Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, a Radisson Hotel

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? I’ve stayed at a lot of Vegas hotels, and Treasure Island sort of surprised me in the best way possible. I mean, it’s not the flashiest place on the Strip anymore – that whole pirate theme from the ’90s has been toned way down – but honestly, that works in its favor. It feels less gimmicky now, more like a solid hotel that happens to be in one of the best spots you could ask for.

The location is actually ridiculous if you think about it. You’re literally across the street from the Mirage (well, what used to be the Mirage before it became Hard Rock), and the Venetian is right there too. I walked to Fashion Show Mall in like ten minutes, which was perfect because I needed to grab some decent coffee – the Starbucks in the casino gets pretty crowded around 9 AM. The rooms are bigger than you’d expect for a Strip hotel, and here’s something most people don’t mention: the bathrooms are actually functional. I’ve been in $300-a-night suites where you can barely turn around in the bathroom, but TI gets this right. The beds are comfortable too, though if you’re facing the Strip, bring earplugs or use the white noise from the AC – Las Vegas Boulevard never really sleeps, and the sirens can be… frequent.

What I really appreciate is that it doesn’t try too hard. The casino floor isn’t overwhelming like some of the mega-resorts, so you can actually walk through it without getting completely turned around. The staff at check-in was surprisingly efficient – I was expecting the usual Vegas hotel shuffle, but they had me sorted in maybe five minutes. Parking is straightforward too, which honestly matters more than people realize when you’re dealing with Strip traffic. The pool area gets busy during spring break and summer weekends (obviously), but if you go in the morning or late afternoon, it’s pretty chill. And here’s a local tip: the CVS next door is a lifesaver for snacks and aspirin, because the hotel shops will charge you Vegas prices for everything. The sports book is decent if you’re into that, not too smoky compared to some places. Look, it’s not going to blow your mind like staying at the Wynn or anything, but for the price point and location, TI delivers exactly what you need for a Vegas trip without the pretentious atmosphere or the constant feeling that they’re trying to separate you from your money every five seconds.