The $2 billion British themed Londoner resort on Macao’s Cotai Strip has been opening in stages since 2021, however, since China’s strict zero-Covid policies were only lifted at the beginning of the year, the resort could not fully open until now.
Among the guests officiating the grand inauguration ceremony on 25 May was UK football icon David Beckham who, according to CNN, was involved in designing several of the high end suites on the property.
Part of the Sands Resorts Macao, the Londoner comprises no less than 5 lavish hotels, with nearly 6,000 rooms and suites in total. Moreover, the site encompasses three spas, four health clubs, more than 20 dining options, boutiques from 150 world-renowned brands and state of-the-art conference facilities, including a new 6,000-seat arena.
“Sands China has delivered on Sheldon Adelson’s vision through the ongoing development of Cotai. Where 250 acres of empty reclaimed land once sat, we have built one of the world’s leading tourist destinations with an incredible future ahead of it”, said Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Robert G. Goldstein. “We are excited to fully support the Macao government in its vision to develop a highly diversified tourism industry through enhanced MICE offerings, new sporting and cultural event programming, enhancements to Macao’s reputation as a global City of Gastronomy and an embrace of the city’s unique cultural heritage.”
Offering a global take on English style, the aesthetics of the resort are inspired by “everything from Mayfair clubs to Cool Britannia chic”, including an imposing façade modelled after the Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament that comes to life in the evenings with the Londoner Light and Sound Spectacular and a life-size replica of London’s iconic Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) that chimes every hour.
To truly bring the London experience to life, a costumed “Changing of the Guard” performance inspired by the daily ceremony at Buckingham Palace was added to the entertainment offer this year.
The resort also features a glass-covered porte-cochère entrance, modelled after a similar feature at London’s Victoria Station, the Crystal Palace atrium – a version of the Victorian design icon in glass, iron and marble with an intricate, 10-story-high ceiling and a full-scale reproduction of the famed Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with its Anteros Statue in London’s Piccadilly Circus.
