Macau is poised to have the largest Holiday Inn and Conrad in the world by April 11, and the largest Sheraton by September.
The three properties, together with Shoppes Cotai Central retail complex, are all part of Sands Cotai Central that will eventually add some 5,800 hotel rooms, 10,000 sqm of meeting space and 100 shops to the Cotai Strip.
Business Traveller has been invited to have a sneak preview of the mega tourism project that has involved US$8 billion of investment to date.
A Himalayan theme runs through the space, especially the entrance of the Holiday Inn, the gaming area and the Conrad’s lobby. The rooms of each of the property are decidedly distinct in style.
The more than 1,200 rooms and suites in Holiday Inn feature bright red bed covers as well as colourful abstract paintings. Every room also features a LED TV and a big work desk with a universal socket right above it.
The standard rooms are 37 sqm while a deluxe suite offers 104 sqm of space, with the bedroom featuring a small walk-in closet. The top-level 5-day suite is 186 sqm in size. The property also offers a dedicated meetings floor with 64 breakout rooms and a fully equipped business centre.
The 600 plus units at the Conrad are decorated in a more neutral tone, with green and chestnut brown being the two main colours used throughout. Delicate floral patterns feature on walls and curtains, as well as mounted art pieces.
Standard rooms are 37 sqm in size while a deluxe suit is 104 sqm. Each room has a high-definition LCD TV, an iPod/iPad dock, a large work desk with a universal socket as well as an in-room Nespresso machine – certainly a draw for the caffeine-addicted business traveller. The bathroom features Acca Kappa products and a Conrad rubber duck specially designed for this particular: it’s transparent and with two red dice inside.
Another important element of this property is the 39th floor club lounge, which offers 1,200 sqm of hangout and meeting spaces, as well as eight iMacs and a fully stocked bar. The windows look out to a commanding view of Cotai and, on a clear day, the Macau Tower.
Lounge access is complimentary to guests staying in suites, while others can enjoy it by paying a supplement of MOP500 (US$64) – certainly worth it considering that the lounge provides breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails that come with.
Other facilities in Conrad Macao include a health club fitted with Technogym equipment, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, and spa. For events, there are 48 separate conference, meeting and boardrooms with soundproofed partitions and capabilities for audio-visual presentations, satellite and videoconferencing and simultaneous translation.
Sheraton Macao is still very much under construction, but it is set to be the largest hotel in Macao when its doors open in September. There will be some 4,000 guestrooms and suites, and 9,290 sqm of function space – with its Kashgar ballroom alone catering up to 4,000 guests. It will have the largest Sheraton Club in the world, as well as the Shine Spa and Sheraton Core Fitness Center.
The opening of Holiday Inn Macao and Conrad Macao on April 11 will be marked by a major outdoor party and a high-wire walking act by Jade Kindar-Martin and his wife Karine Mauffrey, who used to tour with Cirque du Soleil.
Twenty-eight of the 100 shops in Shoppes Cotail Central, including Michael Kors and Sergio Rossi, will be ready, as will some of the dining outlets, most notably Dynasty 8 headed by chef Wong Man, formerly of two-Michelin Tim’s Kitchen.
There will also be the unveiling of a five-metre-tall God of Fortune statue at the Paradise Garden, an indoor green space with glass ceiling located between Holiday Inn and the Conrad.
For more information, visit www.sandscotaicentral.com
Reggie Ho
