This was our fourth stay at this hotel, so of course we must like it. My partner and I stay here or at Pineapple Point. Each hotel has its pluses and minuses. Our main reasons for choosing this hotel are the nice classic rooms, designed in a British West Indies style, the beautiful center courtyard area, and the proximity to the beach. We have stayed in different rooms and prefer the smaller rooms on the second floor in the back of the hotel. They are corner rooms and do not have windows that other guest can walk by, so you do not have to keep blinds closed for privacy. The preference for second floor rooms is because they receive more light. The bathrooms are nice and average size. Our most recent room had a glass block shower wall. All of the rooms have an upscale but relaxing feel. The rooms that we have stayed in have had both ceiling fans and air conditioning. The rooms are in good shape with housekeeping staying on top of things.

As I mentioned, the center courtyard is very nice with several umbrellas, tables, a fountain, and lots of comfortable lounge chairs overlooking the small but nice pool. The entire area is beautifully lit at night. The common lounge room is nicely decorated and has lots of newspapers, magazines, and books available. There is also a large collection of movies available.

A nice complimentary breakfast is provided, and there is a complimentary cocktail hour each night. Cookies and iced tea are provided during the midday hours. The staff is very nice and helpful. The clientele is mostly couples thirty and over. If you are looking for a nice more upscale hotel with a low key environment, then this is the right choice for you.

Summer is the slow season for the hotel and so this review may be a bit skewed. The positives are the location (very close to the beach), the pool, the friendliness of the staff and the room amenities (Avena). Some of the negatives however, rate this as an average boutique gay hotel: the constant visuals/noise of staff running between cleaning rooms, retentive tidying, landscape maintenance, mosquitos prevalent mid-morning and at dusk (need controlled), and breakfast/coffee between 8 and 9am -- definitely not what one would consider amenable to sleeping in.

My partner and I weren't specifically looking for a "gay" hotel, but settled on Flamingo based on the Trip Advisor reviews and process of elimination. We're more than happy we did!....

Inn Amongst The Flowers is amongst a rather dreary looking crop of dwellings on Terramar Blvd, many of which had rainbow flags prominently displayed, so we didn't feel too uncomfortable after our 20-minute/ $17 cab ride from the airport. Flamingo is about 4 blocks from A1A which runs parallel to the ocean, and the "Boy Beach" is actually another 10 minute walk or so, a little further than another review claimed. At the corner of Terramar is the Atlantic Hotel, whose restaurant, Trina, is lovely, but ridiculously overpriced, even for Manhattanites like us who are used to steep prices. $32 for unadorned sea bass? Please! However, one block away is The Deck, a perfectly adequate spot for lunch or a casual dinner featuring burgers, sandwiches, pastas, etc. Other than that, it's about a 15 minute walk in either direction for other dining choices. Renting a car seems to be the way to go at Flamingo with apparently adequate parking available. Taxi prices to more bustling nightlife, i.e. the gay-centric Wilton Manors, can run $16 each way. Same price for seaside restaurants Charley's Krab and Blue Moon Fish Co.--the latter especially recommended!

Back to Flamingo...we were greeted warmly by Dennis; our bags were in our room by the time we finished checking in with James, one of the friendliest concierges we have ever encountered. Walking to our room, we were struck by the abundant, colorful foliage of all kinds secluding the pool area from the outside world--a good thing since the resort is clothing optional. However, during our 5 day stay, most of the nudity was confined to inside the pool itself, with the occasional naked sun-bather in all his glory (or lack of it). Either way was fine. The pool water was unusually warm, very clean, with two yellow floating devices that matched the plentiful yellow lounge chairs adorning the property. It almost seemed like there were too many chairs at times, giving an unecessarily cramped feel to the area, but better too many than too little. And there was never, ever a lack of clean towels to use. During our stay in early April, full sun was available from 11:30am on. But sojourns to the beach were all the more pleasant thanks to the complimentary beach bag stuffed with 2 towels--more yellow.

The room itself--#210-- was quite nice. Certainly clean enough, except for the stained toilet bowl. ouch. Our room was the mirror image of the posted photo in the Trip Advisor website (#209), ample light from the windows, with blinds that allowed for pitch darkness at night. CD player, DVD/VHS unit, iron, alarm clock, refrigerator, safe, reading material, ceiling fan--all there. So was the turndown service with chocolates!

Noise level--excellent! Apparently there were some midnight pool "parites"--never heard a peep! During the day, the new age or Sirius Satellite "Chill" channel was set at just the right volume, providing atomosphere but not distraction for those wishing a quiet read and able to be totally blocked out with an Ipod if so desired. Overall, a very relaxing environment.

The music switched to more danceable tracks during the 5:30-6:30 cocktail hour. A great time to meet and schmooze with the other guests, a mix of singles and couples, age range average 40-60 while we were there. A pretty full bar, drinks happily served by the aforementioned James or equally delightful Jared with frequent visits by friendly co-owners Chip and Ray. Munchies were peanuts and pretzels.

Speaking of food, the breakfast available from 8:30-11am featured an assortment of cereals & fruit, bagels, muffins, toast, juices, teas and coffee. No need to go out. Newspapers from NY and Florida were available as well. Afternoons, a pitcher of iced tea and cookies were set out.

There were spa services available. Massage therapist Maurecio, a totally professional cutie, gave me the most spectacular reflexology treatment I have ever had! My only complaint was that the location was behind the hotel office and the noise from the airconditioner unit was a bit offputting, as was the ceiling of the canopy which was a bit stained.

If you're looking for Fort Lauderdale's answer to Fire Island, try elsewhere, like the establishment up the block that featured a thumping disco beat nearly every time I trekked to the beach. But if you're looking for a clean, quieter, sedate vibe, Flamingo Inn Amongst The Flowers is the place for you. We'll be back.

Had a great stay at the Flamingo. Staff were helpful and welcoming; Offered excellent suggestions for restaurants and nightlife/clubs. Guests mostly established couples 30 plus years old. Quiet and relaxing retreat. Nightly complimentary cocktail hour was a great way to meet and greet. Daily continental breakfast. Location is a mere 3 blocks to the beach and 7-10 minute walk to the gay beach (Sebastian Street) and they provide beach bags with towels and lotion. Heated pool with good sun exposure. Lush landscaping with fountains. Relaxing lounge chairs and soothing background music. Library with various books and videos (contemporary and adult) are complimentary to use. The room had soothing British Colonial decor with dressing area, wet bar and lounge chair, sofa and desk. Complimentary wireless service for your laptop. The only minor complaint may be somewhat worn carpet in the room and basic bathroom. There are several other gay guest houses in 1-2 block vicinity to the Flamingo. The Flamingo was the nicest for luxury and sedate atmosphere.