The much-anticipated second phase of the "Crystal Palace" gaming area at Macau's iconic Hotel Lisboa is set to debut between July and August. This expansion aligns with the introduction of over 400 updated hotel rooms at the property. Daisy Ho Chiu Fung, Chairman of SJM Holdings Ltd, shared these developments at a recent company event, noting that the launch timeline hinges on receiving necessary approvals from Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
According to Ms. Ho, both Hotel Lisboa and Grand Lisboa, its adjacent sister property in downtown Macau, are projected to present a fresh new appearance as a large-scale, integrated resort by 2027. Currently, the two hotels are linked by an air-conditioned footbridge but are separated by a main road.
Transformative Upgrades at Lisboa Properties
In addition to the ongoing refurbishment of Hotel Lisboa's lobby and rooms, the first stage of the revamped Crystal Palace gaming venue commenced operations in late November last year. Meanwhile, Grand Lisboa is also undergoing upgrades, encompassing revamped hotel rooms and new non-gaming amenities. Daisy Ho stated the trend among Macau gaming operators is to enlarge hotel rooms by merging them, which purportedly enhances sales for the gaming market.
At Hotel Lisboa, STDM, SJM Holdings' privately-held parent company, is adapting to this trend by combining two rooms into larger spaces. These refurbished accommodations offer both standard rooms and suites, although the total room count will decrease compared to pre-renovation numbers.
Conversely, Grand Lisboa will see a "circa 10 percent" increase in room capacity by repurposing former VIP gaming areas into hotel rooms. These expansions cater to the current demand for premium services, including villas and additional offerings.
SJM's Market Position and Future Prospects
Addressing inquiries from GGRAsia, Daisy Ho expressed confidence in SJM Holdings' ability to regain market share amidst the phase-out of satellite gaming venues in Macau, which predominantly operated under SJM's gaming license. Despite the absence of satellite venues, Ms. Ho revealed that the company's market share rose in the second quarter compared to the first, although she refrained from disclosing exact figures due to their sensitive nature.
The company is optimistic about its growth trajectory, even as new food, beverage, and hotel facilities are still in the process of coming online. Additionally, SJM's other downtown locations, such as Casino Oceanus and Casino L’Arc, have witnessed an increase in gaming table allocations.
Despite the challenges brought by new regulatory adjustments and satellite closures, Ms. Ho emphasized a smooth transition and acquisition of former satellite patrons, which minimized market share loss more than anticipated.
Source: Crystal Palace phase 2, revamped Hotel Lisboa rooms launching in summer: SJM boss Daisy Ho, GGRAsia, May 26, 2026.
Posted by Wizard
May 26 2026
May 26 2026
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