Sands China Ltd. held a grand celebration on May 25, 2023, to formally unveil The Londoner Macao after a two-year renovation and upgrade of the property, the company announced1. The event was themed "A New Journey" in Chinese-language reporting1 and "The Journey Begins" in an English account2, and it also marked the start of Sands China's new 10-year gaming concession2. David Beckham, the UK soccer figure and Sands global ambassador, attended as a guest of honor1.
The redevelopment of the resort, formerly Sands Cotai Central, cost approximately US$2 billion, or about MOP 16 billion1. Work had proceeded in phases since 20211. The completed property has nearly 6,000 rooms and suites across five hotels: The Londoner Hotel, Londoner Court, Conrad Macao, The St. Regis Macao and Sheraton Grand Macao1. It also includes three spas, four health clubs, more than 20 dining options, boutiques from 150 brands and the 6,000-seat Londoner Arena1.
The Londoner Macao's shopping mall connects to the Venetian, Parisian and Four Seasons malls, giving a combined 850 shops1. The property also features 14 David Beckham Suites on the top two floors of The Londoner Hotel, sized between 113 and 298 square meters and open only to invited guests1. Reporting describes them as Macau's first celebrity-designed suites, created with the interior design firm David Collins Studio1.
Sands China president Wilfred Wong said the lifting of pandemic restrictions allowed the company to finally stage the event1:
"新冠防疫措施現已逐步全面放寬，我們非常高興，終於可以正式為澳門倫敦人舉行盛大慶典，向世界展示我們團隊的努力和成果。"
Las Vegas Sands chairman and CEO Robert G. Goldstein said the company had delivered on founder Sheldon Adelson's vision for Cotai2:
"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."
Sands China has pledged to invest US$3.7 billion, or MOP 30.2 billion, in Macau over the next decade2. The celebration was attended by Macau officials including Edmund Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Lei Wai Nong, the SAR's Secretary for Economy and Finance2. Performers included pianist Lang Lang, singer G.E.M., musical theater artist Ayanga and jazz vocalist Jamie Cullum2.
What it means for players
The Londoner Macao sits on the Cotai Strip and is part of Sands China's Macau portfolio, which also includes The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Plaza Macao2. The completion adds hotel capacity, dining, retail and a 6,000-seat arena to the Cotai cluster1. The sources do not report any change to casino floor rules, entry requirements, table minimums or game offerings at the property. For details on who may enter Macau casinos and what is available inside, see Can I Gamble in Macau? and Casinos and Integrated Resorts in Asia: Who Can Enter, What You Can Play and the Rules Inside. For how Macau compares with other regional destinations, see Macau, Singapore, Manila, Genting and More: Asia's Casino Destinations Compared.
What happens next
Sands China's new 10-year gaming concession began alongside the celebration2. The company has pledged US$3.7 billion (MOP 30.2 billion) of investment in Macau over the next decade2. No further dated milestones for The Londoner Macao have been reported.
Sources2 sources
- 歷時兩年完成品牌升級改造 澳門倫敦人將於5月25日舉行盛大慶典 - 正報新聞, chengpou.com.mo
- The Londoner Macao Resort Celebrates Completion, hotelnewsresource.com
