Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Leisure

Size does matter: The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel.

Look up this tiny, 27-sq km-sized island on Google, on the Pearl River Delta on the typhoon-washed South China Sea. It neighbours prosperous Hong Kong, is a 50-minute ferry shot across the waves and is densely packed with some of the best architectural masterpieces this side of the winter sun. It’s named Macau and the Portuguese commanded it for over 400 years.

But Macau is more than just a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. It’s the flourishing gaming capital of Asia, and the world’s largest! And just how? The propensity for gambling (err…speculating, you see?) that the Chinese have always displayed as part of their traditional culture extends as a metamorphosing behemoth, exemplifying the glittering economic ethos ratified by Macau’s gaming attractions.

So when the Big Daddy of them all traipses across the Pacific all the way from Nevada, U.S. in search of an Oriental El Dorado, there was this earlier enterprise that was flourishing, and earning enough to create a world class resort….and the gigantic Las Vegas Sands Corporation sensibly pitched in their mega ambitions here: The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. The world’s largest, totally state-of-the-art, “Integrated Resort” under one sky, containing everything imaginable in the world of total leisure and entertainment. It’s perhaps the most bewildering and breathtaking accomplishment of one man’s desire to recreate the essence and physical being of one of the world’s most romantic cities, Venice, Italy.

Sheldon Adelson, keenly futuristic and irrepressibly romantic, on a honeymoon with wife Miriam in Venice was completely bowled over by the sheer artistry and poignant romance woven into its unique canal-furrowed layout and so, in keeping with this keen ambition that fuelled the creation of a living replica across the oceans and continents, gave birth to his runaway success, his Las Vegas model transported onto Chinese shores. So was born The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel.

I was silenced into open-mouthed awe by the sheer magnitude and scale of everything. The second largest building on earth, the world’s biggest casino with 5,46,000 square feet space, 6,000 slot machines, a 3,000, all-suites glorious guest accommodation with the world’s smartest state-of-the-art amenities….over one million sq ft of convention and meeting spaces and facilities, 300+ speciality retail shops, a mind-boggling 15,000-seat indoor performing arts and sports Venetian Arena, over 30 fine dining restaurants and literally, many miles to go before you can sleep! And you’ve got to see it to believe it.

I took time off to stroll through the various areas, taking in the profusion of art expressions reflecting Renaissance glory and the magnificent décor elements. No inch of construed and erected space has gone untouched; Venetian glory radiates in thrilling Murano glass craftsmanship, gorgeous custom-designed chandeliers, filigreed glass objects and installations, the spontaneity of Italy and indeed Venezia’s art maestros resplendent in wall friezes.

My Edwardian-flavoured suite overlooked the wide sweep of Macau airport and the Cotai Strip looming progressively over the horizon. Within the living confines, two plasma V sets merrily shared company with brocade-tasselled cushions, silky-soft linen and a liberal split level interior layout, complemented by a King bed and luxuriously bowing overhead canopy.

The Venetian Macao overwhelms you with sheer size, often mistaken for over-the-top expressions of enterprising aggression….exhibition floor space in excess of 74,000 square meters and on two levels above, three 490-feet-long Grand Canals and their shopping features extending as far as what you encounter along St. Marks’ in Venice, is, to say the least, mind-boggling! It’s a dream come true, while you take your pick of the world’s finest designer labels and premium wares through the endless array of speciality boutiques.

I preferred to leave my gaming skills at the Casino for another time. Instead I walked out onto the giant courtyard. A gentle breeze and a full moon lit up the boulevard, the clock tower silhouetting a clear sky, the arches and facia of Venice’s opulent architecture coming alive in crisp cinematic wide angle. I raised my glass in salute.

From Mumbai one can fly to Hong Kong International Airport via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The Turbojet high speed Sea express ferry zips you across the South China Sea to Macau in 50 minutes. Alternately for those in a hurry, a helicopter service takes you from Hong Kong to Macau Ferry terminal in 30 minutes. Reliable cabs are the best way to get around this small but vibrant city.

The currency is the Pataca, equivalent to the HK dollar (Rs. 6 per HK dollar), which is also widely accepted. Places to look up in Macau are the Macau Tower with fabulous harbour and city views, the UNESCO-Declared World Heritage Sites like St. Paul’s Ruins, Senado Square, Lilau Square, the Guia Fortress, The Moorish barracks, The Mandarin’s House. There are high-end hotels like “The Sands Macau” and other budget hotels for choice.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail