Macau’s failed luxury hotel The 13 is attempting a comeback, as it aims to keep its hotel license in the SAR, having recently announced its reopening, pushing to fulfill its license renewal process, expected to take place in October, before its expiration in December.
Asia Gaming Brief visited the property to see exactly what the multi-billion-dollar facility currently has on offer, and found it was largely within (limited) expectations.
While personnel are stationed outside, it’s still difficult to tell that the hotel is open for business.
Staffing is minimal, a small zone is functioning as a check-in desk, with all access to the nearby escalators to the other floors blocked off.
Staff indicate that the hotel is fully booked until September, with the minimum nightly room fee at MOP10,000 ($1,245) and the highest-roller suite going for MOP50,000 ($6,225).
However, staff would not disclose exactly how many of the 199 hotel rooms were actually in service, and how many of the luxury suites were occupied, or even available.
Guests to the hotel are also likely to be disappointed, as it’s not only positioned away from the Cotai Strip, located directly next to Macau’s Seak Pai Van public housing project and joined to the One Oasis residential complex, but it’s also lacking amenities.
The property’s pool, one of its most iconic features during its promotional campaign, is still closed.
For F&B, there’s only one café located on the ground floor, while there is one bar and one French restaurant on the third floor of the hotel.
Speaking from a Macau context, the F&B outlets, while luxuriously decked out, are miniscule, with zones literally curtained off. Menus are severely limited and staff appear confused about the opening hours.
Elevators have plastic panels limiting the number of floors guests can access. For non-hotel guests that’s literally two: the ground floor and third floor.
Overall, the feeling continues to be that of a deserted property. While employees – many of whom have been onboard for around three months – are friendly and engaging, it does little to dispel the strange vibe that the property gives off.
Unsurprisingly, no Casino area is indicated within the property’s lifts, as the group was unable to secure a satellite operation from any of Macau’s six licensed gaming operators. Melco had previously been the operator expected to collaborate with The 13 before negotiations fell through and the company distanced itself from what was widely regarded as a sinking ship.
Overall, the experience of visiting the property was exactly what was expected. Something envisioned in better times and which is trying to desperately hold on. To what is anyone’s guess.
