Some hotels describe themselves as ‘modern’, when they simply are minimalist. Others profess innovation, to merely describe some now-standard audiovisual tech in the rooms. ‘Cutting-edge design’ is used almost ubiquitously in the description of any big-brand non-traditional venue. However, one recent addition to the Macau luxury hotel scene is an exception.
Step forward the Morpheus Hotel, in the City Of Dreams complex on the Cotai Strip.
Macau is often dubbed the Las Vegas of Asia. However, despite the obvious similarities in its layout, and several identical brands such as the Wynn, Venetian, and Paris occupying prime real estate, Macau and Cotai hold their own, with annual revenues regularly five to six times its Vegas mirror, and various titles such as World’s Largest Casino (The Venetian) and Highest-Grossing Casino (The Galaxy).
This makes it perfect fertile ground for The Morpheus – a stunning and truly futuristic hotel resort, opened in 2018 to much fanfare including being hailed as one of the World’s Greatest Places 2018 by TIME Magazine, just two months after its opening, and being named Building of the Year 2019 by ArchDaily, the world’s most visited architecture website.
It is a remarkable sight, and really one of the most beautiful & elegant, yet awe-inspiring buildings we’ve seen here at Destination Luxury. Weighing in at a cost of $1.1 billion to build, this modern masterpiece, designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid DBE is an ultra-luxury icon, exhibiting unique and intricate detail in every facet, flowing beautifully throughout the space like the warped and wonderful mind of a science-fiction genius. Yet there is nothing themed or tacky about this space – it is true modern luxury, state-of-the-art style, just as if you were stepping in to the vision of your next generation.
No detail has been missed among the 28,000 tons of structural steel (four times the amount of the Eiffel Tower) and the 48,000 sqm of glass. The world’s first free-form, exoskeleton-bound, high-rise architectural composition incorporates a number of architectural and technological breakthroughs. This carries through to the vendors, partners and service providers of the resort:
- the interior design handled exquisitely by Peter Remedios, full of geometric shapes, clean lines, muted earth, caramel, off-white and leather tones married with matt metallics, and accent lighting give a comforting yet high-tech essence to rooms, whilst the atrium and restaurants feature bold shapes, spiky scales and impossible arcs.
- the restaurants and bars are spearheaded by legendary chef Alain Ducasse, and World’s Best Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé, to suit discerning palates.
- Art installations are tastefully and boldly scattered throughout by renowned artist KAWS, Jean-Michel Othoniel and Thilo Heinzmann
- and the attractive staff look luxuriously fitting in their roles, with uniforms thematically designed by celebrity couturier Barney Cheng.
Once inside the rooms, guests used to a luxury lifestyle will appreciate the thoughtful branded amenities, from the Nespresso machines and Bernadaud chinaware in the lounge, to Hermes and Acqua Di Parma toiletries and Dyson hairdryer in the bathrooms, while Frette and Mühldorfer designer linens help you get a great night’s rest. The rooms and suites offer a sleek and tasteful design, which will have you appreciating the harmony of how each custom-designed piece of furniture fits and flows perfectly with the next. Nothing is an accident in this almost AI environment.
For those who like to shop, the luxury continues with the brands on offer in the adjacent mall, where you will find all the cutting-edge labels and design from fashion to skincare to electronics, many showcasing their unique, couture or limited edition offerings to the discerning and ultra-high-net-worth clientele.
For those craving more traditional entertainment, the nightly House of Dancing Water Show in the neighboring City of Dreams theater offers the paramount in human skill in acrobatics, diving, dancing and motorcycle stunts, featuring 80 talented performers from 25 different nations. Set within the world’s largest commercial pool, this incredible awe-inspiring show has wowed over 5 million spectators and continues to do so.
The Morpheus at the City Of Dreams is the new futuristic icon of the New Macau. The only thing you need to decide is when in your future you’ll see it with your own eyes.
Video by Darren Darnborough.
Photos by Darren Darnborough & courtesy of Melco Resorts & Entertainment.
Full disclosure: The Resort hosted the writer for the Show.