City of Dreams Manila Officially Opens, Dazzles With Casino, Nightclubs and International Superstars
City of Dreams Manila has been under soft opening since the middle of December, a period which we already used to start the food and hotel reviews of Metro Manila’s newest attraction, but now it was time for the official Grand Opening of this $1.13-billion integrated casino and resort, and grand it truly was! Read on for all the details from the hottest and most star studded event in town.
Events donโt come much bigger than the Grand Opening Day of City of Dreams Manila, which saw select members of media, celebrities, invited guests, and members of the public make the trip to the impressive gold-colored complex at Entertainment City in Pasay on Monday.
Following a press conference by developer MCE Leisure (Philippines) Corporation, which saw Australian billionaire James Packer and Melco Crown co-chairman Lawrence Ho outline their vision and plans behind City of Dreams Manila, attending media representatives were given an extensive tour of the grounds.
Joey Mead moderated the press conference with Lawrence Ho and James Packer
City of Dreams Manila sits on a 6.2-hectare site and includes three hotels in the shape of the 254 room Crown Towers, the 321 room Nobu Hotel and the 365 room Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, a large gaming area with currently around 380 gaming tables, 1,700 slot machines and 1,700 electronic table games, as well as numerous restaurants, shops, and two new night clubs, Pangaea and Chaos.
The main gaming floor at City of Dreams Manila
Other highlights include DreamPlay by DreamWorks, the worldโs first DreamWorks-inspired education-based interactive playspace, and Centerplay, a contemporary entertainment bar on the gaming floor which will feature prime live performances from local and international artists.
DreamPlay was still being finished when we were given a tour, and we could not take pictures inside the area as a result, but suffice to say the concept is amazing and we cannot wait to see it open! The huge area promises loads of physical and educational activities for kids (and those who stayed young), all themed around the many successful DreamWorks franchises.
From imposing looking climbing challenges, over motion-detection controlled Kung-Fu lessons with Po the Panda, to making your own DreamWorks style mini movie to take home, this is one attraction that promises plenty of fun.
The entrance to DreamPlay at City of Dreams Manila
On the food side of things, choices range from the world famous Nobu restaurant, over European Haute cuisine at The Tasting Room, premium Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties at the The Crystal Dragon, slightly more casual dining at Red Ginger (which we already reviewed here) to an impressive buffet at The Cafรฉ, to name but a few. No doubt we will be back to try them all out and report in detail on the various restaurants on offer.
Nobu restaurant at City of Dreams Manila
No casino resort is complete without a lineup of shops featuring designer goods from all the big brands, and City of Dreams Manila is no exception here. If Lady Luck was kind to you at the tables, then soon there will be plenty of opportunities to spend your new found riches on anything from jewellery to luxury watches and designer gear. The shopping area can be found on the upper ground floor and also features a chocolate cafe by Godiva, as well as even more restaurants.
The grounds of City of Dreams Manila
โKing of Clubsโ Michael van Cleef Ault himself was at hand to explain the concept behind the latest clubs to join the Manila nightlife, Pangaea and Chaos. Pangaea brings his famous Ultra Lounge concept to Manila and promises VIP treatment on an unrivaled and personal level, while Chaos, his second venture right next door, will see clubbers entertained with live performances in a stunning setting right inside the โFortune Eggโ, the large structure that forms the center piece of the outside facade at City of Dreams Manila.
Michael van Cleef Ault inside Pangaea, the Ultra Lounge at City of Dreams Manila
Following extensive tours of the grounds, it was time for the Concert of Dreams, where local superstars Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kyla, Gary Valenciano and Jed Madela got the crowd going before international big hitters Kelly Rowland and Ne-Yo finished the concert in style. We have pictures and video from the concert in our separate feature right here.
Time for the official opening ceremony for City of Dreams Manila
Following the concert, it was time to officially open City of Dreams Manila by means of a ceremony that saw the men and women behind the project turn symbolic keys to open the facility and have the night sky erupt in fireworks.
City of Dreams Manila is now officially open.
With this huge new resort now open, it will remain to be seen if the business strategy behind it will work out. The signs for success are certainly there, even if Macau – where Melco Crown operate their flagship property City of Dreams Macau – has recently seen a record slump in gaming revenue. The difference in audience and geography may well play into Manila’s hands here, and the mix between gaming and non-gaming entertainment should benefit the business in the long run.
For now, it is definitely one place you should go and check out. There’s plenty to do, see, play, eat, drink and shop. Just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes: City of Dreams Manila likes to dream big and the size of the place reflects that!
City of Dreams Manila
https://www.cityofdreams.com.ph
City of Dreams Manila Officially Opens, Dazzles With Casino, Nightclubs and International Superstars