The Venetian Macao Casino Resort Hotel, China

The Venetian Macao Casino Resort Hotel complex became one of the largest hotels in Asia when it opened in August 2007. The $2.4bn resort replicates the famous architectural canals and icons of Venice, Italy.

Construction of the Venetian Macao started on the 80-hectare Cotai Strip site in late 2005, with outfitting in the final quarter of 2006. The hotel tower was completed in July 2007.

HOTEL FACILITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

The hotel casino has over 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet of convention space, three canals with gondolas, a Cirque du Soleil show, a 15,000-seat arena, a 2,000-seat showroom, a 1.6 million square foot mall with over 250 retail outlets, a 550,000ft² casino (3.400 slots and 800 tables) and a facade that is three times the size of its sister hotel in Las Vegas.

The hotel also features a main leisure area with multiple swimming pools and Jacuzzi baths as well as a V Spa and V Gym Fitness Centre.

In 2007, the resort held exhibition football matches between Manchester United and the Chinese football champions, Shenzen. In addition, Roger Federer played Pete Sampras in an exhibition tennis match in the 15,000-seat arena.

SUITES

The hotel offers only suites, with three different levels of comfort and size. The 70m² Royale Suites are split over two levels, with separate bedroom (king-size bed) and living accommodation. The Bella Suite offers all the facilities of the Royale, but has two queen-size beds.

The 170m² Rialto Suites are the most luxurious, with an enclosed bedroom and an open living space. Suite facilities include a choice of two queen-sized or one king-sized canopy-draped bed, sunken living room, full-size sofa sleeper, pillow and bath menus, deluxe marble bathroom with separate bath and shower, mini-bar, two large plasma televisions, high-speed internet access and personal silent fax/printer/copier.

COTAI STRIP DEVELOPMENT

The Cotai Strip is a master planned development of resort and casino properties with a $12bn investment to provide 20,000 hotel rooms by 2010. The Cotai Strip will feature hotels operated by some of the most prestigious names in the hotel industry, including Four Seasons, Sheraton, St. Regis, Shangri-La, Traders, Hilton, Conrad, Fairmont, and Raffles.

Las Vegas Sands Corp will own and construct each of the hotels as well as operate the casinos and entertainment venues in each hotel. Macau is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world and is one of the country’s wealthiest and most developed regions.

Around one billion people live within a three-hour flight to Macau. Over 18.7 million people visited Macau in 2005, with over half coming from China.

CONTRACTORS

The 40-storey hotel was built by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Pro Shing Construction Team Macau Limited provided sub-structural work.