“Morpheus”: the Zaha Hadid soul in Macao

She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Architecture and, at the age 65, she unexpectedly became part of history. But a trip to the four corners of the world shows that the British-born Iraqi Zaha Hadid lives on through iconic works that combine freedom of thought with style itself that defies geometry. This is also the case in Macao, where the ultra-futuristic "Morpheus" hotel aspires to be a breath of fresh air in the luxurious city of casinos.

If life were a science fiction movie, the new star of Macao's hospitality could well be centre stage. While there are no spaceships, flying saucers or mutants nearby, the “Morpheus” looks like it’s from another planet. It’s one of the last masterpieces, designed by Zaha Hadid, to be realised. As well as the Greek god who lends it his name, it also invites those who come here for an adventure through a world of dreams, spread over 40 floors and 160 meters high. Lawrence Ho, the son of the tycoon Stanley Ho, who heads up Melco International, which operates the "Morpheus", also had a dream himself: to "leave a love letter to Macau." He did not build a version of the Taj Mahal but the passion resulted instead in a renewed silhouette of the City of Dreams skyline, located in the Cotai Strip, between the islands of Taipa and Coloane. It is in this tourist area that the hotel is located, in a perimeter of extreme refinement that also boasts a casino, two theatres, 20 restaurants and three other hotel units.

Similar to an exoskeleton, the "Morpheus" exudes luxury through every pore. Around one billion euros has been invested to build this architectural colossus. The cavities at the centre of the skyscraper form the number "8", symbol of cosmic balance, and reveal passages to other horizons. They serve, simultaneously, to establish the connection, through misshapen bridges, between the two sides of the building. The 12 panoramic lifts take guests to the upper floors with VIP gaming facilities, gyms, three villas each with a swimming pool, six duplex villas and more than 700 rooms. With the interior decoration, by designer Peter Remedios, costs did not stand in the way and even the bathtubs were specially created for the "Morpheus." On the 40th floor of the skyscraper, there’s an oasis with an extensive roof-top swimming pool that mirrors the blue of the visible sky and invites guests to let themselves be carried away by the dreamlike reality. Indoor relaxation enthusiasts can always head to the ultra-luxurious Spa that even includes a "Snow Garden" with real snow - generating a mystical environment, which transports visitors to another world. An exclusive platinum mask is the pinnacle of a long list of beauty treatments at this Spa, where there are plenty of therapies to relax the body and mind with crystals.

To satisfy the finest palates, French chef Alain Ducasse, who also runs a bar at the hotel, features contemporary dishes from French haute cuisine in the restaurant "Alain Ducasse at Morpheus." The experiences gained from traveling the world over three decades are the starting point of the restaurant "Voyages by Alain Ducasse", with a new concept aimed at South American and Asian cuisine. The most difficult thing to do is to make choices because there is also the "Yi" restaurant, which offers exquisite Chinese cuisine, and a lounge created by the French chef Pierre Hermé, the "Picasso" of pastry, considered by many the best in the world. Art is always present and constantly changing with every new visit, with works by big names like KAWS (Brian Donnelly), Jean-Michel Othoniel and Thilo Heinzmann. Although much must be done to stand out in the disruptive architectural landscape of Macao, at least that dream, which Morpheus cherishes, seems to have already become a reality.

cityofdreamsmacau.com