The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino is a bit of a Vegas anomaly. You’ve probably seen it a thousand times if you’ve ever walked the north end of the Strip, that massive rad-brown curve of a building sitting right next to the Fashion Show Mall. It’s been there since 1993, which, in Las Vegas years, makes it a certified elder statesman. Honestly, most people just call it "TI" now. Back in the day, it was all about the pirates. You had the Sirens of TI show out front, cannon fire every night, and enough nautical kitsch to make Captain Hook feel right at home. But then something shifted in the mid-2000s. The skulls disappeared. The "island" became a bit more "upscale." Some people hated the change. They missed the kitschy, family-friendly pirate vibes. Others welcomed the fact that you could finally walk into the lobby without feeling like you were entering a Disney World gift shop.
The Identity Crisis of TI
Is it a luxury resort? Not really. Is it a budget motel? Definitely not. Treasure Island occupies this weird, perfect middle ground that a lot of the newer, glitzier mega-resorts like Fontainbleau or Resorts World just can't touch. It’s accessible. When Steve Wynn opened this place, it was meant to be the "fun" sibling to the Mirage. Today, under the ownership of Phil Ruffin—who also owns Circus Circus—it operates with a surprisingly independent streak.
You won’t find the corporate, homogenized feel of an MGM or Caesars property here. That’s actually a huge selling point for regular Vegas visitors. Because it isn't part of the two giant conglomerates that own most of the Strip, TI often does its own thing with player rewards and room rates.
The Rooms are Actually Huge
One thing people get wrong about older Vegas hotels is the room quality. Look, if you’re looking for high-tech touchscreens that open your curtains, go to Aria. But if you want floor-to-ceiling windows and enough square footage to actually move around, TI holds its own. Most standard rooms are around 400 square feet. That’s plenty. They’ve been renovated enough times to keep the "old hotel" smell away, though you can still find traces of the 90s if you look hard at the baseboards.
The view is the real winner. If you book a room facing south, you’re looking directly at the Mirage (well, what’s becoming the Hard Rock) and the High Roller in the distance. It’s one of the best views for the price point in the entire city. No joke.
Dining Without the Pretension
Las Vegas has become a city where a burger can cost $30 and a cocktail is $22. It’s exhausting. At Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, the food scene feels a bit more grounded. You have Phil’s Steak House, which is classic Vegas—dim lighting, leather booths, and a solid ribeye. It’s named after the owner, obviously. Then there’s Gilley’s BBQ.
💡 You might also like: Hotels Near University of Texas Arlington: What Most People Get Wrong
Gilley's is... an experience. It’s a country western bar with a mechanical bull and line dancing. Is it "fine dining"? Absolutely not. Is it one of the most fun places to grab a beer and some pulled pork on a Tuesday night? 100%. It brings a bit of that downtown, blue-collar energy to the middle of the Strip.
- Seafood Shack: Good for fried shrimp and oysters if you're craving a pier vibe.
- Senor Frogs: This is where you go if you want to drink a yard of margarita and possibly regret it the next morning. It's loud. It's chaotic. It’s exactly what some people want from Vegas.
- The Coffee Shop: It's literally just called The Coffee Shop. It’s open late, and the breakfast is reliable. Sometimes that's all you need.
The Gaming Floor and The "TI" Vibe
The casino floor at TI feels different than the Wynn or Bellagio. It’s more cramped, maybe, but also more energetic. It feels like people are actually gambling, not just posing for Instagram. The table limits tend to be a little more forgiving than their neighbors. You can still find a $15 blackjack table here on a weekday, which is becoming a rarity on the Strip where $25 or $50 is becoming the standard "entry fee."
The sportsbook is also surprisingly cozy. It’s not the massive, stadium-sized screens you’ll see at Circa, but it’s a great place to park yourself for an NFL Sunday. They have a loyalty program called TI Players Club. Since they aren't tied to the big chains, you can sometimes rack up comps faster here if you’re a consistent slot player.
Cirque du Soleil: The O.G.
You can't talk about Treasure Island without mentioning Mystère. This was the first permanent Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. It opened in 1993 and it’s still running. That’s insane. In a city where shows close after six months if they don't hit their numbers, Mystère is a juggernaut.
It’s more "traditional" Cirque—lots of acrobats, clowns, and weirdly beautiful imagery. It doesn't have the massive water tank of O or the Beatles music of Love, but it has a soul that the newer shows sometimes lack. It’s the reason many people step foot in the building in the first place. If you’ve never seen a Cirque show, this is the one you should start with. It’s the blueprint.
📖 Related: 10 day forecast myrtle beach south carolina: Why Winter Beach Trips Hit Different
Why the North Strip Location Matters
Location is everything. TI is connected to the Fashion Show Mall by a pedestrian bridge. This is huge. If you’re tired of casino food, you can walk five minutes and have access to a massive food court, Chipotle, or even a Maggiano’s.
It’s also connected to The Mirage via a tram. Or it was—with the Hard Rock transition happening, things are a bit in flux, but the walkability remains high. You’re right across the street from the Wynn and Encore. You can stay at TI for $150 a night and walk over to the Wynn to spend $200 on dinner. It’s the ultimate Vegas "hack" for staying within a budget while still being in the heart of the action.
Practical Realities of Staying at TI
Let’s be real for a second. There are downsides. The pool area at Treasure Island is fine, but it’s not a "day club" destination. If you want a DJ throwing cake at you while you swim, you’re in the wrong place. The TI pool is basically a large rectangle with some chairs around it. It gets the job done for a tan, but it’s not a tropical oasis.
Parking is another big one. For a long time, TI was one of the last holdouts for free parking on the Strip. As of now, they still offer free parking for hotel guests, which is a massive saving when other hotels are charging $20-$30 a day. Always check the latest policy before you roll up, though, because Vegas loves to change parking rules overnight.
The Marijuana Smell and Other Strip Truths
Vegas has changed. Since legalization, the smell of cannabis is everywhere on the Strip, and the sidewalk in front of TI is no exception. It’s just part of the landscape now. Also, expect crowds. Because TI is at a major intersection (Spring Mountain and Las Vegas Blvd), the foot traffic outside is relentless.
👉 See also: Rock Creek Lake CA: Why This Eastern Sierra High Spot Actually Lives Up to the Hype
If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded getaway, this isn’t it. This is the front lines of the Las Vegas experience.
Is Treasure Island Right For You?
If you’re a high roller who needs a butler and a marble bathtub, go to the Palazzo. If you’re a bachelor party looking for a 24/7 rager, maybe check out Planet Hollywood.
But if you’re a regular person who wants a clean room, a solid casino, a legendary show, and a location that doesn't require a $40 Uber to get anywhere, Treasure Island Hotel and Casino is arguably the best value on the Strip. It’s survived the "pirate" era, the "adult" rebrand era, and the "corporate takeover" era by just being a reliable place to stay.
There’s something to be said for a hotel that knows exactly what it is. TI doesn't try to be the most expensive or the most avant-garde. It’s just TI.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Skip the front desk line: If you arrive during the 3 PM rush, use the kiosks. They actually work well here.
- The Tram is your friend: Use it to get south toward the center Strip without roasting in the Nevada sun.
- Check for "Optional" Resort Fees: Vegas is notorious for these. Always read the fine print on your booking to see what the "amenity fee" covers. Usually, it's just Wi-Fi and the fitness center, but you're paying it regardless.
- Join the TI Players Club immediately: Even if you only spend $20 on slots, you might get a "teaser" offer in your email for a discounted return stay.
- Watch the pedestrian bridges: The one leading to the Fashion Show Mall is the easiest way to find affordable coffee and snacks.
Book your room on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the lowest rates. Avoid Raiders home game weekends if you don't want to pay triple. Treasure Island is a workhorse of a hotel—treat it right, and it’ll give you a classic Vegas experience without draining your entire bank account.