MANILA, Philippines - You read it right. Batman and Madonna in Macau and they are just two of the attractions at the newly-opened Hollywood-themed Studio City entertainment-cum-casino complex in Macau’s answer to Las Vegas, the Cotai strip. Batman Dark Flight is the must-try thrill ride and Madonna will be performing at Studio City in February 2016 ahead of her Manila shows.
Gone are the days when Macau was a destination exclusively for chain-smoking gamblers from Mainland China. Macau is now a world-class shopping haven and tourist destination that incorporates kiddie attractions for the whole family to enjoy where smoking is banned in casinos, malls, restaurants and public places.
Studio City opened its doors to the public last week of October with pomp, glamour and glitz befitting a major Hollywood movie premiere featuring A-listers Robert de Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Mariah Carey with heartthrob Brad Pitt joining the massive promotion. Studio City is the sister company of the Manila-based City of Dreams. It has two art deco-inspired hotel towers: Star which is the all-suite tower and Celebrity which houses the de luxe rooms. At the helm is VP for operations Patrick Schaub who was recently GM of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel Manila.
My travel buddy Joey de Leon and I arrived together with our better halves and children, both hotel towers were full and Patrick intimated with a wide smile this would be the scenario until Chinese New Year. Although there were still some unopened shops at the complex, it took us a couple of hours just to do a quick ocular. Popular designer shops surrounding the casino include Gucci, Prada, St. Laurent, Givenchy, Tom Ford and the likes. Most high-end jewelry and watch shops like IWC, Cartier, Piaget are also in the mix.
The first attraction we tried was Golden Reel. It is a ferris wheel-like ride high atop the center of the hotel complex in a figure eight configuration that gives a breath-taking view of the Cotai skyline. Each rotating capsule can seat eight with a partial glass floor you can step on which I tried with much caution fearing that it might break but of course it didn’t.
Most exciting was the Batman Dark Flight thrill ride which employs the latest 4D technology. The spectator is flown over Gotham City where Batman battles his arch nemesis like the Joker. What makes the ride really exciting is being lifted high in the air with your feet dangling below amid a wrap-around 3D screen featuring a series of smells you encounter as the high-speed journey progresses. This ride is not recommended for persons with fear of heights.
For persons who want their feet planted on terra firma, the Magic show is the option. Spectators enter the venue through a maze of mirrors before arriving at the first in a series of three mini-theaters, where various magicians show their tricks with cards, fishes, water and paper. The fourth theater, which is the biggest, features the main magician Franz Harary. The audience is dazzled with floor-to-ceiling LED screens, six sexy dancers in colorful costumes and an array of special effects and illusions including a Ferrari that appears from thin air.
Although our rooms included free breakfast, lunch and cocktails at the Star club, that didn’t deter us from trying three of the specialty restaurants in the casino complex — Italian, Japanese and Chinese.
Our accommodation was the entry level suite at Studio City which was not as spacious as the ones at neighboring Venetian but the amenities were in unique class comparable only to the likes of the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. Large marble bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, walk-in closet, comfy king size bed and a humongous LED TV. An added plus for us Pinoys at Studio City is the Pinoy staff visible in most departments from housekeeping to reception. I will definitely return to Studio City where the staff is friendly and courteous.