First Look at US$4.1 Billion Floral-Themed Wynn Palace in Macau

A US$4.1 billion luxury hotel that features an artificial lake, gondolas, a Jeff Koons art installation and rooms dripping in crystal is finally set to open its doors in Macau this week.

After six years of development, delays, and a cloud of uncertainty, the floral-themed Wynn Palace, one of the most anticipated luxury hotel openings of the year, will be unveiled in the casino capital of the world.

Over the last few years, an economic slowdown in China and Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign have led to a decline in Macau’s gambling revenues, causing opening delays and forcing hoteliers to revisit their projects.

Last fall, Wynn announced that its opening date, originally set for March 2016, would be pushed back to this summer.

Themed around flowers, the property features 1,700 rooms and large-scale floral displays including a Ferris wheel studded with 103,000 flowers by floral designer Preston Bailey.

Air-conditioned “SkyCabs” ferry guests across the eight-acre lake straight into the resort, which likewise features a collection of rare and contemporary art, including a bouquet of tulips à la Jeff Koons.

Designed with the high roller in mind, the hotel features the largest spa in Macau and an extravagant menu that includes facials using crushed diamonds and gold-leaf.

Top-tier Garden Villas span up to 743 square meters (8,000 square feet) and feature outdoor gardens, swimming pools, grand pianos, 24-hour butler service and two to three master suites.

Amenities are by Molton Brown, and audio systems by Bang & Olufsen.

Guests also have about a dozen dining options, including ramen from the world’s only Michelin-starred ramen chef Yuki Onishi, who designed the menu.

The Wynn Palace is the latest luxury resort to make a splash in Macau. Last year, Studio City Macau opened to much fanfare with celebrities like Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio appearing in a promotional video for the property.

Wynn Palace opens August 22 and is the company’s second integrated resort property in Macau, after Wynn Macau, which opened in 2006.