48 cover story
Operations, says: “Metaphor-
ically, the decision to rebrand
the hotel was made in phases
in the second half of 2008.’’
William Chan, son of
R obert Chan, a veteran of the
Macau VIP gaming business,
and Dane Tan, a Las Vegas
casino marketing expert, are
in charge of the rebranding
process and head a new board
of directors that seems to
share the innovative vision.
“While the recent devel-
opment of various mega hotel
and casino has helped Macau
to be Asia’s most exciting
entertainment hub, there’s a
Waldo Hotel
niche group of tourists who are
savvy, hip and well traveled.
These tourists are looking for a
hotel that offers them not only
entertainment, but also com-
fort, service and style. This is
why Waldo, the city’s first and
only boutique hotel, comes
into Macau,’’ says Chung.
Kinney Chan designed
the new Waldo, drawing on
experience from his work in
Hong Kong’s leading clubs
and restaurants. The rooms
are devoted to four different
themes, Hip, Glamour, Com-
fort and Pure, and there are
no Renaissance imitations or
faux gold.
“We believe Waldo Hotel
Macau will be recognised in
the tourism industry with our
US$75 million, which will The Mandarin Oriental redeveloped or sold to a exceptional high standard of
be recognized in 2009. The Hotel Group’s Operations Di- third party in the future. hotel services and facilities,
proceeds will be applied to- rector in Asia adds: “From while the number of custom-
wards the MOHCL Group’s Mandarin Oriental’s perspec- Real renaissance ers visiting our hotel will in-
general corporate purposes. tive, our brand will continue crease,’’ Chung adds.
The transaction has not been to be well represented in the It is known as the Blue For the economist José
concluded nd is subject to city. The group is gearing up Ocean Strategy: If is not Isaac, this was a predictable
the approval of independ- to manage a new 213-room working out and you need a phenomenon and not related
ent shareholders in an EGM, M a n d a r i n O r i e n t a l h o t e l o n t h e change, dare to be bold. to the international financial
but completion of the sale is waterfront of Macau, which is The Waldo was known as crisis. “There is a need to re-
expected by the end of May due to open in early 2010.’’ the hotel with the neon sign direct customers, I don’t think
2009. As part of the transaction’s opposite to the Mandarin Ori- the rebranding move is an an-
“This will also be re- agreement, MOHCL and ental, one of the first casinos to swer to the crisis.
branded by STDM, but Man- Shun Tak have the right to open under the Galaxy Enter- “Hotels in Macau are all
darin Oriental Hotel group participate in the increase tainment Group’s license. But competing for the same mar-
will continue to manage it for, of the hotel’s value, over not anymore. Now it wants to kets and, despite the crisis, I
at least two years, to ensure and above the agreed value be first truly boutique hotel think sooner or later it would
a smooth transition of opera- of HK$1.6 billion (US$205 and casino in Macau. come to this. The need to catch
tions to the new owner,’’ says million), which might arise Ken Chung, Waldo Ho- the attention of the clients with
Hirst. if the property were to be tel Macau’s Director of Hotel a rebranding was inevitable.’’
april 2009
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