This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of World Gaming magazine.
Taipa is buzzing with talk of the numerous new developments under construction. The latest project from Sands China Ltd (SCL) is Sands Cotai Central – an impressive vision that will offer something for everyone when it opens in spring this year.
The latest integrated resort offering from SCL will be located at the centre point of the Cotai Strip, hence the name Sands Cotai Central. Finally, industry people can stop calling the project “Parcel Five and Six”.
Sands Cotai Central will offer hotels, meeting and convention space, retail (including duty free) and entertainment and dining facilities. Those looking to enjoy the newest gaming rooms in Macau can also expect two themed casinos.
Who better to describe Sands China’s ongoing commitment to Macau than President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edward M Tracy, who addressed the most important people in Macau in late October 2011.
Sands China Ltd President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edward M Tracy
“We celebrate the latest milestone of Sands China Chairman, Sheldon Adelson’s vision for the Cotai Strip – further developing Macau into a leading business, leisure, travel and entertainment destination in the region and the world; with multiple brands, and multiple experiences.”
About Sands Cotai Central’s facilities
The focus of Sands Cotai Central is on diversity and it promises to offer a huge range of products and services on the Cotai Strip.
Some of these include:
- Affordable luxury hotels
- International live entertainment
- Luxury duty free shopping
- 1.2 million square-feet of retail, entertainment, dining facilities and convention space
- 92 new retail shops
- State-of-the-art conference and convention space
- 300,000 square-feet of new gaming space
- New gaming experiences
- Four ballrooms
- 2 spas
- 3 health clubs
- Over 20 dining options with a huge range of cuisines
- Abundance of natural light
- Cascading waterfall features
Everything on site will be easily accessible and the property will be linked by footbridge to both The Venetian and The Plaza. Naturally, you can still expect the same world-class service and products that all SCL properties offer.
Ideally located in the middle of the Cotai Strip, Sands Cotai Central is only a five-minute drive from Macau International Airport. It offers easy access to all parts of Macau, including cultural and heritage areas, ferry terminals and the mainland border. Complimentary shuttle buses will also service the property from all major travel points.
Accommodation
Sands Cotai Central will provide great accommodation options for people considering Macau as their preferred business, entertainment and leisure destination. The new development will add nearly 5,800 desperately needed rooms to the Macau landscape. To top it off, these three hotels will be the largest in the world for each of the three brands. This means the consumer is going to have more choice than ever before.
Conrad Macau
Conrad Macau will have over 600 spacious rooms in a 39 floor tower. It will be perfectly suited to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) scene with 48 separate and soundproof conference rooms and boardrooms. There will also be an emphasis on its health club and high-tech gymnasium. Conrad Macau is part of the Hilton Worldwide conglomerate, one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies. With a 92 year history, Hilton Worldwide offers business and leisure travellers a choice of 615,000 rooms in 3,750 hotels across 84 countries. They also offer an excellent loyalty program.
Sheraton Macau Hotel
The Sheraton Macau will be Macau’s largest hotel with nearly 4,000 well-appointed guest rooms and suites. It will also be one of the jewels in the crown of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide portfolio. Sheraton is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,058 properties in 100 countries and territories. The company also boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights. One of the most impressive features of their loyalty program is that there are no blackout dates.
Holiday Inn Macau
The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) operates the Holiday inn brand, which focusses on catering to families and groups of people travelling together. The hotel will feature a wonderfully relaxing garden and pool area. The business traveler will be well taken care of with a fully equipped business centre and a dedicated meetings floor with 64 breakout rooms. IHG manages Priority Club Rewards, the world’s first and largest hotel loyalty program, with almost 60 million members worldwide. With 656,000 rooms, IHG is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms.
Shoppes Cotai Central
In terms of retail, the Sands Cotai Central development will include 92 intimate boutiques and galleries to form what will become known as Shoppes Cotai Central. Shoppes Cotai Central will join the Grand Canal Shoppes and the Shoppes at the Four Seasons to increase SCL’s total retail offering at Cotai to nearly 600 stores. This is the city’s biggest shopping location and will include some exciting first-to-market brands for Macau.
Meetings and conventions
Sands Cotai Central is aiming to be the largest and most professionally run corporate destination in Macau. With the hotel offerings of Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn, corporate customers will be provided a new level of accessibility and affordability on the Cotai Strip. Corporate events are a niche industry and must offer clients state-of-theart facilities along with a wide range of activities to enjoy once the day’s conferencing is over. This will all be covered at Sands Cotai Central.
Dining
Diversity is again the key word at Sands Cotai Central. The modern day discerning guest wants to be treated to a unique food experience and this venue will offer it in spades.
A variety of restaurants will feature a selection of international tastes including delicious seafood, fragrant curries and Italian and Mediterranean delights. The full spectrum of modern and traditional Chinese cuisine will be covered, and for something quick and easy, an international food court will also be available.
Sands Cotai Central is sure to satisfy the appetite of anyone seeking authenticity and variety, including the very best of Macau and its rich Portuguese history. You won’t have to travel all around the city to find what you are looking for.
Visit www.sandscotaicentral.com to find out more about this exciting new development and the many amenities and features it will offer.
