What we know so far about two of the most highly anticipated hotels set to open in Macau
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Above A rendering of the lobby of the Grand Lisboa Palace Hotel, scheduled to open early next year. (Photo: Courtesy of SJM)

Lead image courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld

Macau is no stranger to new hotels openings, but two that are hotly tipped to draw interest from far and wide will be the hotel towers by acclaimed fashion designers Donatella Versace and Karl Lagerfeld – set to open as part of the US$3.9 Grand Lisboa Palace in 2018.

The resort will be home to the first hotel ever designed by Karl Lagerfeld – the creative director of Chanel and Fendi, and one of the most recognised designers in the world. Meanwhile, Versace is set to open the first Palazzo Versace in Asia at the resort too, with hopes of replicating the success of its hotels in Australia and Dubai.

See also: A Peek Inside 5 New Luxury Hotels Set To Open In Macau

Dr. Ambrose So, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM, commented, “We are excited to collaborate with Karl Lagerfeld, a multi-talented and visionary designer, to introduce the first Karl Lagerfeld Hotel in the world. Together with Palazzo Versace Macau and our own Lisboa brand, our destination resort will become a hub of luxurious accommodation.”

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Above Grand Lisboa Palace will be comprised of three individual hotel towers, including two desgined by Donatella Versace and Karl Lagerfeld and is pegged to open in early 2018

This is the first time that Lagerfeld and his team has designed an entire hotel. The Karl Lagerfeld Hotel will comprise up to 270 guestrooms and suites in a 20-storey exclusive tower as part of Lisboa Palace. Among its features will be an enormous sculpture of Lagerfeld’s pet cat 'Choupette' at the entrance, while Lagerfeld's own silhouette graces the room keys.

“Karl wanted to deliver something that was really bespoke for the Chinese audience whilst still bringing his influence to the table,” says Pier Paolo Righi, CEO and President of Karl Lagerfeld.

“The interiors are inspired by China combined with European Art Deco. The idea was to work with architects and make sure things were elaborate and ornate so that we can bring these two worlds together in a very bespoke fashion," says Righi. 

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Above The world's first Karl Lagerfeld Hotel in Macau will feature a sculpture of Lagerfeld’s pet cat 'Choupette' at the entrance, while Lagerfeld's own silhouette graces the room keys. (Photo: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld)

Similarly, Palazzo Versace Macau will also be housed in a separate 20-storey exclusive tower within the Grand Lisbon Palace resort. Versace will provide the stylistic and artistic direction including the interiors, furnishings and amenities for the project.

The hotel is set consist of up to 270 rooms and suites, one gourmet restaurant, a cutting-edge spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, retail space and other luxury facilities and amenities consistent with the Palazzo Versace style.

“Palazzo Versace will enrich Macau with a unique property aiming to provide an exclusive experience and become a destination within a destination,” says Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of Versace.

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Above Lobby of the Palazzo Versace, Dubai, gives an indication of how the Macau property will be styled. (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)

By comparison to the Lagerfeld hotel, Versace’s design is relatively toned down but still makes a statement with gorgeous mosaic tiles that create a mélange of colour in the pool and a lobby decked out in gold trim and white marble.

Both designers feature Chinese elements in their designs, with Lagerfeld weaving in phoenix and peony emblems, and Versace focusing on dragon and chrysanthemum details.

“I am very happy and proud to work on such a great project: An entire hotel designed by me. It's the first time for me! I think the idea is great!” said Mr. Karl Lagerfeld.

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Above Lagerfeld previously redesigned the pool area at Monaco's Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, but his Macau hotel will be the first time he’s lent his name to an entire property (Photo: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld)

Lagerfeld and Versace are among a growing list of designers and luxury brands to have branched out into hotels, one that includes such names as Giorgio Armani, Bulgari, Versace and Baccarat.

When it opens in 2018, the Grand Lisboa Palace will comprise a full range of non-gaming facilities including around 2,000 hotel rooms housed in The Lisboa Palace Hotel, Palazzo Versace Macau and Karl Lagerfeld Hotel.

Other facilities will include a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, a themed retail mall with further food and beverage options, a wedding pavilion and a multi-purpose theatre for celebrations and events. The resort will also provide up to 700 gaming tables and over 1,200 slot machines.

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