Key points
- In a move that’s making waves across the hospitality world, French hotel group Accor has officially planted its flag on the Las Vegas Strip by bringing the iconic Treasure Island resort into its rapidly expanding Handwritten Collection.
- For Accor, the property’s bold, whimsical identity made it an ideal addition to the Handwritten Collection, a brand that focuses on hotels with a unique sense of place and personality.
- With nearly half of those members based in Europe and strong representation from Asia and South America, the Las Vegas resort stands to benefit from a steady stream of global visitors, even as the U.
Hotel News: French Hotel Giant Makes a Strategic Gamble on the Strip
In a move that’s making waves across the hospitality world, French hotel group Accor has officially planted its flag on the Las Vegas Strip by bringing the iconic Treasure Island resort into its rapidly expanding Handwritten Collection. This strategic partnership with veteran casino mogul Phil Ruffin marks Accor’s first foray into Las Vegas and significantly strengthens its presence in the U.S. market.
Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas joins Accor’s Handwritten Collection, adding 2,884 rooms to its U.S. portfolio.
Image Credit: Accor
Until now, the only American member of Accor’s Handwritten Collection was the Hotel Stratford in San Francisco. With the addition of Treasure Island – now branded as TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection – Accor has instantly added 2,884 rooms to its U.S. portfolio and secured a foothold in one of the world’s most competitive and dynamic hospitality markets. According to this Hotel News report, the agreement reflects Accor’s renewed ambition to establish itself in key U.S. gateway cities and signals a deeper push into lifestyle-driven casino properties.
Why Treasure Island Was the Perfect Fit
Built in 1993, Treasure Island has long been a familiar sight along the Vegas Strip. The sprawling resort features panoramic skyline views, a 90,000-square-foot casino, a theatre that houses the long-running Mystère by Cirque du Soleil, and direct access to Fashion Show Las Vegas—the city’s largest shopping mall. Ruffin acquired the property from MGM Resorts in 2009 for $755 million and has since maintained its status as one of the Strip’s most recognizable and accessible destinations.
For Accor, the property’s bold, whimsical identity made it an ideal addition to the Handwritten Collection, a brand that focuses on hotels with a unique sense of place and personality. Camil Yazbeck, Accor’s Global Chief Development Officer, emphasized the importance of “playful spirit” and “storytelling,” which Treasure Island offers in abundance.
Expansion Strategy and Global Synergy
The acquisition isn’t just symbolic—it’s part of a wider U.S. growth blueprint. Accor’s Handwritten Collection now boasts 25 properties worldwide, with 35 more in the pipeline. The company’s decision to finally enter the U.S. in a major way reflects what Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin called a long-overdue step: “Twenty-five years ago, we should have played here,” he admitted recently at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum.
Yazbeck added that Accor’s international reach—especially its loyalty program with 100 million members—is a compelling asset for properties like Treasure Island. With nearly half of those members based in Europe and strong representation from Asia and South America, the Las Vegas resort stands to benefit from a steady stream of global visitors, even as the U.S. grapples with a downturn in international tourist spending.
A Gateway to More Casino Ventures
The Treasure Island deal could be just the beginning. Yazbeck described the move as “a natural evolution” in Accor’s vision of “augmented hospitality,” hinting that more casino-integrated hotels may be on the horizon. He confirmed that future expansions will depend on quality properties, strategic partnerships, and placement in gateway cities.
For now, the addition of Treasure Island sends a clear signal: Accor is done sitting on the sidelines when it comes to the American hospitality market. With one bold move, it has entered Las Vegas—and it plans to stay.
This debut marks a significant turning point not only for Accor but also for the evolution of lifestyle-oriented casino resorts in America. It offers a new template for how traditional gaming destinations can be revitalized under the leadership of global hotel brands. With more Handwritten Collection properties on the way, industry insiders are watching closely to see where Accor rolls the dice next.
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