few years ago, Treasure Island at the Mirage, across the street from Harrahs, was offering a better rate. I took it, and my Vegas life changed from that moment.

n the life of what is Las Vegas, seven years is OLD for a hotel. Really old.

ith so many newer hotels popping up all over, the shelf-life of a Vegas hotel is about three years; then it either undergoes a transformation or sinks into a $39 a night bargain while the high-rollers choose the newer, glitzier theme hotels that are so abundant.

Complete with our Christmas Stockings

reasure Island did undergo a transformation of sorts, in that it refurbished all its rooms, turning them into elegant spaces with upscale amenities. Gone are the pirate themes from the rooms themselves, the black and gold carpet in the long corridors; in are brocade fabrics, gilded mirrors, upscale bath items. The rooms are gorgeous now, and are still loss-leaders for the Mirage Resorts Corporation, which owns The Golden Nugget in both Las Vegas and Laughlin, NV), The Mirage, the über-ritzy Bellagio, and Biloxi, MS's Beau Rivage.

(ome years ago, when the Mirage had just opened, one of the hotel's owners told me that they didn't want the rooms to be "too nice," because they wanted guests to stay out of the rooms. "When they are in the rooms, they are not spending money," he told me. It appears that this trend has changed, and that the owners have come to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with returning to a lovely, elegant, pampering environment after one has "spent money" in the hotel's other venues.)

ne of the smartest things I ever did was join Treasure Island's slot club. NO other casino hotel has a program that is as much fun or as inventive as the casino marketing of Treasure Island. During Vegas's low season, I am plied with fun and funky offers for either complimentary rooms, slot tournaments, or huge discounts. The "themes" of these offerings are delightful, whether it's an All-Elvis Weekend or a Redneck Celebration (in the form of a folded invitation that looks like an outhouse). The best was the introduction of the resorts' suite renovations, and since the period offered overlapped both my daughter's birthday and Christmas, we took advantage of it.

he mini-suites are tucked into angles of the multi-wing building that is the Treasure Island Resort and Casino. They are right near the elevators, which makes it nice after an exhausting round of slots or blackjack. Big double doors, an "entrance hallway" flanked by twisted columns, two full bathrooms, and a seating area are their hallmarks. I have stayed in fancier suites before, but this one was just great for our stay.

The Strip at Night, from Our Room

e quickly discovered that the bathrooms were "his and hers" affairs. We knew this because of the amenities included in each, and for some reason found it very amusing. The "men's bathroom" had a marble shower with a seat and included a toothbrush, shaving cream, and a razor. The "woman's bathroom" came complete with a two-person Jacuzzi® tub, a mini-fridge, and a can of hairspray. (What, women don't brush their teeth?)

have to admit that the casino marketing department knows what it is doing; my complimentary room cost me plenty in gaming. On the other hand, I didn't have to gamble at all. The hotel is right next to the Fashion Show Mall; my daughter and I did enjoy Christmas shopping there.

o matter what the rate is, however, the one thing that will keep me going back to Treasure Island Resort and Casino is the staff. This is a constant theme of mine: Whether it's a Motel 6 or a Four Seasons, the way you are treated as a guest is the absolute most important reason to return to an establishment or a "brand." Treasure Island excels in its customer service (or "guest relations.") EVERY person in the hotel, from the front desk personnel to the casino cashiers, from the waiters to the dealers, are trained well in the fine art of making each guest feel special. That is something I cherish, and something that the hotel managers understand. The competition is fierce, and unless the guests are made to feel important and special, another casino hotel would love to fill that breach.

rankly, I can't wait to see what the next Treasure Island promotion will be, because I am ready for another Vegas trip, and I know just where I will stay.

ake a look at our Photos from Treasure Island.