This article first appeared in the Jul/Aug 2012 issue of World Gaming magazine.
Phase 2 of the Galaxy Macau‘s multi-billion dollar program looks set to shoot the integrated casino resort into the rarified air of the luxury stratosphere.
With the 26 April 2012 announcement in Hong Kong of the second phase of its award-winning integrated resort, the Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) are adding to an already incredible resumé. The fact this announcement came early and that they are welcoming another two world-class hotel chains to their already impressive accommodation list will have many of Galaxy’s competitors very scared indeed.
Not surprisingly, it was with great relish Dr Lui Chee-woo, Chairman of GEG, commented on another project that will add further development to the Macau landscape.
“Building on the enormous success of the internationally acclaimed Phase 1 of Galaxy Macau, and the healthy long-term prospects for Macau, we are delighted to announce our plans for Macau’s next major development: Phase 2 of Galaxy Macau.”
“We have decided to accelerate the rollout of phase 2 based on the success of phase 1 and to align the opening of phase 2 with the completion of major infrastructure developments in the greater Macau region in mid 2015. These developments will serve as a catalyst for future growth and diversi cation of Macau’s tourism and leisure market.”
Not only is phase 2 going to virtually double the size of Galaxy Macau, but it has also attracted two of the biggest names in world-class hotels in the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriot. President of Marriot International, Mr Simon Cooper, seems particularly happy about expanding their Asia-Paci c operations and shared Dr Lui’s sentiments.
“We are very excited to be launching our brands in Macau. Macau is a compelling and dynamic market and we have invested a great deal of time identifying the right partner and property for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott. GEG and the Lui family are bold innovators who understand the market and their customers intrinsically; for us they are the perfect partners. We fully subscribe to GEG’s ‘World Class, Asian Heart’ philosophy which resonates with Marriott International’s core values and The Ritz-Carlton hallmark Gold Standards. China is our main market outside North America and opening two of our premier brands on the same site in such a fast growing market is a major commitment, underscoring our con dence in Macau and Galaxy.”
World Gaming will keep you posted on the exciting phase 2 developments as they come to hand. Here are a few facts and figures that we already know:
- The additional 1,300 rooms and suites will see Galaxy Macau o ffer over a grand total of 3,600 rooms and suites across five luxury hotels.
- Shoppers will be spoilt for choice with retail outlets expanding to include over 200 luxury stores.
- Visitors will not go hungry with over 45 new international food and beverage outlets opening to bring the grand total at Galaxy Macau to over 100.
- Forget outer space, it’s all about inner space with the increasing meeting, event and banquet space catering for an impressive capacity of over 3,000 guests.
- This extra space also gives Galaxy Macau room to expand their gaming capacity by up to 500 tables and over 1,000 slots.
- Galaxy Macau already boasts the world’s largest skytop wave pool, which will be enhanced with additional leisure amenities and lush tropical gardens.
All this luxury comes at a price though, with the proposed investment for phase 2 costing approximately HK$16 billion, though this will be funded by GEG’s existing operations. Construction has already launched, with a scheduled target completion date of mid 2015 making this probably next major development to open in Macau. Will phase 2 see Galaxy Macau become the greatest casino in the world? Some may argue that it already is, but we will all have to wait until 2015 to see the reality of this incredible vision.
