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Global casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd has plans to upgrade its offering in the Macau market, across both gaming and non-gaming segments. This includes a remodelling of the existing 330-room Countdown hotel at City of Dreams in the Cotai district - due to be completed next year - as well as changes to the company's gaming floors.
"We are continuing to work on a number of additional initiatives in Macau to drive traffic and revenue," said Lawrence Ho Yau Lung (pictured in a file photo), Melco Resorts' chairman and chief executive.
He added: "We are finalising plans for the full renovation of the Countdown hotel, which we currently plan to reopen in the third quarter of 2026. The hotel will be newly branded, featuring approximately 150 high-end luxury suites with an average room size exceeding 1,000 square feet [93 sq. metres]."
The Countdown closed for renovation "until further notice" in 2021. At the time, the Melco group planned to rebrand the property as Libertine and convert it into an all-suite, five-star product. The relaunch was initially targeted for 2023 but was never realised.
Mr Ho said he believed the new hotel concept for the Countdown tower would "bring a one-of-a-kind experience to Macao and add to the high-end luxury hotel portfolio" that Melco Resorts currently offers at the City of Dreams casino resort.
Earlier this week, rival Macau casino concessionaire MGM China Holdings Ltd announced it had begun converting rooms at its MGM Cotai casino resort to create a total of around 60 new suites. The work is likely to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
Mr Ho's commentary on his own company's room-remodelling work in the Macau market came during a Thursday conference call with investment analysts, following Melco Resorts' announcement of its second-quarter 2025 results.
Macau property adjusted property earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the period rose to US$336.9 million, up from just over US$249.2 million in 2024.
Gaming floor renovation projects
During the latest conference call, Mr Ho said Melco Resorts had begun renovating the main entrance to City of Dreams in Cotai, which "will increase visibility and accessibility" to the property.
He added: "Over the last 18 months, we've been improving our product and reinvesting in the customer experience. I think it shows in our results."
During the call, Melco Resorts' management referred to a number of projects under way across its casinos in Macau.
"We continue to implement enhancements in our gaming areas across our Macau properties to broaden our service and product offerings and elevate the gaming experience for our premium mass customers," Mr Ho stated.
Company president Evan Winkler, also present on the call, mentioned several recent developments at City of Dreams, including the completion of a new high-limit slot-machine zone and the creation of a "clubhouse experience" area for premium players. The latter features three private salons and non-gaming amenities such as golf and race simulators, pool tables, darts, and pinball machines.
He added that at Studio City, the firm was awaiting regulatory approval - expected "in the next few months" - to create a new gaming space offering a "unique casino experience" targeting the premium mass segment. Mr Winkler also confirmed the firm was moving ahead with plans to open a medical centre at Studio City, to be run by Hong Kong's medical diagnostic group iRad.
"We've got new electronic product and tables that are going to filter through the system by year-end. So you're going to see more product at the different integrated resorts" in Macau, Mr Winkler said.
Melco Resorts management also referred to the May reopening of resident show House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams. "We've had great feedback, with occupancy of the theatre averaging around 98 percent since the opening," said Mr Ho. According to the company, the show was a "positive EBITDA contributor" in the second quarter of 2025.
City of Dreams Manila still under review
During the call, the company's management also revisited comments made in February, when it said it was considering "strategic alternatives" regarding its role in the City of Dreams Manila casino resort, in the Philippines.
"On the strategic review... we are still continuing to work through the process with our advisers on a shortlist of potential buyers," said Geoffrey Davis, Melco Resorts' executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Nothing to announce at the moment... [we] remain cautiously optimistic about this opportunistic exploration and hope there'll be something to do in Manila"
Philippines-based project partner Belle Corp has stated that a buyout of Melco Resorts' interest in City of Dreams Manila is "not part of Belle's plans for the immediate future."
During the conference call, Melco Resorts' management also said the company had repurchased approximately 120 million company shares between April and May.
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