The opulent and luxurious MGM Cotai, the latest addition to the MGM’s portfolio in China and the integrated resort is a seamless mélange of art, entertainment, food cutting edge technology and hospitality. Travel writer Bindu Gopal Rao checks in to the MGM Cotai experience.
The resort built with a staggering investment of US$3.4 billion, the exterior façade of the imposing MGM Cotai is in three shades of gold – yellow, white and rose; the same colour tones that you can find across the interiors as well. The interiors of the hotel are overwhelming with expansive lobbies (yes they have multiple) and innovative concepts like an in house Art gallery -The Spectacle and MGM Theater, Asia’s first dynamic theater with resident shows and more.
Getting Roomy
The ultra-luxurious hotel has a whopping 1390 rooms and suites including 1248 Resort Rooms (43 to 51 square meters), 99 suites (87 to 94 square meters), 16 Skylofts (128 square meters) and 27 The Mansion Villas (215 to 570 square meters). These well-appointed and spacious Resort Rooms have a spread out functional layout with a study table, bed and separate shower and toilet areas and a bathtub.
With luxury MGM amenities, latest technology, natural wood floors and more, many of these rooms offer views of the other buildings in the area. Interestingly most buildings are lit up in the night lending a completely different room view in the night.
The Resort Premier View Room has similar facilities with panoramic views of the Cotai Strip complete with fountains and colourful horizons. Guests who check into the Skyloft rooms have exclusive access to the Sky Lounge located on the 33rd and 35th floors as well as dedicated check-in and concierge facilities. And a stay at the Skylofts Duplex is like a room in the sky with the top notch service and dramatic, spectacular views of the glitzy skyline.
Dine in Style
When you check into the MGM Cotai, you will be spoilt for choice as far as gastronomic indulgences are concerned. With nine dining concepts helmed by world famous culinary chefs this is where authentic and international cuisines are interpreted and reinterpreted to take you on a gastronomic journey like no other.
At Chún the 146 cover fine dining restaurant you can tuck into authentic and creative Cantonese cuisine with some premium ocean food with a décor to match. A certified tea master at the Tea Bar can recommend a selection of fine premium teas to enjoy your meal as well.
Five Foot Road is the place to head to if you love your spices especially the Sichuan chili and peppercorn. A set menu is available to ease matters. Hao Guo the 168 cover restaurant is the place to sample the famed seafood hotpot while at Miàn Duì Miàn you can enjoy delicious handmade noodles and dumplings.
Aji, the 119 cover restaurant is the first Nikkei cuisine in Macao and the menu is designed by Peru’s acclaimed Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura. The all-day diner where the complimentary breakfast is served to in house guests, Coast has a relaxed vibe and the contemporary cuisine from the stables of award-winning Chef Graham Elliot, has a distinct Californian undertone.
And if you want to experience a menu designed by a Michelin two star award winning chef, the 196 cover Grill 58 restaurant serves food from Chef Mauro Colagreco and is known for its premium steaks and fine wines. And wash it all down with a selection of crafted cocktails that use ingredients like Chinese herbs and tea at Bar Patuá or sip on fresh coffee at Starbucks first ever store Starbucks Reserve™ Coffee Experience Bar in Macao. You must also indulge your sweet tooth at Janice Wong MGM where you can tuck into homemade Italian gelato, handmade chocolates and sublime cakes.
Experiences Galore
Within the sprawling complex of the resort there is much to do. Asia’s first dynamic theater, MGM Theater showcases resident shows using cutting edge technology that will bring you some unique multisensory experiences. To relax head to the in house Tria spa that offers a bouquet of treatments from traditional wellness therapies luxurious rituals from the world. You can also give yourself a makeover with their HydraFacial treatments.
Health freaks will love the state of the art gym that has a range of advanced Technogym equipment. And shopaholics will rejoice as there is a 50000 square feet retail therapy with over 35 shops. These include Bell & Ross, Buccellati, Challenger, Circle K Convenience Store, Calvin Klein, Inc., COCCINELLE, Corum, T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Ed Hardy, FLEURI, Leader Watch & Jewelry, Life by Original, LOVE MOSCHINO, Neil Barrett, Old House Gallery, UM Club, UM Junior by WFH, Under Armour and Wing Mei. Also available are the 3000 square meter space for meetings and conferences including a pillar less ballroom that can accommodate over 1000 guests.
Art Attack
One of the most unique things is that it houses a unique art collection of over 300 pieces of art that bridges the East and West. All guests can be part of complimentary guided art tours that are available on request every day at 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00. Special mention must be made of The Chairman’s Collection artworks that include paintings, installations and sculptures that are a mix of Oriental aesthetics and Western influences by local and world artists. An interesting aspect here are the 28 beautiful carpets from the Forbidden City of Beijing from the Qing Dynasty of which only 300 are known to be available worldwide.
The Spectacle hosts the world’s largest permanent indoor LED screens that reflect digital art from across the world and huge live walls with over 100,000 plants and 2000 plant species. Spread over four stories spanning the length of a soccer field, the structure is a column free diagrid structure that is an engineering marvel. At the Lion Lounge there is a large collection of different kinds of lions and on the outside is the large real gold plated lion – the iconic symbol of the MGM brand. If there was anything that redefines luxury, it has to be a stay at MGM Cotai – try it and you will know how to holiday differently.
Address: Av. da Nave Desportiva, Macau
Phone: +853 8806 8888
Website: mgmcotai
Photography curtesy of MGM Cotai
