Macao Celebrates the Launch of The Londoner Casinos and Resort

Macao has long been China’s very own Wonderland, a place where the strict taboos of mainland China are forgotten, and one can indulge in the decadence and entertainment of beloved Western gambling destinations such as Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.

“Macao or Macau? Did you know that ‘Macau’ is the Portuguese spelling of the region’s name, an affectation which harkens back to their days as a Portuguese colony. Macao is the original spelling which is used by the People's Republic of China.”

Despite recent reports outlining the devastating impact of the pandemic on Macao’s economy due to its reliance on tourism Sands China launched the first phase of its British-themed casino, The Londoner Macao.

 A Casino Reimagined

The Londoner Macao is an incredibly rich, if not somewhat garish, reimaging of the Sands Cotai Central integrated casino and resort.

Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China, said:

"We believe The Londoner Macao, like The Venetian and The Parisian before it, will become an instant, iconic landmark. 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.”

The transformation of the resort into a little Britain is breathtaking, as one would expect given its budget of $1.9 billion, with the first phase of the development showcasing a Victorian-style atrium complete with 33-metre-high stained-glass ceiling dubbed the Crystal Palace, lamp posts from the same era and a full-scale replica of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain found on Piccadilly Circus in London.

The entire venue is a love letter to British opulence thanks to the efforts of Hong Kong-based Steve Leung Design Group who outfitted The Londoner with marble nightstands, decadent oversized beds, stunning chesterfield sofas and of course era-correct bathtubs.

Bless It Like Beckham

To add even more UK flavour to the illustrious launch the event featured a special video message from none other than David Beckham.

Not only is Beckham the global brand ambassador for the Sands Resorts Macao but he also personally designed fourteen of the hotel’s 600 luxury suites. These ‘Suites by David Beckham’ represent the resorts first foray into celebrity designed suites and are expected to be available for booking later in 2021.

To further enhance the British focus of the establishment Beckham engaged the services of London-based design firm, David Collins Studio, to help him create suites that while high-end offered guests a warm and inviting experience.

Adelson Remembered

While the launch of The Londoner was an exciting spectacle, with the unveiling of a stunning edifice, messages from international celebrities, a rogue’s gallery of local politicians and gambling personalities not to mention a fantastic performance by the Macau Youth Orchestra, it was fitting that they took the time to pay tribute to the memory of Sheldon Adelson.

Adelson was the founder and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a controversial figure given his anti-online gambling stance, yet one who shaped the face of gambling not only in the United States but globally as the current multi-billion dollar development in Macao attests.

Adelson, who passed away in January 2021, was celebrated with a video tribute and a moment of silence.