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The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I went to Vegas-like holiday resort in Europe with glamorous concierges, adventure parks & island's biggest pool complex
SLOT machines flash and jingle as I soak up the atmosphere at the City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus. This vast five-star resort features a super-casino, restaurants, bars entertainment and 500 hotel rooms — and is the first of its kind in Europe allowing guests to roll the dice after a dip in one of its many pools. 3 3 Insiders tell me it's just the start of ambitions to transform the area into a hybrid of Miami and Vegas within the next five years. If my two nights at the resort, near Limassol, were any indication, they are well on their way. Stepping inside, I was struck by the obvious luxury — guests are welcomed into a grand marble lobby lined with designer shops. Within seconds a glamorous concierge appears with a hot towel for your hands as a bellboy collects your bags. Moments later I was window shopping on my way to my suite, spotting Burberry, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabbana collections. Decorated in pine tones, my room felt like my very own Nordic spa with a massive tub, separate shower room, and a huge bed with pillows I melted into. The showstopper was the view from the balcony looking across the resort — the largest pool complex in Cyprus and a mecca for families and big kids like me. As well as the sparkling multiple pools surrounded by palm trees for shade, water slides and rapids there's a dedicated adventure park that will keep even the fussiest child happy. It features an 18-hole miniature golf course, zip-line coaster, climbing wall, high ropes obstacle courses and a huge playground. The resort's Kids' City is open every day from 10am to 8pm with supervised activities for four to 12-year-olds and by night there are movie and theatre evenings with free popcorn. For those seeking a different type of thrill there is of course the casino. While Mum and Dad enjoy a flutter, a gaming room offers snooker and retro arcade favourites like Pac-Man and table hockey. Large sofas face wall-mounted TVs with gaming consoles on hand to keep the teenagers busy. A short drive away from the hotel are sandy beaches and the vibrant city of Limassol with its regenerated marina and lavish yachts bobbing in the waters. Arming myself with a coffee from Paul bakery, I walked along a boulevard of chic cafes and restaurants you would see on any posh British high street — Jamie Oliver's, a Wagamama, and multiple Greek tavernas. From there it's an easy stroll into the old town along cobbled streets that lead to Kolossi Castle. In the Middle Ages, Cyprus was a target for Crusader campaigns to the Holy Land, and this 15th-century fortress is filled with treasures from the time. Exhibits of ancient pottery, oil lamps and coins from Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman eras are on display in the great hall. I found myself marvelling at tombstones bearing intricate carvings of Crusader knights and ancient symbols. In the belly of the castle is an even older underground chapel which is dark, windowless and quiet. It was here that King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) married Berengaria of Navarre. I felt time stop for a moment, and could picture the bride and groom standing next to the very stones of the ancient altar in this peaceful underground grotto. Stunning frescoes Amazingly you can taste the oldest wine in the world that was served at King Richard's wedding, called Commandaria, on a visit to the village of Agios Konstantinos. The excursion can be arranged at the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel's front desk. Another must-do trip is to the charming village of Omodos, in the heart of the Troodos Mountains. Renowned for its traditional stone houses, Omodos is a picturesque spot and at its centre lies Timios Stavros Monastery, which dates back to the early 1800s. The preserved Byzantine church is filled with wood carvings and stunning frescoes. After a day spent exploring Cyprus's history, or enjoying the adrenalin rush of the casino, the City of Dreams Mediterranean's cave-like spa is the perfect spot to rest weary feet. This was my favourite place and I could feel my muscles immediately relax in the sauna, before booking myself in for a massage. With entertainment and relaxation options nailed down at the hotel, I couldn't wait for dinner at one of the four restaurants. As well as a buffet, there are three speciality restaurants serving French, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. 3 The Amber Dragon, sibling of a two-star Michelin venue in Macau, serves up sushi and sashimi, dim sum and stir-fried classics as well as the best BBQ roasted duck I'd ever tasted. A chef prepared shreds of the mouthwatering bird in front of us as little baskets of pancakes and dishes of greens were laid out — I was in food heaven. Next up were the divine Shanghai dumplings that melted into a little soup, while dessert was a golden dumpling treat that resembled an ice-cream Scotch egg. Afterwards I headed to the casino's roulette table. I was hoping it was my lucky night!
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Macau's Recovery Accelerates: Will Melco's Top Line Keep Up?
Macau's recovery from pandemic-era lows is gaining steam and Melco Resorts & Entertainment MLCO appears to be riding that wave. Melco delivered a strong performance in the first quarter, beating revenue and earnings estimates. The company benefited from a sharp rise in visitation during peak travel periods, such as Golden Week, reflecting a renewed momentum in tourism in Macau. Strong demand in the mass gaming segment lifted table drop volumes at its flagship properties, City of Dreams and Studio City. But as investor optimism returns, the key question is whether this top-line strength is sustainable. CEO Lawrence Ho emphasized that recent gains are not just recovery-driven but also the result of operational improvements, like property renovations and the relaunch of 'House of Dancing Water.' These moves are helping to differentiate Melco's offerings and tap into China's shifting consumer preference for experiences over luxury retail. Still, high-end shopping remains a drag, especially at City of Dreams, while Studio City's more mass-focused retail has performed tailwind is China's current pro-consumption policy environment, which supports domestic tourism and discretionary spending. Yet challenges loom. Non-Macau assets, such as Manila, face a tougher competitive landscape, prompting cost revisions and strategic reviews. Furthermore, while Macau gaming spend shows resilience, the broader recovery could be vulnerable to macro headwinds and shifts in top line looks stable with further gains in first-quarter 2025. However, sustaining this momentum long-term will hinge on disciplined reinvestment, further diversification of non-gaming revenues and navigating regional volatility. The company's strong liquidity and ongoing buybacks provide a cushion, but investors should keep an eye on execution risk and competitive pressures as the post-recovery phase matures. As Melco rebuilds momentum in Macau, it faces growing competition from other U.S.-listed operators with deep pockets and established brand power, namely, Wynn Resorts WYNN and MGM Resorts MGM. Wynn, with a stronghold in the premium segment, continues to attract high-end clientele through its luxury positioning and high-quality service at Wynn Palace and Wynn Macau. Its emphasis on mass premium and operational discipline could challenge Melco's efforts to retain its share among affluent MGM China has been aggressively expanding its market share, recently surpassing 17% thanks to the strong mass-market appeal and rising contributions from non-gaming segments. MGM's alignment with local policy, especially its focus on family-friendly, non-gaming attractions, mirrors Melco's diversification strategy, intensifying the all three push forward in a more rational, cost-conscious environment, maintaining top-line growth will depend on differentiated offerings, operational excellence and effective targeting of the evolving consumer of China. Shares of MLCO have gained 84.8% in the past three months compared with the industry's growth of 40.3%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research MLCO's current valuation looks promising for investors. The stock is currently trading at a discount compared with the industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 0.73X. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MLCO's 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year uptick of 52.6% and 56.3%, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Melco currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN) : Free Stock Analysis Report MGM Resorts International (MGM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (MLCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Macau's House of Dancing Water returns with 3.7 million gallons of spectacle
Macau's biggest indoor spectacle is making a splash yet again, as it returns to City of Dreams after a nearly five-year hiatus. House of Dancing Water, which debuted in 2010, made waves regionally and beyond for its ambitious scope and scale that required a boundary-pushing 2,000-seat theatre for what was the world's largest permanent water-based show at the time. Advertisement Directed by Franco Dragone , the show was forced to shut down in 2020 due to Covid-19. After Dragone's death in 2022, his long-time collaborator, Giuliano Peparini, took up the mantle, working with veteran martial-arts choreographer Jaden He Jingde to relaunch the production. Now, the show goes on, with a fresh narrative, cutting-edge technology and a world-class 300-strong cast. The House of Dancing Water, Macau's biggest indoor spectacle, is back. Photo: The House of Dancing Water The story will be familiar to those who have visited previously: a brave stranger embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Aani, who is being held captive by the Dark Queen, with water serving as a recurring motif throughout the 80-minute run time. To balance the show's dramatic intensity, a new character, the Sailor, injects moments of comic relief. The purpose-built Dancing Water Theatre features a pool holding 3.7 million gallons of water, more than five times the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The venue has been refurbished to improve sightlines, accessibility and seating comfort, while technological enhancements allow for a more immersive experience, including a stage capable of transforming from a dry platform to a vast aquatic arena in under a minute. The show features a pool holding 3.7 million gallons of water, more than five times that of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Photo: The House of Dancing Water One of the show's most arresting moments is the revamped Golden Boat sequence. This set piece has been re-engineered with a state-of-the-art water-hydraulic system allowing the massive ship to glide across the water, in a spectacle that feels both grand and intimate. Complementing this is the Human Chandelier 2.0, an act in which acrobats perform gravity-defying manoeuvres on flying chandeliers, pushing the boundaries of physical artistry and technical precision.
The Standard
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Standard
"Charge Wonderful Life" EV charging station launches at Sino Group's Skyline Tower
Dive into magic: The spectacular return of House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams Macau!
South China Morning Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
House of Dancing Water show returns to Macau
A reboot of House of Dancing Water premiered at the City of Dreams casino resort in Macau on May 7, 2025, followed by its public debut two days later. The show's first run started in 2010, but was forced to close a decade later when the pandemic severely cut tourism in the city. Now it is back with world-class stage performances by actors performing aerial ballet and 25-metre (82ft) high dives. Their watery stage is the size of more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools and is spiced up with effects, including curtains of water.
