Melco Resorts marks ‘grand opening’ of 149-room REM hotel at City of Dreams Macau

Casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd held on Tuesday a “grand opening” of its 149-room REM hotel at City of Dreams Macau, following an invitation-only launch in August. The REM hotel occupies the former Countdown tower at the Cotai casino resort. Melco Resorts had previously flagged an investment of circa US$125 million to remodel the 330-room Countdown into accommodation focused on high-end suites. The tower had closed for renovation in 2021. Tuesday’s ceremony was attended by Melco Resorts’ chairman and chief executive, Lawrence Ho Yau Lung; group president Evan Winkler; and City of Dreams Macau president Tim Kelly, according to a Wednesday press release. Speaking at the event, Mr Ho linked the investment to changing expectations among luxury travellers, including demand for privacy and personalised experiences. “Every one of our major counter-cyclical investments has been built on absolute confidence in Macau’s transformation and in a new generation of luxury travellers,” he stated, referring also to City of Dreams Macau, the venue’s resident show House of Dancing Water, and the Morpheus hotel. Mr Ho added that Melco Resorts would continue “reinventing” its integrated resorts. REM began welcoming guests through a private invitation-only programme in August. At that time, the company said the hotel would celebrate its grand opening in October, while Mr Ho told investment analysts that the property was being introduced gradually. Grammy Award-winning DJ Afrojack performed at the event The opening event also featured a number of celebrities, including City of Dreams’ global brand ambassador Jing Boran and singer Miriam Yeung, who performed at the ceremony. A poolside party featured performances by beatboxer Sky Winchester and DJ Afrojack, alongside demonstrations by BMX freestyle riders Daniel Dhers and Irek Rizaev. According to corporate information, REM’s accommodation is predominantly suites, spread across seven room categories. Its name refers to rapid eye movement, a stage of sleep associated with dreaming. The hotel’s largest accommodation is The Lair, a 1,200-square-metre (12,917-sq-feet) penthouse on the 30th floor, served by dedicated lifts. Its facilities include an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, an infrared sauna, a DJ booth and a bar, per the company. The Lair, Penthouse Suite Euphoria Suite Hypnotic Suite Premier Room Other room categories include The Haven, Hypnotic Suite, Euphoria Suite, Luminous Suite, Twilight Suite and Premier Room. The company said most room types offer in-room check-in with a dedicated butler. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a poolside all-day dining outlet, Reverie Café. The opening forms part of Melco Resorts’ investment in upgrading its Macau offering. Earlier this month, brokerage Texas Capital Securities identified the fuller opening of REM as a potential catalyst for revenue growth at City of Dreams Macau, as the hotel moves beyond its initial operating stages. The brokerage, however, downgraded Melco Resorts to a “hold” rating from “buy”, citing weaker visibility on the outlook for Macau gross gaming revenue (GGR). The institution also mentioned heightened competition for premium-mass players, and concerns over the company’s near-term earnings performance.