The Magnificent Morpheus. Credit: City of Dreams
Over the past 20 years, Macau’s skyline has transformed dramatically. Not only has extensive land reclamation led to the development of the world-famous Cotai Strip, but a series of ever-ambitious hotels has made its mark on the city’s evolving skyline.
When it debuted in 2018, Morpheus set the bar even higher. Designed by the late Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning Zaha Hadid, the ultra-luxe hotel has broken ground in more ways than one. For starters, it’s an engineering masterpiece as the world’s first free-form tower sporting a complex exoskeleton. As if enveloped in a layer of steel mesh, the architectural stunner looks organic and curvaceous despite thousands of tons of sturdy steel and aluminum.
Home to 772 rooms and suites, the property is the jewel in the crown of City of Dreams, one of the most prominent integrated entertainment resorts on the Cotai Strip. It has quickly become the go-to getaway for those seeking out the finest things in life, from elegant interiors to world-class dining, a soothing spa and much more.
The Architecture
There’s plenty to fall in love with at Morpheus, but the ambitious architecture will leave a lasting impression. Made with 28,000 tons of structural steel and 538,195 square feet of aluminum cladding, the unconventional skyscraper is about as complex as it looks.
Inspired by the organic shapes of jade artifacts, the façade seems to twist and turn like a sculpture, creating a series of voids that could be interpreted as a figure eight — a lucky number in Chinese culture.
The external structure is referenced continuously throughout the interiors, which feature geometric accents and custom-built furniture to suit the building’s unconventional form. The structure, too, affects the blueprint: there are two main hotel towers, a 114-foot-high atrium space, two sky bridges and 12 “bubble” lifts that showcase excellent views of the exoskeleton.
Voyages by Alain Ducasse. Credit: Pierre Monetta
The Food
Each restaurant at Morpheus has a distinct personality. Set regally on the 21st-floor sky bridge, Yi specializes in contemporary Chinese cuisine with daily tasting menus designed by chef de cuisine Angelo Wong and executive chef Wilson Fam. Updated daily to reflect what’s freshest, the menu traverses several regions of China, from Cantonese cuisine to Chaozhou, Sichuan to Hunan.
One of the most exciting debuts at Morpheus can be found on the third floor. French chef Alain Ducasse developed two dining concepts, one an upscale retreat, the other a convivial, colorful bistro. At his fine-dining address, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus, you will be spoiled with a seasonal set menu, nature-inspired interiors, hand-picked vintage tableware and a wine cellar stocked with premium French labels.
Just across the hall, the delicious journey continues at Voyages by Alain Ducasse. The room opens with a retro-chic bar and lounge with plush velvet furniture, alongside an approachable main dining room that’s decked out in vibrant orange hues and hand-picked contemporary artwork. This is where you’ll dig into hearty, rustic fare such as creamy mushroom velouté, coquillettes pasta with ham and Comté cheese, or a slow-poached chicken blanquette with rice pilaf.
And there’s a place for sweets. Enclosed in a white, web-like dome on the ground floor, Pierre Hermé Lounge sates every craving with housemade chocolates, macarons and even a short list of savories for breakfast and lunch. Don’t leave without trying the Morpheus “Gold” dessert, which you’ll crack open with a mallet to unveil a bed of hazelnut ice cream, chocolate ganache and Japanese mandarin jam.
A Warm Reception. Credit: City of Dreams
The Rooms
Keeping with the organic nature of the property, the rooms don’t conform to perfect rectangles. The irregular shapes make the most of the floor space, which starts at a generous 624 square feet, to ensure every room and suite feels open and spacious.
Channeling the property’s sophisticated atmosphere, Remedios Studio of Hong Kong designed the accommodations to feel plush and premium — think warm tones of champagne and rose gold, geometric accents, oversized soaking tubs and walk-in showers, as well as touch-screen tablets to control all of the electronic features from the blinds to the lights.
Taking it to the next level, the luxury hotel also plays host to nine villas, all of which include 24-hour butler service and a dedicated spa treatment room. Among the nine, six have their own beauty salons and three come with private pools.
Morpheus Makes a Splash. Credit: City of Dreams
The Spa
As you might imagine, Morpheus Spa leaves little to be desired. Stretching across two floors, wellness experiences are tailored to every guest. Typically, you’ll start with a consultation to design your treatments, before following your spa butler through the unique snow garden to begin a day of complete relaxation.
Of course, if you have something specific in mind, you can choose from an array of facials, massages and cutting-edge beauty services on the menu. There are several world-exclusive offerings, such as a platinum mask from Margy’s Monte Carlo. The 20-minute, collagen-boosting mask can be added to any treatment for a hit of hydration to restore tired skin.
Meanwhile in the spa’s beautifully lit salon, you can luxuriate in one of the Gharieni PediSpa de Luxe treatment beds, a state-of-the-art treat where you can simultaneously enjoy a pedicure, manicure, hair service and facial.
If you’re looking to unwind even more, head up to the rooftop, where a 40th-floor infinity pool and cocktail bar await.
The Complex
As the new flagship of City of Dreams, Morpheus provides a great home base to explore the extensive integrated resort. Just down the hallway on the ground floor, you can venture into Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Nüwa Macau, more than 12,000 square feet of retail space, and Macau’s most famous show: the mesmerizing The House of Dancing Water, considered to be the world’s largest water-based stage performance because of the 3.7 million gallons of water needed for the production.
City of Dreams is also known for its extensive art collection — look for works by Thilo Heinzmann, Charles Pétillon, Shinji Ohmaki and Erwin Wurm in the public areas — as well as top-notch dining destinations. Alain Ducasse is in good company with a slew of Five-Star restaurants, such as Jade Dragon, The Tasting Room and Shinji by Kanesaka, just around the corner.
