Baldwin Ho visits Capella at Galaxy Macau and discovers a gilded sanctuary awash with tropical elements. Below, read his take on the exceptional suites, personalised service, and fine dining options.
Seven-star hotel experiences are rare to come by. Think Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Think La Mamounia in Marrakech. Few will dispute that they are the finest hotels in the Middle East and Africa. Adding to this pantheon of ultra-luxury hotels is Capella at Galaxy Macau. Galaxy Macau™ Integrated Resort has delivered a hotel that is likely to be the most luxurious hotel in Asia.
Galaxy Macau™ Integrated Resort has spared no expense in hiring renowned design duo Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille to deliver on their "gilded jungle" concept. Their agency has famously designed and remodelled over 500 Cartier boutiques worldwide since 2002. They've also worked on private residences for Karl Lagerfeld, among others, using their "quiet luxury" style to tremendous effect.
This is evident in the hotel’s lobby and suites, where soothing, undulating curves enhance the overall aesthetic experience. It also satisfies the feng shui demands of their gaming clientele. Elsewhere, Bruno uses lighting as a powerful tool in much of his work, including the lift lobby’s exterior window which has been crafted from light blue-hued glass. This design detail has also been incorporated into every Capella penthouse’s winter garden, acting as a morning filter that delivers an extra dose of wellbeing and serenity.
Macau was once covered in evergreen tropical forests and dense vegetation which was removed during urban development. From the moment you step inside the hotel, you are transported back to the original verdant landscape. There is a feature column conceived as a tree of life alongside striking curved lines and soothing water elements that create a calming urban oasis. A digital installation appears across the 150-metre undulating LED walls depicting a jungle narrative shifting from day to night. Pause for a moment and watch as images change gradually from morning light, mist, and rainfall through to twinkling night skies, all brought to life by Lala Curio.
As you enter your two-bedroom or four-bedroom Capella Penthouses, the first thing that catches your eye is the private curved-front infinity pool. At 11 metres in length, it is sizeable enough for a morning workout. Alternatively, you can enjoy a floating breakfast in the privacy of your own suite overlooking the cityscape. What is remarkable about the design is that it feels more residential than hotel-like. There are separate areas for the dining table, the living room, the winter garden, the games room, the multimedia/karaoke room, and the gym.
Ornate touches pepper the space, including a foosball table, a cocktail-making set in the dining room, a 1935 anniversary edition Illy espresso machine, and a Bugatti kettle. For those seeking to top up their hydration, there’s also a drinks trolley stocked with Alain Milliat juices and Saicho sparkling teas.
Lala Curio also contributed to an unmissable part of the suite - the luminous, vibrant wallpaper. It is a continuous landscape of an exotic jungle rather than any repeating patterns. In the bathroom, meanwhile, mesmerising marble panelling in either deep jade or ruby-red luxuriously hug the walls. Even a short stay at Capella at Galaxy Macau will likely have you plotting your next interior design project.
Your dedicated butler is likely the first staff member you encounter at the hotel. They will pick you up from your chosen arrival point, whether that be in Hong Kong or Macau, before chauffeuring you in style straight to the resort. With the 24-hour butler service, personalisation is the order of the day.
The mere mention of wanting to try Macanese egg tarts, and you will likely find them in your suite when you return. They will obtain goggles for you if you wish to swim, and drop off some Alain Milliat flower honey if you develop a slight cough. To top it all off, they’re also extremely discreet. They only tend to appear as you leave or return to your suite. It is this personal touch that truly helps to catapult Capella at Galaxy Macau towards a seven-star experience.
The hottest opening on the restaurant scene will undoubtedly be chef Vicky Cheng's restaurant at the hotel, which is due to open its doors later in the year. Vicky Cheng has already won countless accolades with his Hong Kong restaurants, Vea and Wing, including numerous Michelin stars and ranking among Asia’s 50 Best and World's 50 Best.
In the meantime, they have Botanica, a restaurant that seeks to enhance the connection between gastronomy and botanicals. Think an elegant butter-seared toothfish with lemon and vierge sauce, and an iced tea lemon sorbet with almond sponge and limoncello. Even when it comes to casual dining, the experience is exceptionally well-curated. The resort is connected to the overall Galaxy Macau complex with over 120 dining options, so even the most demanding of culinary connoisseurs will likely leave satisfied.
For an elegant nightcap, a visit to their Pony & Plume bar is a must. The equestrian-themed bar boasts one of the most extensive whisky collections in the region, with more than 650 premium labels curated by their consultant, Blair Bowman. For music lovers, they also offer the largest live band at any bar in Macau.
A stay at Capella at Galaxy Macau is made all the more special thanks to the emphasis on cultural immersion. Guests receive guided tours of historic parts of Macau included with their stay. Of particular interest is a visit to traditional Lai Chi Vun where guests can learn more about Macau’s shipbuilding history. The hotel has restored the site and transformed it into a museum, allowing visitors to briefly experience old Macau’s bygone era.
They also have an array of daily Capella rituals such as baijiu tasting during which guests are invited to spot the difference between a Chinese baijiu and one from Macau. If, however, relaxation and downtime are at the forefront of your agenda, the grand resort deck boasts everything from a skytop wave pool to skytop adventure rapids.
For further information on Capella Macau, please visit capellahotels.com
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