The Classiest and Gaudiest Casinos of Macau in Photos

Garden villa living room at Wynn Palace | Courtesy of Wynn Resorts

31 January 2017

Macau is the world’s most successful gambling destination and its casinos are designed to let you know that. However, they’re not all as over-the-top as they sound, some, more successfully than others, have achieved a touch of class. From the gaudiest to the classiest, here are Macau’s casinos in all their grandiose glory

Wynn Palace

As classy casinos go, this one tops the list. It’s a lot of casino, US$4.2 billion dollars worth, and it looks and feels expensive. Roger Thomas, who is head of design for Wynn Resorts, is renowned for his classy sense of aesthetic which is on full display throughout this casino. There is less of the gilded, over the top kitsch style that we’re used to seeing in many casinos and more of a trend towards elegance and subtlety. Even the water shooting from over a thousand water jets, as part of the eight acre performance lake, is choreographed in an elegant fashion.

Wynn Palace, Av. da Nave Desportiva, Macau +853 8889 8889

Wynn Palace | Courtesy of Wynn Resorts

Garden villa living room at Wynn Palace | Courtesy of Wynn Resorts

Amazing Fountain Show | Courtesy of Wynn Resorts

Grand Lisboa

This casino is certainly eye catching and as it’s the tallest building in Macau making it impossible to miss. However, it’s unique design frequently divides opinion and it’s one you either love or hate. Shaped like a giant golden lotus flower, the official emblem of Macau, it’s been nicknamed “the giant golden pineapple” by locals, as its shape bears a striking resemblance to the fruit. It’s gold, bold and over the top. It’s as gaudy as it gets and everything you expect a casino to be.

Grand Lisboa, 2 Av. de Lisboa, Macau +853 2888 3888

Grand Lisboa Macau | © Daniel Smith / Flickr

Grand Lisboa Macau | © Aleksandr Zykov / Flickr

The Venetian Macao

The first thing you notice about the Venetian is that it’s huge. In fact, it’s the world’s largest casino complex. Such is the success of the place, a veritable goldmine for its owners, that The Venetian is arguably more famous than Macau itself. Adorned with decadent interiors styled on gilded, old world Europe, it’s loud and proud of being gaudy and shouts it from every corner. It’s definitely a sight to be seen and so wonderfully over the top that it can’t help but charm you.

Venetian Macao, Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Macau +853 2882 8888

The Venetian | Courtesy of Sands China

Inside The Venetian | Courtesy of Sands China

City of Dreams

Unlike the name suggests, it’s not quite the stuff of dreams, but it’s not a tacky nightmare either. Here, several hotel brands are housed under one roof in an integrated resort that offers casinos, shopping, entertainment and dining. It attracts a younger crowd and has less of the Vegas style gaudiness that is prevalent elsewhere in Macau.

City of Dreams, Estrada Do Istmo, Cotai, Macau +853 8868 6688

City of Dreams | Courtesy of Melco Crown

Galaxy Macau

Galaxy Macau is yet another palatial casino resort, once again decorated in Macau’s favourite gold colour. It’s a giant Asian palace style building that dominates the Cotai skyline. It’s no less golden or attention grabbing on the inside, but it does have its less gaudy moments in the form of the Ritz-Carlton hotel that opened in the resort back in 2015, bringing a more refined touch.

Galaxy Macau, Cotai, Macau +853 2888 0888

Galaxy Macau | Courtesy of Galaxy Entertainment

Galaxy Macau VIP Lobby | Courtesy of Galaxy Entertainment

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