Description: Flamingo Beach Resort is right on the very pretty Playa Flamingo. Technically, there is a dirt road separating the hotel property and the public beach, but it doesn't really matter and doesn't get much traffic other than hotel guests. The hotel's charms definitely grew on us during our 3 day stay. It isn't a huge place, with sort of a colonial style to it with wide, open air, arched hallways which allow the occasional bat to fly through at night.
When we were there, its front gate wall was under reconstruction, so you had to drive (or walk) in from around the back, along the beach. The construction made a poor first impression on us, but the nice room with air conditioning and cool tile floors, the pretty pool area leading to the beach and the friendly staff soon overcame that first impression. We had a pretty standard two double-bed room. The bathroom and shower was nice and clean. Nothing terribly elegant, but the beds were comfortable. Our room had a nice big balcony, but no ocean view, unfortunately. Only the top-priced rooms came with ocean views.
The beach is very nice, relaxing, and quiet. Smooth sand. Nice body surfing at lower tide, a little rough at higher tide. I went out for a walk at 7 a.m. one day and had the whole beach to myself. The hotel provides chairs you can take onto the beach.
We didn't eat at the restaurant -- it seemed a little high priced, although again, the setting was nice.
They have a tour desk that can set you up with various excursions or scuba diving. The guys working it were friendly and helpful.
They have complimentary pool tables and tennis courts, and a couple small souvenir shops just off the lobby. Outside the hotel, in the "town" of Playa Flamingo, there are a couple other restaurants, a couple high rise condos, a small grocery store, and a couple shops. All within an easy walk from the hotel (but made slightly longer because of the front-gate construction). But the area is really small and peaceful and hassle free. Nowhere near the activity at a place like Tamarindo.
We really enjoyed the location. We had a nice time on Playa Flamingo and were close to other beaches to explore (Brasilito, Conchal, Grande,...) and Tamarindo is only a 25min drive if you want more action and souvenir shopping and hassles.
All the beaches along the coast here (except maybe Tamarindo) are very nice and quiet. Nobody asking you to go parasailing,buy marijuana, or get your hair braided every 5 minutes.
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