Earlier this week, I posted a message regarding my first visit to LV. At that time we had booked rooms at the RIO Suites... Based on the responses received I decided our first experience should be a property located on the strip. In my research, the following properties look interesting (MGM Grand, Paris and Treasure Island).
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I would go with whichever is cheaper - they are all in good locations. I did stay at Treasure Island two years ago and would stay there again.

Of those three, I'd rank them P>TI>MGM.
Paris is still relatively new, has the best location on the strip, decent food options. The rooms aren't luxury-appointed like the top notch hotels (they're very 'Marriott' as a comparison) but for what they usually charge, Paris is a very good value.
The casino gets points for its unique design. Pool is OK, nothing special but not bad.

TI is at the north end of the good part of the strip, next to the Fashion Show Mall, which is actually a pretty nice mall since the big addition, and is also a very good value. Rooms are similar quality as Paris and recently redone. Food is just OK, casino is OK (low ceilings). Location is its main negative. Pool is OK. Lots more kids here than many other places.

I don't like MGM. It's too big and spread out to be user friendly, it hasn't aged too well, it definitely attracts a lower class crowd than it did the first few years it was open. The rooms are actually very slightly better than the rooms at Paris and TI IMO. Better food options than TI. Location is slightly better than TI, not as good as Paris. Casino seems smokier than the other two to me. For some reason MGM just seems like it has fallen a long way since it opened in the early 1990's--as evidenced by the huge, dead (as in shuttered) theme park on its property.

Paris is great, you will really enjoy it. The rooms are nice. The shopping and food are excellent there and super location to walk to and from other properties (and across from Bellagio fountains). MGM was too big and spread out for us. No to Treasure Island. We also enjoyed the Flamingo, good location, good price, great swimming. No to the Mirage. Good luck and have a great trip. Yes, Rio is out of the way. Eat one meal at Aladdin at PF Changs-excellent food and good price (next to Paris)-good place to stay also.

I never found MGM to be too "spread out" compared to other strip properties. True, it's a large facility, but very logically laid out and you have numerous good dining choices at your fingertips. It's hard to find a decent meal at TI, you always end up walking to another place to eat.

I've stayed at Paris & TI both are really nice but if you have a car and don't want a problem finding your way out of the casino then Paris is where you stay. The food is Paris is way better than TI. You can eat for not much at Paris and the casino is alittle smaller and more intimate (for a LV hotel) the pool is very nice and large. Lots of room to lounge. TI doesn't have a great pool area but it does the job. MGM is a little on the white trashy side though. The only thing is the Rainforest Cafe and I don't like the casino, looks a little run down. One place NOT to stay is Ballys. This hotel is major in need of restoration. Very run down. My vote would be for Paris which from some of the rooms you can see the water show at Bellagio. Ask for a standard CORNER room. They are larger than the middle rooms and the same price. Have a great trip and hope this helped you!

It appears that the drawback to TI is its location. Is there real savings when the hotels offer promotions of 2for1, (shows, spa admissions, resturants)? Are there discounts to found online or at the hotels for meals, shows, etc? There's about a $100 savings if we stay at TI. Paris offers a 2for1 show (Jubliee), 50 dining values and $50 casino match.

TI is a great location for a first timer, very close to Venetian, Mirage, Caesars and walkable to Bellagio where you can hop the monorail to the south strip.

TI is the only one of the 3 that has gotten the 4 star rating from AAA

Monorails are not operating. They are renovating the entire system to incorporate more hotels.

I suggest you stay at Ballys, Paris or Mirage. They are very centrally located to everything else.

The Mirage and TI are connected by their own monorail between the buildings, so if Mirage is a thought TI is just as convenient. We have stayed at TI for 8 years,at least twice a year and have no problems getting around to the other properties. We find the smaller size of TI easier to get aroud and are bvery comfortable there. Good service, friendly people and reasonable rates.

Have stayed at all three. I prefer Paris. Myhumble opinion.

I have stayed at the MGM and would not recommend it at all. It really is way too big. You really need to walk and walk to get to anything in the hotel and it's easy to get lost if you don't have a good sense of direction. Even the walk to the elevator felt like a hike. Besides the size, I didn't find anything special about the property.

I am going to LV next week and will be staying for the first time at TI, I got a suite at a great price. From everything I have read about TI I think it's a best bet.

Also worth a look is the Mirage, this is a very nice property, a geat location and an amazing pool area.

I just want to thank everyone for all the helpful info. (AKA;Westchester). We decided on TI during Memorial Day Week. Got a good promo..

Just got back last week We stayed at Treasure Island and really did like it there.I liked the lay out of the place. Not such a long walk to get to the rooms,from the lobby. The one thing that I didn't find was any really good places to eat at TI. But just across the street in the Venetian is the "Grand Lux". They have great food. Try their "Lemon extraviganza" desert. Big enough for two, and is to die for.