High rollers! Impressive
Monica Galetti and Giles Coren check in to the Las Vegas of Asia
The gambling capital of the world, Macau boasts opulent and high-tech casinos and hotels that have helped earn its reputation as the Las Vegas of Asia.
To find out what draws millions of Chinese visitors to this self-governing city on the south-east coast of China, chef Monica Galetti and journalist Giles Coren join the high rollers by checking into Macau’s state-of-the-art MGM Cotai hotel as Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby returns.
‘Macau leaves Vegas in the dust!’ says Monica, best known for co-presenting Masterchef: The Professionals. ‘Every year it rakes in double or triple as much in gambling revenue.’
The MGM Cotai, which cost a staggering $3.4 billion to construct, boasts 1,390 rooms, 6,000 staff and eight restaurants. However, it’s more affordable than some accommodation in the series, with the penthouse suites Monica and Giles stay in, complete with pool table, costing £340 per night. ‘It’s to entice people to the casinos,’ explains Giles, who’s recruited to help create the hotel’s floral displays, while Monica has a noodlemaking lesson.
The striking exterior is decorated in shades of gold – yellow, white and rose. While inside, it boasts its own art collection, a ‘spectacle atrium’ the size of a football pitch, and even a Lamborghini dealership!
‘It was designed to look like Chinese jewellery boxes stacked on top of each other,’ explains Monica, who reckons she knows what the MGM stands for. ‘It’s Monica Galetti’s Mansion!’