and good vibes.

(Oh yes..forgot to metion the high value of having the sportsbook and restaurants close to the bottom of the room elevators...highly valuable.)

~Lance

[ March 20, 2008, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:54 am

Greg, I think the Flamingo is solid but wouldn't be one of my top choices. I'd call it the Michael Cuddyer of casinos; I'd much rather have Lastings Milledge, but if I can't get him I'll take Cuddyer and be content though not particularly excited.

The Rio is a great place to stay, nice play to gamble and lots of good restuarants. MGM, Mandalay, Palms, others?? I have no idea of course on availability, but these are a few places I'd rather be if room rates are comparable.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:58 am

This was my first time, but I thought the Flamingo was more than adequate.

How many rooms do you block? I tried to get in fairly early but to no avail. It worked out, but I was curious.

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:07 am

Works for me.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:11 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Greg, I think the Flamingo is solid but wouldn't be one of my top choices. I'd call it the Michael Cuddyer of casinos; I'd much rather have Lastings Milledge, but if I can't get him I'll take Cuddyer and be content though not particularly excited.

The Rio is a great place to stay, nice play to gamble and lots of good restuarants. MGM, Mandalay, Palms, others?? I have no idea of course on availability, but these are a few places I'd rather be if room rates are comparable. Given a choice, I'd be at the Rio EVERY YEAR!!! Unfortunately, I'd need to charge about a $200 food addition to every member as their food & beverage minimum three years ago went from $30,000 to $60,000. I can't imagine what it is today. MGM is even more expensive (as I'm sure Mandalay Bay is) and the Palms may not have the banquet space we need.

I think we all know what hotels are better than the Flamingo for spending time in Vegas. Heck, Caesar's across the street would be better. But we're a small show and beggars can't be choosey. We're still begging, unfortunately!!!

But as I told you on Sunday, maybe we'll have more options soon enough.

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:11 am

I think the Flamingo is great. Our room was fantastic. Middle of the strip. Sign 'em up Greg.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:12 am

Originally posted by NorCalAtlFan:

This was my first time, but I thought the Flamingo was more than adequate.

How many rooms do you block? I tried to get in fairly early but to no avail. It worked out, but I was curious. We did block fewer rooms this year because we were afraid of losing customers with the NFBC not being held during March Madness. I don't remember what the total number of rooms was, but we'll increase it for next year. Getting 154 teams in Las Vegas this year is just the start. I trust we'll get more next year, so we need to be prepared. I love it.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:19 am

Yes, please.

Also, it is not hard to get to the drafting room if you take the escalator next to Margarittaville. It comes up right next to the sunset draft room, which is a good thing or I'd have been late!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:19 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Greg, I think the Flamingo is solid but wouldn't be one of my top choices. I'd call it the Michael Cuddyer of casinos; I'd much rather have Lastings Milledge, but if I can't get him I'll take Cuddyer and be content though not particularly excited.

The Rio is a great place to stay, nice play to gamble and lots of good restuarants. MGM, Mandalay, Palms, others?? I have no idea of course on availability, but these are a few places I'd rather be if room rates are comparable. Given a choice, I'd be at the Rio EVERY YEAR!!! Unfortunately, I'd need to charge about a $200 food addition to every member as their food & beverage minimum three years ago went from $30,000 to $60,000. I can't imagine what it is today. MGM is even more expensive (as I'm sure Mandalay Bay is) and the Palms may not have the banquet space we need.

I think we all know what hotels are better than the Flamingo for spending time in Vegas. Heck, Caesar's across the street would be better. But we're a small show and beggars can't be choosey. We're still begging, unfortunately!!!

But as I told you on Sunday, maybe we'll have more options soon enough.

[/QUOTE]If Flamingo is the best bang you can get, I'm happy with it. But ... maybe keep that contract sitting on your desk for a few extra days to see if options pan out.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:27 am

Greg, Would those dates be one or two weeks from opening day of 2009?

dlongood · Post by **dlongood** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:23 am

Greg:

IMO the Flamingo is fine for our purposes. It's the cheapest (ugliest and oldest too) place on the strip. I'd be willing to go to nicer places at increased prices, but don't feel compelled to change.

Da bears · Post by **Da bears** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:32 am

I have no problems with the Flamingo.

Plus like others said its location is ideal, especially for me as I usually stay at the Mirage or Bellagio.

[ March 20, 2008, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: Da bears ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:33 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Greg, Would those dates be one or two weeks from opening day of 2009? It would still be two weeks from Opening Day. Although it's not official, Opening Day 2009 should be Sunday, April 4th. If they go back to Japan again, we'll be 10 days away from the Japan Series like this year. That wild card makes it tough to schedule the NFBC the weekend before Opening Day.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:47 am

When does Japanese Baseball plan on having its "Opening Day" on US soil?

Oh...they're smart enough to see it's a horrible and UN-PATRIOTIC thing to do, to have it's "National Pastime" celebrated on foreign soil...and even worse to repeat!

...I see.

Bud Selig is an absolute buffoon.

~Lance

[ March 20, 2008, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:47 am

BOOK IT Grego!

Really Flamingo is an excellent location (on strip but good access road; good hotels opposite both ways); and is very good for the price for the facilities.

I really doubt you will find a better choice.....until they finish all the construction and there are some vacancy issues.........

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:43 am

Flamingo worked fine for us. May bring family next year (20 Mar is wife's BDay) and turn them loose on the Vegas scene while I roto.

gigglin marlin · Post by **gigglin marlin** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:51 am

I certainly would like to see the best baseball event in the world be in a much nicer place with many amenities not offered at the Flamingo. From what I have heard it is not only the money guarantees but also that many of the newer casinos do not desire this type of group is this the case?

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:57 am

Originally posted by chris schinker:

THE ONLY 2 TIME OVERALL NFBC/NFFC CHAMPION Are you in politics Chris - 'cause that kinda stretch is usally reserved for Senators, Congressmen and Presidential candidates? :rolleyes:

gigglin marlin · Post by **gigglin marlin** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:59 am

Actually just having a little fun

I'll change it just for you K.J.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:00 am

Book it.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:08 am

Originally posted by chris schinker:

Actually just having a little fun

I'll change it just for you K.J. Don't change it on my account Chris, put the fear into your league mates if you like. I just couldn't let it go by unchecked - especially being in CAPS ...

And when NFL week 18 rolls around ... by all means!

[ March 20, 2008, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

SluggoJD · Post by **SluggoJD** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:09 am

Agreed, book it - Flamingo is just fine, close to lots of hotels, easy to get to main event through the "Strip" door by the escalator, and hopefully my lucky place as well lol

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:30 am

Originally posted by dlongood:

Greg:

IMO the Flamingo is fine for our purposes. It's the cheapest (ugliest and oldest too) place on the strip. I'd be willing to go to nicer places at increased prices, but don't feel compelled to change. I think that's ridiculously harsh. Have you been to the Imperial Palace? Have you been to Circus Circus or any of the other hotels in that area. The Flamingo doesn't have HDTV's in every bathroo, but it has a nice sports book, a great club, an excellent pool, and an ideal location. Maybe you need a theme or something, but it has all the basics most need.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:42 am

...not to mention it's one of very few casino's these days to have WINDOWS to gauge the time of day near it's gambling areas!!!

...and it is laid out in a friendly, NON-MAZE-Like manner.

Plus...kissing your hand and touching the "Bugsy" memorial in the garden area is like touching the Babe Ruth memorial plaque in Yankee Stadium!

Luck-Lucky!!!

~Lance