Macao, Macao SAR, February 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Amid fanfare and spectacle, Sands China Ltd. launched the first phase of The Londoner Macao Monday evening with an opening ceremony at the integrated resort, featuring a special video message from Sands Resorts Macao global ambassador, David Beckham.
The Londoner Macao is Sands China’s bold British-themed reimagining of the Sands® Cotai Central integrated resort. Offering the best of British history and culture alongside a traditional yet contemporary hospitality experience, The Londoner Macao will continue to open progressively throughout 2021.
A highlight of Monday’s opening event was the venue itself – the ornate and elegant main lobby, dubbed the Crystal Palace. Designed in classic Victorian style, the glass and iron atrium features a 33-metre-high stained-glass ceiling that bathes the lobby in sunlight during the day and provides a panoramic view of the night sky after dark. Victorian-era lampposts line the patterned dark marble floor, whose centrepiece is the full-scale Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain featuring Anteros, the Greek god of selfless love, on its pinnacle.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd., said: “We believe The Londoner Macao, like The Venetian and The Parisian before it, will become an instant, iconic landmark in Macao. It is evidence of Mr. Adelson’s unwavering vision for the development of Sands China and the company’s commitment to invest in Macao. As a company firmly rooted in Macao, Sands China is proud to unveil The Londoner Macao as part of our continuing contribution to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Our sincere thanks go to the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Macao SAR government for their continued leadership and support, and to all our community partners for their cooperation and collaboration through the years.”
In addition to the Crystal Palace, the first-phase launch features new dining options, interactive London-themed attractions, and the opening of The Londoner Hotel – an all-suite tower featuring approximately 600 luxury suites.
Designed by Hong Kong-based Steve Leung Design Group, suite interiors are bright and contemporary with an upscale British ambiance, and feature marble nightstands, custom beds with plush fabric headboards, elegant chesterfield sofas, high-backed leather armchairs, and Victorian-style bathtubs.
The hotel’s top two floors incorporate 14 exclusive Suites by David Beckham, Macao’s first celebrity-designed hotel rooms, which launch later in 2021. Created by Sands Resorts Macao global ambassador David Beckham in collaboration with leading London interior design firm David Collins Studio, the suites capture the essence of a high-end London homestead, offering guests a unique luxury experience that provides warmth and charm.
Beckham commented: “The Londoner Macao is another exceptional property by Sands. Everything has been created so guests have the best experience possible and the attention to detail is like no other. This integrated resort feels very personal to me and being part of the development has been an incredible project – not only is it bringing my home town to Macao, but also the first David Beckham Suites. I can’t wait to be back in Macao to see it all – it looks spectacular.”
The 65-member Macau Youth Orchestra performed at Monday’s ceremony, as did the Sands China Choir, who sang an acapella rendition of one of the most recognisable British tunes of the last century, Queen’s operatic rock hit Bohemian Rhapsody.
The event also featured a video tribute in honour of company founder Sheldon G. Adelson, who passed away last month.
Monday’s opening ceremony was officiated by Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR; Ms. Yan Zhichan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Ms. Wang Dong, Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Mr. Adriano Marques Ho, Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region; Dr. Wilfred Wong, President of Sands China Ltd.; Mr. Grant Chum, Chief Operating Officer of Sands China Ltd.; and Mr. Antonio Ferreira, Managing Director of Venetian Macau Limited.
Representing an investment of US$1.9 billion (MOP 15.2 billion), The Londoner Macao will introduce additional integrated resort offerings progressively throughout 2021, including the Suites by David Beckham; Londoner Court, a luxury residential-style all-suite hotel; the rethemed Shoppes at Londoner; and the Londoner Arena.