TOWER of DREAMS
With its extraordinary architecture and top dining and retail options, the new Morpheus in Macau is redefining the luxury hotel experience
Morpheus is Macau’s latest landmark, a one-of-a-kind resort at the City of Dreams complex designed by Zaha Hadid. Named after the shape-shifting Greek god of dreams, Morpheus is a fitting legacy for the late Iraqi-british architect, known for her futuristic free-flowing designs. Much more than just another building, the unconventionally crafted sculpture merges Hadid’s innovative style with outstanding amenities to create a dreamlike escape for discerning guests.
FREE FLOW
In stark contrast to the Cotai Strip’s many tributes to centuries-old architecture, the US$1.1 billion Morpheus stands out from the city’s skyline with its sensuous curves and sci-fi aesthetic. Billed as the world’s first free-form high-rise architecture, the otherworldly design features a dramatic glass and steel facade, a sculptural design inspired by the ancient Chinese artistry of jade carving. The eye-catching focal point of this architectural marvel is a series of voids that traverse the centre of the hotel, forming two distinct towers connected by two sky bridges.
DESIGN AESTHETIC
The genius of the design of the 40-storey structure becomes apparent when you step inside to discover a clever, cavernous kaleidoscope of voids and spaces that immerse guests in the hotel’s unique aesthetic. An astounding 35-metre-high atrium with lustrous fixtures and geometric shapes greets guests, enabling them to look directly up into the lower void. Within the open-plan layout, 12 glasssided panoramic lifts emphasise the height of the white-marble lobby and provide spectacular views of both the dynamic interior and the Macau cityscape outside. Between the free-form voids that traverse the atrium, soaring bridges create spaces for the hotel’s elegant shops, celebrity restaurants, bars and guest lounges.
PERSONAL STYLE
The hotel’s retail emporium, Morpheus Boutique, is designed to engage, excite and inspire the shopper, showcasing streetwear, fashion, fragrances, travel goods, electronic gadgets, home decor, jewellery and much more in five differently themed zones. Featuring a carefully curated selection of merchandise from brands such as Thom Browne, Repossi and Proenza Schouler—all available for the first time in Macau and all exclusive to Morpheus Boutique—the retail emporium also offers on-demand giftwrapping and hot-stamping services that add a personal touch to gifts, keepsakes and such, catering to experience-driven shoppers who value quality and individuality.
SWEET DREAMS
France’s Pierre Hermé, named World’s Best Pastry Chef at the 2016 World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, has created a world of tastes and sensations at Morpheus with the first Pierre Hermé Lounge in China. Guests can expect a true Parisian experience at the lounge, which features iconic pastries, light and healthy fare, traditional salon de thé treats, and unique plated desserts all executed with Hermé’s signature design process. For the ultimate indulgence, decadent delicacies are prepared tableside by the resident pastry chefs. The lounge also boasts a tantalising range of creative cocktails. The
breakfast and room-service menus at Morpheus also offer exclusive Pierre Hermé creations.
DOUBLING DOWN
Paying further homage to the great traditions of French gastronomy, Morpheus and legendary French chef Alain Ducasse have collaborated on two side-by-side dining destinations, plus a bar, that redefine how guests experience high-end hospitality. Alain Ducasse at Morpheus serves the signature expression of French cuisine that has made the chef famous around the world. Meanwhile, Voyages by Alain Ducasse is a new concept offering a unique take on Asian cuisine inspired by the Michelin maestro’s travels over the past 30 years, as well as his most recent culinary discoveries, ranging from lettuce broth with sea scallop and gold caviar to blue fin tuna with Indonesian satay sauce. The restaurant’s chief sommelier has crafted a wine list that highlights the best vineyards from the old and new worlds, while mixologists at the bar will whip up concoctions, including Martinis and Bellinis, with a distinct Asian twist.