We have just returned form a 10 day holiday in Lanzarote. We have visited the island several times but this was our first time in Playa Blanca. Our apartment was very much in need of refurbishment. The breakfast bar had peeling varnish and the stools were very stained. The apartment was adequate but not 4 star as Thomson state. Our baloney was very small with a very high wall! Not much good for sunbathing as only waist up saw the sun! There are also a lot of birds and the balcony was covered in droppings each day – although the cleaners did their best! There was plenty of sunbeds and the beds and mattresses were free. Only a couple of umbrellas though. The apartments are a 10 minute walk into Playa Blanca although there are 5 restaurants: Pizzeria, Chinese, Steak House etc and 2 supermarkets very close. As well as the complex own eating places.

We are leaving for the resort again on Friday. Travelling abroad is never easy for us as my eldest daughter, who was 4 last year on our visit, suffers from a few food allergies, including peanuts which can be potentially fatal for her. So, we have to make sure that we are certain about food and ingredients used on all trips. I contacted Angel, the manager, prior to departure last year, and I have to say that the way my girl was looked after by the staff at the restaurants was fantastic. Every meal, even in the buffet restaurant, was prepared seperately for her and the staff were constantly checking that she was OK.

Of course, we also enjoyed the fact that the resort feels 100% safe for the kids, the accomodation is clean, the big terrace we had in our apartment was gated, which meant that we could close the door an not worry about our 2 year-old running off either.

I have my 40th birthday this year while we are away and, having looked at alternative destinations, we chose to go back again, based on the quality of service we received last year. Again I have contacted Angel and again have received an immediate response.

I travel with my job and have stayed at some of the best 5-star hotels in the world. When we go on holiday, we expect 5-star service as well... after all it is our time to get away from the usual 9-5 struggle of daily life, but I think we also have to take into consideration where we are travelling to and the other guests that the hotel is accomodating. If you want butler service and 7 star luxury, go to Burj al Arab in Dubai. If you want to relax and enjoy a break with the family in pleasant, comfortable surroundings with friendly staff, don't look beyond this place. I will post a follow-up when I return again in the middle of April, but I am more than happy to be returning to Playa Flamingo and can only hope that the quality is the same as lst year.

Playa Flamingo apartments seem to be very hit and miss. We travelled there on the back of good reviews for the kids club but it only runs from May to October and english kids can't use it, I had emailed the manager about this as I read his replies to the bad reviews and he never got back to me - I now know why.
The whole resort is geared up for the scandinavians with the blue moon bar which is tatty and tired looking, only one toilet door lock works out of 5, a disgrace I thought with amaeturish entertainers and the place was empty by 10.20pm you could hear a pin drop.
So no good for nightlife but we enjoyed the apartments which were kept clean and the sea view was lovely.The area is very safe, I never worried for a minute for my 2 young children.I
was not impressed with El Chef the restaurant onsite as I was served chicken from the grill and found it raw inside needless to say I lost the next day of my holiday to the bathroom and had to buy expensive medication, I compained to the manager who quoshed my dinner bill but made no apologies.
The apartments are out on a limb and you need to be prepared for a good 15-20 minute walk to town, I loved this but my mother thought it was too far.There is a courtesy bus service to the Dorada beach at 10.30am which picks you back up at 5.30pm but beware the bus didn't come back for us on 2 occasions and its 1 hours walk back! Check that reception will pay for you a taxi back if this happens.
The swimming pools were nice infact the warmest I've experienced in Lanzarote.The steps out of the pool dont have grip on them so you need to take care getting out.
All in all for me I'd say that this resort is best for english families from May to October but stay clear outside these months there are plenty of other hotels offering kids clubs and I wish I'd have researched this better myself.

Just returned from a lovely holiday with my wife & two children at the Playa Famingo Apartments, we stayed there for 2 weeks from the 9th to the 23rd of January 2008, we had excellent weather for the full 2 weeks, the apartment & the whole complex wes kept spotles clean at all times.

As stated by some other reviews 90% of the other guests were from sweeden, norway, etc & most of the childrens entertainment was aimed at the sweedish guests (who seemed to be a little stand-offish), the reps were nice & very friendly & always asked us if we wanted to join in the pool activities etc.

All in all we had a lovely holiday, the apartment wes cleaned every day, the grounds & pool areas were kept clean & tidy, the staff at the pool bar are very friendly & always had time for the kids, the resort itself is also very clean, the beaches are well maintained altho playa flamingo beach has suffered from some stom damage we all loved it, the restaurants & bars in the main resort are of excellent quality, the resort centre is about 15 20 minutes stroll from playa flamingo, we walked there on many occasions & i have to say it is one of a few places where i felt safe walking about at any time day or night.

We would definately stay here again, the aparments & resort are excellent, we had a great 2 weeks in the sun. 10 out of 10 to Playa Flamingo.