December 20, 2024, 5:52 am | Read time: 2 minutes
The Grand Lisboa Hotel in Macau is not only the tallest building of its kind in the Chinese Special Administrative Region, but probably also the most unusual. The bizarre skyscraper looks like a spaceship from a science fiction movie. Its unusual shape references both a cultural heritage of the territory and the Brazilian Carnival.
The Chinese Special Administrative Region of Macau, only around 50 kilometers away from Hong Kong, is probably a rather unusual destination for most travelers in this country. A Portuguese colony until 1999, the main source of income here is gambling, and, as everywhere in Asia, futuristic-looking skyscrapers dominate the cityscape.
Overview of the city
However, none of them can even come close to the Hotel Grand Lisboa, which at first glance does indeed look like a bizarre spaceship from a science fiction movie.
Giant Lotus Blossom
According to its official website, the Hotel Grand Lisboa rises 240 meters above the skyline of Macau, making it not only the most unusual building of its kind in the city, but also the tallest. From the outside, it looks like a gigantic flower. And indeed, the shape of the mega tower is based on a lotus flower. This can also be found on the flag and coat of arms of Macau. However, there was another, less obvious inspiration for the architects: the world-famous Brazilian Carnival.
The unconventional shape of the skyscraper is also reminiscent of the colorful headdresses worn by Brazilian Carnival dancers. Unlike many other former overseas colonies, Macau is still very open about its Portuguese influences today. The Grand Lisboa has 47 floors and more than 400 rooms and suites, the largest of which measures an incredible 341 square meters. Each bathroom is equipped with a steam bath and a whirlpool.
Five Michelin Stars
The Grand Lisboa is also at the forefront of culinary delights in Macau. It can boast a total of five Michelin stars. The French-inspired “Robuchon au Dôme” on the top floor of the skyscraper holds three of them. Here, guests can not only enjoy their meals, but also marvel at a chandelier with more than 130,000 Swarovski crystals. The hotel also boasts a wine collection comprising 17,800 different bottlers from all over the world.
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Only Three Years Construction Time
Another bizarre sight is one of the largest diamonds in the world. It is on display in the lobby of the Grand Lisboa. The “Star of Stanley Ho” is named after its owner, a local businessman. It weighs 218.08 carats. The Spaceship Lotus Hotel opened in 2008 after three years of construction, with some restaurants and other facilities opening in 2007.