~~~~~I have updated this review by adding contact details~~~~~
We have been to the Flamingo Oasis Hotel in Benidorm, three times - January 2004, then again in December 2004 and most recently January 2006.
You've probably realised by now that this will be a favourable review of this hotel. So...
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On arrival the the hotel looks like any other high rise hotel in Benidorm except that there is an illuminated Flamingo on the exterior of the building, above the entrance doors, this pink bird is almost the height of the hotel and when lit up at night is strikingly PINK!
In through the impressive circular doorway and you enter a lobby of wonderful proportions and mostly of marble with some wood, also you get your first glimse of the oasis - this is really hard to describe and I would suggest you visit the hotel's website - www.www.flamingooasis.com - and flick through the pictures.
On to reception and the check in is reasonably quick and easy. The friendly multi lingual reception staff are really efficient, each guest has their photograph taken by a digital camera linked to a PC which then churns out your 'all inclusive' ID card complete with photo. For a small charge you can rent the key for the in room safe. You are given directions to a bank of elevators (lifts to you and I) which whizz you to your room floor.
The rooms are really spacious, there are two extra large single beds and two sofas
(which will convert to single beds), bedside tables, one with a phone, dressing table, tv (with six English speaking channels, including BBC1), luggage storage area and the equivalent of four single wardrobes behind mirrored doors and still plenty of room to swing the proverbial cat! There are sliding glass doors on to the balcony which is furnished with a table and four chairs - we have stayed on floors 9, 12 and 22 and on all occasions we were able to view the sea through other buildings. Each room has individually controlled air conditioning/central heating.
The en suite bathrooms are also large and very well equipped - a slightly sunken bath with power shower and glass screen (no awkward climb into the bath and there's no curtain to wrap itself around your legs), wc, bidet and a marble vanity unit with twin wash basins. There is an electric shaver point and a hairdryer here and they supply and replenish sachets of shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath along with the usual wrapped slivers of soap. Also lovely fluffy towels changed daily if you wish.
Right then ... lets explore the hotel...
As you enter the hotel on the left is the large Veranda Bar, with wicker style lounge chairs and tables - masses of them - this serves all types of drinks including teas and coffees, you can have table service if you want or you can be served at the bar. There are doors leading onto an outside terrace with a couple of pool tables and from here you can access the mini golf area and also the tennis courts.
Just beyond the Veranda Bar there is a large curved marble staircase down one level to the Restaurant, the Disco Flamingo Fiesta (family style entertainment is on here nightly), the gym and the massage centre. There are doors to the ground level large outside pool which has plenty of sun loungers and a poolside bar (this bar is only open in the summer months).
Right, now we'll use the glass sided lift to go back to lobby level - this deposits us facing reception, we'll take a left, a short stroll and on our left are some comfortable chairs and sofas with a large screen tv all ready for viewing the films which are screened daily. On our right is the hotel gift shop and the hairdressing salon.
Another short stroll and to the right is the internet cafe - if I remember correct it was one euro for 30 minutes and on the left are a few card tables and chairs.
Stroll a little further on and on the right down a wide passage are the seven very large elevators, but we won't go there yet we'll go straight ahead and into the large Adult only Piano Bar, this is only open in the evenings and serves all drinks, teas and coffees. Most evenings there is live music here.
Let's head for the lift now and we'll go up to the top floor (25) and the Sky Line pool and bar - this is an adult only area - here there is a very small pool but a very large sunbathing area with loungers. A small bar again serving drinks, teas and coffees. This area is enclosed by high glass screens and the views on all sides are magnificent.
All the advertising for this hotel says that there are two buffet restaurants, in reality it is one large area which is only dividend by decor, but this does not detract from the quality of food on offer. All meals have an excellent selection of foods, much too varied to even start to describe, suffice to say that most mornings amongst the breakfast menu there is usually caviar and champagne.
If you are going out for the day you can order a packed lunch (we found that one packed lunch contained far too much food for two people).Between the hours of 8am and midnight the restaurant is only closed for three half hour breaks! The staff in the restaurant are helpful and friendly.
The all inclusive drinks package is really good value - internationally branded spirits are available for a VERY small extra charge, draught beer and cider are available and wine and champage (okay it's only local champage, but quite palatable) are available by the bottle, at the bars and in the restaurant. The all inclusive drinks finish at midnight but the bars are open later than this and drinks can be bought after this time.
There is a daytime and night time entertainment programme for adults and children, this is displayed on a notice board adjacent to the Piano Bar.
There is a Laundry service - reception staff will advise on this. There is a money exchange facility at the Reception Desk.
The hotel caters really well for wheelchair users - there is actually an area in the lobby for recharging the batteries of electric wheelchairs.
It is advisable to carry your all inclusive ID card with you at all times, as it may be requested before being served at the bars or in the restaurant.
Service in all the bars is extremely quick and efficient and the staff are chatty and friendly.
All the areas of the hotel that we visited were extremely clean and tidy.
There are lots of bars and restaurants in the immediate vacinity, a ten minute stroll takes you to the Levante beach and also to bar street.
The Benidorm Palace is a two/three minute stroll away.
If you are considering a WINTER holiday in Benidorm I would recommend you give this hotel a try - I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I was having a look on this hotel's web site, as it's just a week until we revisit it, when I realised that I had never actually given contact details for the hotel, so.......
The web site has been recently updated and gives a really great virtual tour of the hotel - pop over and have a look!!
N.B. Since the introduction of very strict No Smoking legislation in Spain, there appear to be two designated smoking sections in the public areas of this hotel. All other public areas are non smoking.
Pauline. 2005/2006/2007
Pictures of Hotel Flamingo Oasis, Benidorm
Hotel Flamingo Oasis
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Never a location that appeals but your review challenges that view strongly at least in terms of good accommodation. Thanks
qwerty30 11.10.2007 22:00
Very helpful review, and lovely pictures
FlameDruid 20.09.2007 15:07
That's a surprise seeing the Flamingo again! My family stayed there a few years ago. I thought the inside was very impressive with the rocks and glass lift, shiny marble floors, etc. I really enjoyed the piano lounge a lot. Also the inclusive drinks and excellent meals. My son soon got the hang of ordering pop and cakes when he found he didn't need to pay. There was a lot of construction work going on in nearby buildings when we went but that was a few years ago. You've taken me back to a pleasant holiday. Thanks!
Advantages: Excellent rooms, service, food, entertainment Disadvantages: Communication could have been better and too many machines requiring euros that kids bugged us for.
Advantages: Excellent rooms, service, food, entertainment Disadvantages: Communication could have been better and too many machines requiring euros that kids bugged us for.
Jul 26th, 2005
(Apr 22nd, 2007)
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (93%):
helpful by (3%):
