Cover Linda Chen of Wynn Macau, Limited
Linda Chen of Wynn Macau, Limited
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Tatler sits down with Linda Chen of Wynn Palace who shares how Wynn Palace shapes Macau's future and sets new hospitality standards
In 2025, Macau shattered all previous records by welcoming a whopping 40 million visitors, which included a surge in international guests. It was a clear and encouraging sign that the SAR has officially entered a new era, and the world is paying attention.
Once ruled by gaming, Macau has been shedding its reputation as the “Vegas of Asia” and instead turning inward to celebrate and promote Macanese culture, while establishing itself as a fierce contender on the global stage for dining, hospitality and entertainment.
At the 2025 Best of Hong Kong and Macau Awards, one property made a clean sweep for Macau: Wynn Palace Macau, winning Hotel of the Year, Restaurant of the Year for the ephemeral brilliance of Chef Tam’s Seasons, and Bar of the Year for the liquid precision of Wing Lei Bar.
So what does it take to be the best? We spoke with Linda Chen, president, vice chairman, and executive director of Wynn Macau, Limited, to find out.
See also: How Hong Kong and Macau’s top hotels, restaurants and bars are keeping the soul of hospitality alive
Above Wynn Macau, Limited president, vice chairman, and executive director, Linda Chen
Wynn Macau, Limited president, vice chairman, and executive director, Linda Chen
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Guests from Hong Kong and Macau are arguably some of the most discerning and demanding in the world. Does this force a unique kind of camaraderie among hospitality professionals here?
Yes. In Macau, hospitality professionals share a deep sense of camaraderie because we are collectively shaping the city’s reputation as a premier global destination. At Wynn, we see ourselves not only as participants but as leaders in this journey. Our role is to set benchmarks—whether it be in service excellence, culinary innovation, or world‑class entertainment—that inspire the entire industry to aim higher.
The high expectations of our guests from Hong Kong and Macau have been instrumental in driving this progress. Their insistence on quality has pushed us to refine every detail, from [award-winning] dining experiences to bespoke cultural events that showcase Macau’s unique East‑meets‑West character.
Do you feel you are all building one singular reputation together?
Collectively as an industry, we are all working toward one singular goal: for Macau to become a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure”. By constantly raising the bar and introducing diversified offerings, we ensure that Macau remains a destination that captivates, delights, and entices visitors to return time and again.
In an era of hyper-automation and AI, the hospitality community in this region seems to be doubling down on human interaction. In your opinion, is the human element still our most valuable currency in 2026?
Without question, the human element remains our most valuable currency. Technology can enhance efficiency, but it is the passion of hospitality, warmth of personal interactions, genuine care, and attentive service from our team – not only the luxurious surroundings – that transforms a stay into a lasting memory.
This philosophy guided our celebrations earlier this year, when we marked Wynn’s 20th Anniversary in Macau and the 10th Anniversary of Wynn Palace. We organised a special “Gratitude Festival” to honour over 11,700 team members who work hard to deliver exceptional experiences every single day. To demonstrate our gratitude, all senior leaders, including myself, put on Wynn uniforms to serve them. From the “Wynn Uniform Fashion Show” to the “Executive Cooking Challenge”, these moments reminded us just how important human interaction is, not only for us as a team, but also in the way we engage with our guests with sincerity and joy.
We also recognise that human interaction must evolve alongside technology. Which is why we ensure our team members are future‑ready. In April 2026, we partnered with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) to host the “ATD x Wynn Asia Leadership Summit”, bringing together over 200 executives and experts from leading companies across the Asia-Pacific. The focus of the event was clear: cultivate leaders who can harness AI while preserving the irreplaceable human touch.
By combining innovation with empathy, we are not only preparing our team for the future—we are setting the standard for what hospitality should look like in the age of AI.
Above Wynn Palace Macau
Wynn Palace Macau
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All eyes are on this side of the world now. What is your view on this—are we still looking to the west for inspiration, or has the centre of gravity finally shifted here?
I believe we are working together in harmony. Inspiration today flows in both directions, but Macau —and Asia more broadly—has become a stage where tradition and creativity converge to set new global benchmarks.
At Wynn, we see ourselves as catalysts in this transformation. A clear example is the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. A first-of-its-kind competition for the wine industry in China, the inaugural awards event in 2024 built a solid foundation, attracting significant international attention, establishing a strong reputation amongst the wine industry, and making far-reaching inroads into Chinese wineries and production areas. Now in its third year, the awards event has firmly positioned itself as a leading benchmark for promoting Chinese wines globally.
To further amplify our goal of promoting Chinese culture, we take great pride in showcasing China’s cultural heritage and the arts. For the 2025 edition of Macau International Art Biennale, we presented "Hello China, Hello Macau – The Odyssey of Jingdezhen Porcelain: A Heritage Voyage from Macau to the World". This exhibition revealed the vital role Macau played as a nexus for the Maritime Silk Road in an innovative way by blending Chinese traditional culture with cutting-edge digital art.
By championing Chinese artistry, gastronomy, and innovation, we hope to play a role in re-shaping Macau as a destination where inspiration is at the heart of everything we do.
How do you see Macau’s hospitality scene evolving now that the city is expanding beyond gaming?
For the first time ever in 2025, Macau shattered all previous records, welcoming more than 40 million visitors including a surge in international guests. This momentum signals that Macau is no longer defined solely by gaming; it is evolving into a multifaceted destination where culture, art, gastronomy, and lifestyle experiences take center stage.
At Wynn, we are proud to play an instrumental role in this transformation. Our vision is to strengthen Macau’s global appeal by curating high-end, diversified offerings. From Michelin‑starred gastronomy and world‑class entertainment to sports, arts and culture, health and wellness, and MICE events, we are creating experiences that resonate with international visitors who seek more than just one‑dimensional travel.
Global visitors have multifaceted interests and different reasons for traveling to Macau. This exciting new shift in expectations from world-travellers encourages the development of more non-gaming experiences in Macau, while attracting more business and investment into our city.
Above Chen with Tam Kwok-fung, executive chef of Chef Tam's Seasons
Chen with Tam Kwok-fung, executive chef of Chef Tam's Seasons
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What role do you believe Wynn plays in shaping this new narrative for Macau as a luxury destination?
Our vision of luxury is rooted in our people. By investing in talent development, we ensure that every guest encounter reflects the highest standards of service and authenticity, creating experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
In 2007, Wynn became the first integrated resort in Macau to establish the Wynn Academy offering customised in-house training programs for team members. Following its success, we created the Food & Beverage Academy in 2010 and the Facilities Academy in 2017. These initiatives give young talents the opportunity to compete internationally, earn global accreditations, and grow into leaders who embody the craft of hospitality, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Beyond investing in our own team development, we have also invested in creating a number of ‘luxury firsts’ for this city. Set in palatial surrounds, Gourmet Pavillion is Macau’s first and only Asian culinary landmark featuring many ‘first-in-Macau’ culinary brands from all across the region. We were also the first integrated resort in Macau to display the world’s rarest hypercars –many that had never been seen before in Asia – at the “Wynn Signature – Hypercar Exhibition”. In 2024, we had the privilege of teeing up the first-ever International Series Macau presented by Wynn, an Asian Tour-sanctioned tournament, bringing together the biggest names in golf from the LIV Golf League and the Asian Tour.
On the sidelines of the golf tournament, we partnered with the Macau Special Olympics to hold a golf clinic to nurture and maximize the potential of MSO athletes. I really value tournaments like these because they not only help to further develop the game of golf, but also give us the opportunity to give back to the Macau community in meaningful ways. We look forward to hosting more events of this calibre well into the future.
When travelers think of Wynn five years from now, what is the one emotion or memory you want them to associate with the property that they can’t find anywhere else in the world?
The emotion we want every guest to carry with them is a profound sense of belonging—it is about offering a place where guests truly feel at home. Guests travel here for a variety of reasons, and we hope to deliver on their expectations no matter the occasion, whether they’re here with family, celebrating with friends, or meeting with business associates. We want them to feel embraced and genuinely cared for as they discover all of the unique experiences and emotional indulgences that can only be found at Wynn in Macau.
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
