If you knew no better, you might imagine that the brash-looking Treasure Island, next door to the Mirage, was a culgar and possibly unwelcome neighbor. In fact, the relationship is very close, even parental; Treasure Island was built by Mirage Enterprises in 1993 using the first flush of profits from the Mirage . They remain connected, by a monorail that loops between the front of the Mirage and the back of Treasure Island, and they also share the same approach road from the Strip.

Treasure Island was designed to appeal to a younger audience than the Mirage, a little less affluent but more likely to be traveling with kids, and took the Mirage 's volcano concept several stages further. Here, the whole lower facade of the hotel is sculpted into a novelty attraction - an intricate, pastel-pretty seafront village, somewhere on the Spanish Main, that may seem awfully familiar to anyone who's visited Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride. In addition, the theming extends out onto the sidewalk, which is kitted out with boardwalks and rigging to accommodate spectators (and to obscure the view of drivers who might be tempted to stop). Finally, the diorama also incorporates moving parts and even lie actors, in the shape of floating "ships".

The main hotel tower makes little attempt to match the Caribbean clutter below, standing aloof aboe the ruined battlements and higgledy-piggledy palms. The balconies on this slender, pale orange block are for show only; the whole structure forms a Y-shape, stretching back from the Strip, and holding almost three thousand guestrooms.

With their takeover of the Mirage empire in 2000, MGM seem finally to have abandoned the notion of Las Vegas as a family destination. The impact on Treasure Island has thus been dramatic. One by one, its old child-pleasing fripperies are being stripped away, a huge video arcade for example being replaced by the Kahunaille cocktail bar. Dvisappearing too is the oddly subersie quasi-Satanic symbolism that used to permeate the place, though the main sign on the Strip still depicts a giant skull, and the ornate double gateway boasts a matching pair of skull-shaped doorhandles.

Treasure Island has in any case always catered ery cannily to its yuppie clientele. It offers a top-quality pool area and spa, serious gambling facilities such as a ery high-tech Race and Sports Book, and of course a busy Starbucks coffee outlet, upstairs near the monorail stop. It also puts on classier entertainment than the Mirage, in the form of the over-portentous but nonetheless impressive Cirque du Soleil show Mystère .

 
Golf
Treasure Island
Swing into Vegas' best golf scene. MGM MIRAGE gives you unbeatable ace opportunities to get your grooviest game on.

KAHUNAILLE
Treasure Island
You’re always invited to the party at Kahunaille! Swing by our tropical hot spot for eclectic eats and island-infused drinks.

Weddings - Treasure Island
"Treasure Island provides the perfect romantic setting for your wedding ceremony. The Wedding Chapels at Treasure Island are elegantly designed in champagne tones, with stately marble altars and elaborate floral arrangements."

  
Mystere
Treasure Island
"Mystère by Cirque du Soleil will fire up your senses. This is excitement, passion, and all-out showmanship to the extreme!"

MIST
Treasure Island
"Presenting TI’s intimate, new hot spot – Mist. Mellow out or exhilarate in this classy, but casual bar boasting a relaxing ambience for socializing and sports viewing."

Francesco's
Treasure Island
"Flaunting the flowers and stonewashed walls of a Mediterranean villa, this warmly inviting trattoria beckons with rustic and authentic Italian American dishes. The casual charm of the Tuscan countryside is at the heart of every dish served at this popular restaurant."

 
Salon
Treasure Island
"Let your journey begin in our renowned beauty salon. It is here that you will find a vast selection of professional services featuring hairstyling, manicures, pedicures and bridal designs."

 
Retail
Treasure Island
"Want the latest and greatest clothes, accessories and more… It’s in the bag at TI! "