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LVRJ - Icahn-controlled company buys Flamingo Laughlin for $170

#1

In a message dated 12/2/2005 6:26:36 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com writes:

<<< Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 14:29:30 -0000
$170 million

So what does everyone here think of the buyout? Is there anyone
that knows about their past history that cares to comment?

They apparently own the Stratosphere (among one or two other
casinos), and the Stratosphere is the only casino in LV that I
know of that has a single "0" roulette table. >>>

Although I visit Edgewater often, I haven't gone next door to Flamingo in a
couple of years. Icahn's holdings also include the Arizona Charlies casinos in
LV. I haven't gone back to them for a few years either. In both instances,
the preference for local business is what keeps me from coming back. In
Flamingo's case, the employees and management have an attitude that, being the
biggest on the river, they don't need to work as hard for your patronage. Until
the attitude and people change, I don't see any reason to go back.

BTW, heard that Andre Carrier (general manager) is no longer with Golden
Nugget Laughlin or Las Vegas. Anybody know if this is true?

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

···

From: "Bob" <bob972@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: LVRJ - Icahn-controlled company buys Flamingo Laughlin for

#2

The wife and I are considering coming to town on the weekend of January 13, 14, 15. The Harrah's reservation gal said I might be wise to pick another weekend as they were having this race this weekend? Any idea why this would be a big deal? All we want to do is play some VP and lounge in the hot tub a bit. Anyone been there for this weekend? Is it something we should avoid?

Another question. We just figured out how to access our offers on line. It says that these are the same as mailed offers. The rub. I never get these in the mail. Yeah, I checked and both our addresses are correct in the system. I asked the reservation gal what could be done about this - she said "it was a problem between me and the USPS"! Anyone ever book a room from their online offers without the mailed copy? Anyone have a duplicate mailed if theirs was lost?

Thanks for any and all replies! We like the place, but after this run around I might consider just staying at the BC for the 3 free nights they have offered. Gotta fly to LV and drive to Laughlin anyway....

SK

#3

Accessing offers online is one of the things that other casinos could learn
from Harrah's. We have had success booking rooms from just the online
offer. If the offer includes a bounce coupon, I would call a host to
inquire if it can be collected without the voucher in hand.

Even booking online through their computer system you can often get more or
different nights from what Harrah's has offered. Their online system is
more sophisticated than any other that I have used.

Chandler

···

-----Original Message-----
From: vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:vpFREE_Laugh…@…com]On Behalf Of golden bearpa
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 12:08 AM
To: vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE_Laughlin] Off Road races?

The wife and I are considering coming to town on the weekend of January 13,
14, 15. The Harrah's reservation gal said I might be wise to pick another
weekend as they were having this race this weekend? Any idea why this would
be a big deal? All we want to do is play some VP and lounge in the hot tub
a bit. Anyone been there for this weekend? Is it something we should
avoid?

Another question. We just figured out how to access our offers on line. It
says that these are the same as mailed offers. The rub. I never get these
in the mail. Yeah, I checked and both our addresses are correct in the
system. I asked the reservation gal what could be done about this - she
said "it was a problem between me and the USPS"! Anyone ever book a room
from their online offers without the mailed copy? Anyone have a duplicate
mailed if theirs was lost?

Thanks for any and all replies! We like the place, but after this run
around I might consider just staying at the BC for the 3 free nights they
have offered. Gotta fly to LV and drive to Laughlin anyway....

SK

vpFREE Links: http://members.cox.net/vpfree/Links.htm

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#4

Well the reason why I asked for people's opinions about the
buyout is because on my October visit to Laughlin I developed a
new fondness for the Flamingo.

Even though they don't have any single deck bj other than the 6/5
garbage, at least they have a two deck table where you can
double down on any first two cards. Plus I discovered a bank of
9/6 25¢ VP machines near the north wall of the casino I didn't
know was there.

I like their music. I'm 59 years ago but I find that the steady diet
of oldie goldie 60's music I hear at most casinos depresses me.
But the Flamingo seems to have a good mix of music.

I also like the way the casino is laid out.

I haven't eaten there though, and I'd like to hear from others what
they think of their food. I've seen commercials that they have a
burger bar at their lunch buffet and that they serve beer (and
wine?) at their dinner buffet.

#5

The Flamingo used to be MY place in Laughlin back when it was called
the Flamingo Hilton, and even after that. The location is great, they
have had great restaurants, and the rooms were very nice with the
floor to ceiling windows. The Video Poker has always been good,
although not the best along the river. It all just kind of fell
apart for us over the years. Alta Villa was the place to eat. The
food was wonderful, with great service, and those special "art"
desserts. Yum. The Beef Baron was terrific with those wonderful
cheese muffins. The buffet was really great with all the fresh fruit,
and a more healthy layout of food. The 50's diner coffee shop had
some great specials, and the food was always consistent. About 4
years ago we noticed a slight decline in everything at the Flamingo.
We had an off meal at the Alta Villa, then another one, a new cook
didn't help, and it just got worse and worse. The rooms were getting
old and dirty, and we just decided it was time to move on. I have not
given up on the Flamingo, and I think it is great news that a new
owner WANTS the place.

I have not any offers from the Flamingo in almost 2 years now. I
think that we have a lot to look forward to from the Flamingo, or
whatever name they decide to use. I really can't see any negatives in
this buyout, can you?

Well the reason why I asked for people's opinions about the
buyout is because on my October visit to Laughlin I developed a
new fondness for the Flamingo.

Even though they don't have any single deck bj other than the 6/5
garbage, at least they have a two deck table where you can
double down on any first two cards. Plus I discovered a bank of
9/6 25¢ VP machines near the north wall of the casino I didn't
know was there.

I like their music. I'm 59 years ago but I find that the steady

diet

···

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bob972@y...> wrote:

of oldie goldie 60's music I hear at most casinos depresses me.
But the Flamingo seems to have a good mix of music.

I also like the way the casino is laid out.

I haven't eaten there though, and I'd like to hear from others what
they think of their food. I've seen commercials that they have a
burger bar at their lunch buffet and that they serve beer (and
wine?) at their dinner buffet.

#6

I have been in town I think twice during the races weekend. It was a
little more noisy around town with helicopters flying around, but no
big deal. I could not see that it was any more crowded than any other
weekend. Now, if you are talking about the River Run, I would tell
you to stay away. I would not let the off road races spoil my trip.

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "golden bearpa"
<stevenb34@h...> wrote:

The wife and I are considering coming to town on the weekend of

January 13,

14, 15. The Harrah's reservation gal said I might be wise to pick

another

weekend as they were having this race this weekend? Any idea why

this would

be a big deal? All we want to do is play some VP and lounge in the

hot tub

a bit. Anyone been there for this weekend? Is it something we

should

avoid?

Another question. We just figured out how to access our offers on

line. It

says that these are the same as mailed offers. The rub. I never

get these

in the mail. Yeah, I checked and both our addresses are correct in

the

system. I asked the reservation gal what could be done about this -

she

said "it was a problem between me and the USPS"! Anyone ever book

a room

from their online offers without the mailed copy? Anyone have a

duplicate

mailed if theirs was lost?

Thanks for any and all replies! We like the place, but after this

run

around I might consider just staying at the BC for the 3 free

nights they

···

have offered. Gotta fly to LV and drive to Laughlin anyway....

SK

#7

I thought so much of your guys' feedback I had to print them out
for my wife to see. She doesn't do Yahoo groups but she
definitely has opinions on the Flamingo's food. I haven't gotten
her to go into a Flamingo restaurant in years. Perhaps now,
though, she will go.

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "hamstockman"
<ab6pq@a...> wrote:

The Flamingo used to be MY place in Laughlin back when it

was called

the Flamingo Hilton, and even after that. The location is great,

they

have had great restaurants, and the rooms were very nice with

the

floor to ceiling windows. The Video Poker has always been

good,

although not the best along the river. It all just kind of fell
apart for us over the years. Alta Villa was the place to eat. The
food was wonderful, with great service, and those special "art"
desserts. Yum. The Beef Baron was terrific with those

wonderful

cheese muffins. The buffet was really great with all the fresh

fruit,

and a more healthy layout of food. The 50's diner coffee shop

had

some great specials, and the food was always consistent.

About 4

years ago we noticed a slight decline in everything at the

Flamingo.

We had an off meal at the Alta Villa, then another one, a new

cook

didn't help, and it just got worse and worse. The rooms were

getting

old and dirty, and we just decided it was time to move on. I

have not

given up on the Flamingo, and I think it is great news that a

new

owner WANTS the place.

I have not any offers from the Flamingo in almost 2 years now. I
think that we have a lot to look forward to from the Flamingo, or
whatever name they decide to use. I really can't see any

negatives in

this buyout, can you?

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "Bob"

<bob972@y...> wrote:

>
> Well the reason why I asked for people's opinions about the
> buyout is because on my October visit to Laughlin I

developed a

> new fondness for the Flamingo.
>
> Even though they don't have any single deck bj other than the

6/5

> garbage, at least they have a two deck table where you can
> double down on any first two cards. Plus I discovered a bank

of

> 9/6 25¢ VP machines near the north wall of the casino I didn't
> know was there.
>
> I like their music. I'm 59 years ago but I find that the steady
diet
> of oldie goldie 60's music I hear at most casinos depresses

me.

> But the Flamingo seems to have a good mix of music.
>
> I also like the way the casino is laid out.
>
> I haven't eaten there though, and I'd like to hear from others

what

> they think of their food. I've seen commercials that they have

a

···

> burger bar at their lunch buffet and that they serve beer (and
> wine?) at their dinner buffet.
>