Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

"one of the only reactionary projects in the canon of forward thinking casino developer Steve Wynn"

I never get this line of thinking, honestly. To me, it reveals one of the great hypocrisies of Vegas. While it didn't have the kind of hands-on effort that went into Mirage and Bellagio, Treasure Island proved you can build a Wynn place for something less than People Who Demand The Very Best and have it still work as a Wynn place (i.e. it didn't feel dramatically cheap compared to Mirage.) Wynn himself even liked to compare himself to Disney (the man, not the business) in those days, as much as he tries to avoid that image now.

And furthermore, how can Steve Wynn be some forward-thinking visionary if his vision is limited to five-star resorts? If he can't cater to any market other than the very top, it seems to me that's not too inspirational. People consider visionary, forward-thinking figures to be people who others are inspired by, and I can't think of what would happen if everyone was inspired to build nothing but Bellagios and Encores along the Strip.

I saw his review and I have to say, I don't care what they have done with the place. I don't care for any of the changes MGM has made to TI, with the exception of some of the places to eat. Once again, MGM has done the only look they are capable of doing, the modern look. If you love contemporary, MGM is the place for you, they do that look everywhere, and are moving all their hotels to that styling. I can't speak for everyone, but that look isn't for me. I like it some times, and in some places. It will fit at City Center, but it will never fit in at Bellagio and Mirage. The biggest problem with TI is their pool, it was a horrible mistake by Steve Wynn, and as if it were not small enough, they made it even smaller, with the expansion of the check in area. Oh well, its Vegas, nothing stays the same forever.

Posted by mike_ch

Brian: My problem with it is, as I've said before, they've added NOTHING worthwhile to the place. They've only taken stuff away.

What's added that's worth the cost? Replacing a bad buffet with a middling one? An Everything's $10 boutique? Replacing a good outdoor show with a bad one? They've done nothing good there.

I've taken pictures of what they've done with NYNY some time ago (sent them to Hunter today) and let me tell you what they're doing there looks good.) What they're doing at Luxor also looks okay at the casino level though it is very different, but you can say they've added things instead of just taking stuff away.

I was surprised at how much I liked the changes. I've always liked Treasure Island's rooms better than rooms at The Mirage. The manageable size of the property and its location would make me choose Treasure Island over MGM Grand, Flamingo or any of the other Harrah's mid-market properties. I do miss the original pirate/bones chandeliers. :-)

Another great detailed review by Chuck.....thanks!

I have to agree with sentiments expressed by Brian and Mike, about what MGM has done to Steve's first two Strip properties. My main complaint is with the casinos at both Mirage and TI.....when I've walked thru them recently they just appear too dark, as opposed to the festive tropical and pirate themes Wynn had.

when steve wynn looks out of his suite at wynn, I always wonder, what does he think of the big remoldels MGM to the mirage, treasure island and bellagio? (the new paint job at ti, etc)

what kind of question is that?