Casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd has announced plans for a "soft opening" in the "second half of 2026" for its newly conceptualized luxury hotel project, REM. This high-end brand will be established at Melco's flagship City of Dreams resort located in Macau's Cotai Strip.
The announcement was made through a social media post on Tuesday, which featured an artist's depiction of the luxurious development. The hotel group's representative confirmed to GGRAsia that REM is a result of extensive renovations to the Countdown hotel previously situated within the resort. Further details regarding the new REM accommodation tower remain undisclosed at this time.
Significant Renovation Investment and Branding Moves
In November, Melco Resorts had disclosed plans to invest approximately “US$125 million” for the thorough remodeling of the 330-room Countdown hotel at City of Dreams. The Countdown had ceased operations to undergo renovations "until further notice" as of 2021. During this period, Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, who serves as Melco Resorts’ chairman and chief executive, highlighted the company's commitment to rejuvenating the Countdown hotel, expecting its reopening by the third quarter of 2026.
Last July, Mr. Ho elaborated that the revamped hotel, under its new identity, would consist of around 150 opulent luxury suites, each boasting an average room size of over 1,000 square feet (approximately 93 square meters). MCO (IP) Holdings Ltd, an affiliate of Melco, had secured trademark rights for the REM branding in 2025 with a comprehensive scope covering both gaming and non-gaming services at the resort. This trademark formally entered the public realm on March 4, according to documentation examined by GGRAsia.
Innovative Design and Market Positioning
Tuesday’s update on social media emphasized that the REM-branded accommodation is set to "redefine contemporary luxury with its ultimate suite experience, avant-garde artistic design, and innovative service.” It added that "REM marks the start of an unprecedented journey of inspiration, further strengthening City of Dreams’ unique position as an integrated resort."
The transformation of the Countdown Hotel is integral to Melco Resorts’ broader strategy to elevate its market offering in Macau, a competitive hub for luxury tourism and entertainment. Recently, further bolstering its brand, Melco Resorts announced the appointment of popular Chinese actor Jing Boran as City of Dreams Macau’s global brand ambassador.
This move coincides with the launch of the resort’s ‘Be A Dreamer’ advertising campaign. City of Dreams has gained recognition as a specialist in contemporary-design own-brand hotels. Its Morpheus hotel, recognized for its unique structural design featuring a central void, was unveiled in June 2018 through a collaboration with the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects.
Source: Melco Announces 'REM' as New Hotel Brand for City of Dreams in Macau, Eyes 2H Launch, GGRAsia, March 17, 2026.
Posted by Wizard
Mar 17 2026
Mar 17 2026
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