Macao opens $2 billion resort with an enormous copy of London’s Big Ben

Tourists in Asia now not need to take long haul flights to go to the UK’s Big Ben or to snap a shot of London’s iconic red double-decker bus.

They’ll now do the identical in Macao, the so-called Las Vegas of Asia.

The Londoner Macao, a British-themed luxury casino resort within the Chinese gambling hub, held its grand opening ceremony on Thursday.

And English football celebrity David Beckham was there to grace the event. 

The Chinese gambling city has added one more luxury casino resort along Cotai Strip, a term that Las Vegas Sands uses to consult with an alley lined with hotel casinos, shopping centers and theaters.

“You possibly can’t get a greater hotel room than what we have put within the Londoner. You possibly can’t improve spa experience, you may’t improve food experience,” Las Vegas Sands CEO Robert Goldstein told CNBC on Thursday.

He said the opening of hotel “exemplifies our commitment to quality,” and added: “The rooms are nearly as good as they’re anywhere on the earth.”

The resort has been operational for the last two years, but its opening was delayed on account of strict Covid-19 restrictions and travel rules.  

The $2 billion resort holds replicas of the UK’s iconic buildings. They include the Palace of Westminster, the British prime minister’s official residence on 10 Downing Street, and the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, amongst other monuments in London.

Las Vegas Sands owns The Londoner Macao, together with The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Sands Maco, and The Plaza Macao & 4 Seasons Hotel Macao — all positioned along the Cotai Strip, the corporate website showed. 

Replicas of famous European landmarks just like the Eiffel Tower and Venice’s grand canal may be seen at the opposite hotels. 

Goldstein is proud that the posh resort developer has brought Italy, France and England to Macao, a Chinese special administrative region. 

“Who doesn’t love Paris? It appeared like a natural fit to me to complete off the triumvirate of Italian, French, after which English,” Goldstein said. 

The most important highlight for visitors to The Londoner Macao is little doubt the “Changing of the Guard entertainment extravaganza,” in keeping with the resort’s website. It was launched Thursday night through the opening ceremony.

Taking reference from the Changing of the Guard ceremony that happens at Buckingham Palace, the performance on the resort will happen six days per week and involve over 20 dancers and musicians. 

Visitors may also have a taste of London by indulging in an Alice in Wonderland inspired afternoon tea, or hop into the classic black cab for a virtual experience where Beckham drives through his favorite spots in town. 

When one thinks of Macao, the primary thought is commonly gambling at casinos. But town has transformed beyond that, and now offers a distinct experience for each visitor. 

Goldstein said that 20 years ago, people in Hong Kong couldn’t imagine that Macao could have retail, restaurants, spas, conventions, and hotels.

Today, no one questions the expansion of Macao any more, he said emphasizing that Macao is a really “dominant and necessary” market. 

The casino operators awarded the concessions agreed to collectively invest about $15 billion over the subsequent 10 years, to assist Macao diversify its reliance from gambling and boost international tourism.