I have just been saved by reading the forum and cancelled my booking at Circus Circus.
Now I have to decide on an alternative.
I am travelling to Vegas for the first time with my husband and 13 year old son in late September. I am totally confused though have narrowed it down to Treasure Island, The Mirage or the Flamingo. I think the pool area may have a bearing on the final decision. Any comments appreciated

I haven't stayed at the Flamingo but I have seen their pool. It's very large and beautiful. They did have real penguins,flamingos near the pool and lots of palm trees.
I have stayed at Treasure Island and The Mirage countless times and I would recommend The Mirage. The pool is a lot bigger and it has more water slides. I've taken my 17yr. old twice a few years ago and he really liked the pool.
The landscaping is more lush and if you're interested in a cabana they are more secluded at Mirage than Treasure Island. However, if you're choosin on price The Mirage will be more costly.
Hope this helps. I love Vegas!

I just returned from four days in Vegas and stayed at the Flamingo. I have also stayed at Paris, Treasure Island, Aladdin and Mandalay Bay. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Flamingo. I had a recently renovated room which was a nice size. All new carpeting, bedding, tv, etc. The pool area at the Flamingo is one of the best in Las Vegas. Very nice. I think your son would love it. The pool at Treasure Island cannot compare. However, TI is a very nice place to stay. I have not stayed at the Mirage, so I cannot comment.

I think the best pool in Vegas is at Mandalay Bay. However, MB would not be as reasonable as the Flamingo, nor is it as centrally located as the Flamingo or the Mirage.

Hope this is helpful.

Have fun!

Thanks for the comments...the Mirage it is.

We just got back from vegas and got great rates at Mandalay Bays new all-suite tower called Thehotel. We loved the suite-your 13 yr. old would love the 43" plasma tv in the livingroom. Their is also one in the bathroom and bedroom.What was nice was later at night we could go down and gamble, and our 17 y.o. was perfectly content in the room because of the plasma tv's. You use Mandalay Bays pools, which have a lazy river and wave pool. It is located at the end of the strip, but it wasn't a problem. A tram takes you up a little ways, and then we would walk up the rest of the strip. Always took a cab home though.

I haven't stayed there, but have friends who frequently travel to LV and highly recommend the Flamingo as a "best overall value". It's also in a great location (pretty much mid-strip).

We always stay a little west of the Strip at the Orleans. Big rooms, nice place, plenty of parking, shuttles to other casinos. Great price.

(Trip Advisor's reviews make the Orleans the 3rd most highly rated place to stay in Vegas...not sure where/how they get that rating, but I found it interesting!)

But, the biggest "plus" for us is that the Orleans is on the same side of the Strip as my brothers' homes. (They don't have enough guest rooms, usually a few other family members stay with them and my DH and I stay at the Orleans.) We're about a 5 minute drive from one brother when we're at the Orleans, so we all use his house as our central location.

But, it sounds like you really want to be more "near the action," so the Flamingo or one of the others may be your best bet.

Have fun..don't forget a stop at the Cactus Garden (at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory), which is really very interesting. And watch "the Fountains of Bellagio" (outdoor - music, lights, water fountains), which is my favorite show in LV.

Gayle

Stick with the Mirage - we loved it.

I think the Mirage is a marginally nicer hotel, but the pool at the Flamingo is awesome.

I have not stayed at the Mirage, so I cannot comment on the rooms or the pool, but personally I don't care for the casino. It seems quite dark and cramped to me. I get claustrophobic in there. It's just a matter of personal taste. You know how something "hits" you a particular way. I would not stay at the Mirage for that reason. I'm just not happy when I walk in there. Just my two cents, of course.