THE ART of WINNING
Eleanor Lam talks success, selfies and sumptuous meals at Morpheus, City of Dreams, Macau
There’s one building in Macau that dominates the skyline and that’s Morpheus at City of Dreams, which opened in June 2018. A property like no other, the hotel was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid. Inside, you’ll find luxury and innovation in the form of futuristic guest rooms and suites, and world-class dining and shopping. We invite food lover and fashionista Eleanor Lam to talk about her passions as she explores and stays the night at this hotel, which is fast becoming a new icon of the Macau cityscape. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE? I would say graduating from Pepperdine was a big highlight for me, along with being a debutante at the internationally renowned Bal des Débutantes in 2015. Professionally, I’m excited to be working in the family business as assistant vice-president at Media Asia. I’m proud to follow in the family footsteps, but also to have my own voice as a regional influencer with my love of fashion, food and travel. HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? I think success is a relative term as people have different definitions. For me, it’s about finding a personal goal or an achievement in something that makes you happy, setting that goal, and then working hard towards achieving it. WHAT IS THE GREATEST AWARD YOU HAVE EVER WON? The greatest thing I could ever win is the respect of my parents. I want my parents to not only respect me but also to be proud. Being successful on your terms is a great achievement. WHAT WERE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO DURING YOUR STAY AT MORPHEUS? As a big foodie, I was looking forward to trying the various restaurants at Morpheus, especially Alain Ducasse at Morpheus, Yí, and the Pierre Hermé Lounge. They were even better than I imagined. I was also eager to see the dynamic design of the hotel and how it stands apart from others in Macau, as it really is unique. AS A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER, WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO TAKE THAT PERFECT INSTAGRAM PHOTO AT MORPHEUS? There are so many great photo spots everywhere you go in this hotel. Look out for some funky walls and unusual seating. The Morpheus lobby is ideal, as it has so much natural light pouring in and, together with the spectacular architecture, it makes for an incredible backdrop. WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS AND FANS DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m a huge TV junkie and love to relax with Netflix. People know that I’m a huge foodie, but they might not know just how interested I am in how dishes are put together. My guilty pleasure is cooking shows. I love Iron Chef, Top Chef, Master Chef—i’ve seen them all. AS A GLOBETROTTER, WHAT ARE SOME STANDOUT FEATURES OF MORPHEUS THAT MAKE IT UNIQUE AS A HOTEL? I love the clean, consistent theme of art and architecture merging into one. It’s a very modern building with such a striking design that really stands out. There is a lot of glass and natural sunlight, which I like as well. From the restaurants to the spa, casinos and shopping, you can relax in your own cocoon or indulge, as everything is so well-connected. Dining is also a vital part of any hotel experience and the options at Morpheus are world-class. From contemporary haute cuisine at Alain Ducasse at Morpheus to French pastries at the Pierre Hermé Lounge, there is something for every taste.
YOUR PARENTS HAVE ACHIEVED INCREDIBLE THINGS IN THEIR LIFETIME. WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE THEY HAVE GIVEN YOU? Like every parent, mine want to instil good values in me. They’ve helped me to realise that not everything is a given; you need to work hard to be able to support yourself because they won’t be here forever. My mum taught me that the one thing that no one can ever take away from you is your knowledge and experience. Wealth, family and friends will come and go, but your knowledge of what you have experienced will stay with you always. Morpheus at City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau, +853 8868 8888, cityofdreamsmacau.com