Flamingo Beach Resort

We booked a privately owned bungalow at Playa Flamingo under the mistaken impression that this would have a better standard of accomodation than one booked as part of a package. Please see below the letter of complaint that I sent to the owners and to which I have not received the courtesy of a reply. "Unfortunately I am writing to advise you how disappointed Dave and I were with the bungalow in Playa Flamingo. You will no doubt be aware that we did speak to Chris and her husband from White Winds, so they were aware of our feelings and assisted us far as they were able to during our stay. I understand from them that this was due to a previous (mis)management company and that the property is due for a full refurbishment - what a shame for us that our holiday was prior to this taking place. On the positive side we thought the bungalow was spacious, the terrace was quite large and we appreciated the washing machine. We were also pleasantly surprised to find an iron, ironing board, toaster and kettle which aren't always available in holiday lets. We were also impressed with size of the bathroom and shower. The decor in this one room actually provided a contrast to the rest of the accomodation and was more of the level we had expected. First of all, we found the apartment to be generally very shabby and poorly maintained - certainly not what we expected from a privately owned property. On arrival we were hardly able to open the door as it was badly warped and the window frames gave a poor initial impression as they were flaking and dirty. The terrace furniture was disgustingly dirty and I would suggest that this should just be thrown away and replaced. In addition there was only one sun lounger, which was inadequate for such a large accomodation. Four of the internal lights were not working (the bulbs were replaced once we advised Chris) when we arrived but also a couple of the light fittings were missing, which looked awful. The soft furnishings throughout were shabby, tired and dated - especially the coverings on the sofa's which were mismatched and had foam poking out. The kitchen utensils, cutlery and crockery were equally old, mismatched and looked very unhygenic. We were inundated with insects especially ants and even a couple of cockroaches, despite keeping all food in the fridge and emptying the bins frequently. Apart from all of these issues, which I am sure you will be rectifying with the refurbishment of the apartment, we were also disappointed to note several inaccuracies in your descriptions of the accomodation and surrounding area. Some of the information has been changed on the website since we made our booking, which leads me to imagine that others have made similar complaints, notably :- There was no microwave There was no bath The single beds which could form a double (suggesting they zipped together) were just pushed together - this was not acceptable and ruined our romantic holiday. They were also very hard and uncomfortable. The plants on the terrace had been cut back since the picture on your website revealing that the view from the terrace was actually of the back of another bungalow, not the beach. Your description said that the view was of Playa Flamingo Beach, which it was not. If I stood up I could glimpse the sea, but definitely not the beach itself. You described the bungalow as being in a quiet location, when I have rarely seen a busier pool and beach. It was very much a family resort and I believe that you need to emphasise this. We visited the beautiful Playa Papagayo beach three times and the journey was 15-20 minutes by car - not 5." To sum up this is a family resort - not suitable for couples or groups and I would book through a tour company to ensure that the accomodation is bearable. Everything is shut by 11pm and the beach and pool are very busy.

We have recently returned from our second holiday at the Playa Flamingo, in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. Last year, we had the most brilliant time ever, we knew we had to return, and infact we booked this years holiday the day after we got home!! We have not been disappointed. The apartments are still very clean, and well kept (daily maid service who makes the bed & washes up too!!) although quite basic, they have everything you need for a self catering holiday. We didn't actually "self cater" though, as there are so many restaurants on site & close by, why bother!! But its nice to have the option if necessary. We would recommend hiring a safety deposit box for a very low cost, which gives peace of mind. We have two girls (7 & 11yrs) and there was something going on around the pool area to entertain them from morning until night, which makes for a very relaxing holiday for Mum & Dad! The daytime activities are there if you want them, but not intrusive if you don't. We only left the complex for our evening stroll into town, after dinner, along the sea front (the sunsets were fabulous!) before heading back for the entertainment in the Blue Moon bar. Our children loved it!! The kids reps, especially Tweety, made most evenings fun for all ages. Although some evenings were a little cringe worthy, they did their best for the time of year with limited staff. The complex is very safe. Our oldest daughter and her friends used to wander around in the evenings, back & forth from reception to use "msn" and we felt quite at ease with this. The hotel staff are very friendly, and nothing is too much bother. The only down side to our stay was, that as we were leaving for the airport, I fell over outside Reception and very badly sprained my ankle. The drain in the road was partly uncovered, watch out!! We will definately return to the Playa Flamingo. Thomson, keep up the good work. Thanks again from The Napper Family

Just got back from an 11 night stay 16th Oct + 2006, good weather, good complex, restaurants a plenty, beach very close, clean and safe to swim or catch the rays, we even had take away pizza and a beer on the beach one day. No noise at night so no probs sleeping at all, supermarkets on complex a bit pricey but very handy, the Spar or Netto is better in town or on the way to town. Short walk to town with lots of restaurants and bars, no problems in town at all, it is a very safe place. I'm 46 and my son is 15 and we both enjoyed the atmosphere at Playa Flamingo even though it was aimed at the younger family end of the market, but we knew this before we booked. We had a faulty fan in the room, but it was fixed within 1 hour of arrival. It was 15 euros for the room safe, you get the key from reception and have to leave a 5 euro deposit but it gives you piece of mind as you can leave your cash and passports somewhere safe. I would go back tomorrow if i had any holidays left. The flight was great to, we got two seats together and a window seat without booking them. The reps were either on site, or only a phone call away. We met friends in Arecife near the airport one day as they were on the QE2, the bus was cheap and air conditioned, it took about 50 mins. I would give Arecife a miss as it's full of graffiti and the bus station was a total mess, not good for the Capital. Player Blanca was a world away, very clean and no graffiti. Thompson were very good, and taking a American Express travelers cheque card was a very good idea as you can use if for cash at ATM;s and as payment in shops and restaurants. Tone and Si.

Just returned from a brilliant holiday, although the weather was a little disappointing at times. Apartments very nice, we stayed in a bungalow with views to the sea. Facilities were good with 4 really good supermarkets within its facinities and 4/5 very good restaurants - would highly recommend the Chinese restaurant with Bouncy Castle, just down from the beach. Reps were excellent and our kids really bonded with Tweety and Peter from the Pool. The evening entertainment could have been better and this is the area I think Thomson have cut costs this year. We did find the main pool area quite small with people reserving beds before 8 am. All in all a very good holiday and would definately recommend it to anyone.

Not long returned from a two week holiday to Playa Flamingo, First impressions were very good , room (away from noisy Blue Moon bar that overlooked the pool). Nicely furnished, Although myself and my wife gradualy got back ache from the poor bed we had. However the room was very clean, The hotel staff were friendly and helpful. The Thomson reps were generally good , the kidzone entertainment was good and what we expected of Superfamily but the later evening entertainment was poor and repeated on a weekly basis, the same 4 scandinavian singers done their best but were pretty much useless, The thomson english reps especially Tweety was very good and my little girl adored her. Having been on a superfamily holiday the year before to ibiza we couldnt wait to go again but (in my view , 1 year on TUI have cut back on money they spent on outside entertainers and gone with their own entertainment which overall how hard they tried were pretty rubbish). the beach was good , the pool was clean (cold though) , The thomson trips to the waterpark was excellent as was the Texas rancho, we didnt eat at the hotel, There is an excellent Steak house and a chinese which are brilliant quality on the seafront , and towards the town , Popeyes and The Irish Anvil served good food. Playa Blanca is a lovely place but smells from time to time, We had no trouble at all until it was time to get the bus back to the airport that left us behind even though we were in reception waiting for it 5 mins before the published departure time, Then the Superfamily reps were of no use even though they admitted the bus had left early , i still had to pay for a taxi and got no refund at the airport. Left feeling annoyed and stressed and will be taking it further. Might return , but not in a hurry.

Our first impression was good. Our room Lovely clean and quite spacious. The hotels own staff very good. We had to make the childrens beds up ourselves evey night and this was a bit of a bind. The one bed is rubbish. The TV was so quiet we couldn't here it. You got two big fans and that was good. Thompsons well they were the worst we have ever come across. The Rep charge and what a joke. He is so unhelpfull. We went and saw one of his colleges a day or so into our holiday. we were a breakfast dish short and our terrace was very suuny so I asked for a parasol. He said ok we will sort it ASAP. Two days later I saw the rep in charge and asked again he said " you will have to pay for your own parasol and I will get the dish to you today." I also told him I had found my room unlocked when I had returned from the beach and it wasn't the cleaner as she hadn't been. Nothing was missing. But that is beside the point. He said he would see the manager. At the end of our holiday still no dish and nothing said about who had been in our room. The few painful shows that they did were rubbish and totally unorganised, The kids club, you had to book the day before and take them over to the thompson club. Too oraganised. Who planes on holiday what they are going to do, a day in advance. My kids didn't go. Then there's the drains. Smelly!! Weather was good and a nice breeze. Over all we had a good time but I will not be returning and I will be avoiding Thompsons.

Just come back from 2 week stay - had a lovely relaxing holiday - we had a one bedroom apt overlooking the pool - it was not very big but adequately furnished with lots of storage and equipment. I would probably say that it was 3* and not 4* as the brochure says as it is slightly tired looking. Fantastic beachfront location! Beach is superb - we travelled around and we would say Flamingo beach is possibly the best one - very safe for children and beautiful turquoise water! Lots of lovely restaurants and cafes along the seafront and promenade - we usually had breakfast in our room and ate out in the evening sometimes getting a taxi into town which only cost 3 euros. Pool was great but very busy - the staff have now started to remove towels from sunbeds which are not being used - brill! Trips - did volcano/camel trip - excellent fun - we all thoroughly enjoyed it. We also did Rancho Texas night - very good! and took the trip to Fuerteventura to the Baku waterpark - that was the highlight of our stay!! Kids clubs - my kids were not very interested as they were in different age groups - however they enjoyed the drop in club where they could watch dvd's, drawing etc. Only downside was the evening entertainment - poor! very boring and hardly anyone went to see some swedish guy on a guitar! Reps were very good,particularly Rob who is the Leader - very professional and nothing a problem to him. Overall fantastic holiday and we would definitely go back!

Had a great stay at the Playa Flamingo - cannot rate it highly enough. The only improvement I would make is to have an option of AC, but apart from that it was great. I was there whilst the "robberies" that someone else below has mentioned. What they did not report was that it was discovered to be another guest at the hotel who was responsible!! You will have a great time here!!

We have just come back from Playa Flamingo apartments where we had a two week holiday. We have two apartments for our large family(seven in total!!) We had the most fantastic time.Two teenagers spent most of the day by the pool or beach, two tweenies spent all the time in different clubs and fun activities, and one little one most of the time on the beach. We had breakfast in our apartments and ate out for dinner. I cannot rate high enough the kids reps, who really gave their all, to all activities. The hotel was very clean and of a very high standard Thomson trips were a total rip off, it would have cost us nearly £250.00 to visit the volcano, but we hired a car which cost £59.00 a day, and visited the volcano which only cost 6 euros for adults!!! Pool was very full, and you can only get a sunbed at 9.00am (we never got there for one!!) this was my only complaint about the hotel, people put their towels on the beds at 9.00 and dont come to the pool til 3.00,there is signs saying they will be removed but they never were!! I really recommend this resort for families, we met lots of great people and felt we really had had a holiday!!!!

just thought id leave a review for my beloved playa flamingo apartments,playa blanca. my husband and i and our two children have been visiting this hotel for 12 yrs now,,on and off. on our latest jaunt, i was disallusioned. the hotel has lost its magic for us. pools and staff all friendly and hardworking but super family club and reps,,sadly dont live up to earlier years. we had a theft from our room too, 2 mobile phones and we hence found out that we were not the only ones this had happened to. we all went to the beach one day,, only to come back to find all of 4 rooms with there doors unlocked and phones gone. no help from reps or hotel manager. this isnt the hotel which we once knew and loved. building work going on too which thomsons hadnt informed us of and staff in our rooms,,hanging pics etc... when we wernt in room. no person should be in that room except us and the cleaner. beach has been spoilt by hurricane too,,unsuitable for walking into sea,,,very painful with rocks and shale,,,,,,,,sorry to report this,,,but would like to pre warn other visitors