With new investors and a brand-new management team officially taking the reins, Macau’s luxury hotel The 13 Palace Macau, located in Coloane, has turned a new page. Executive Director of The 13 Palace Macau, Jack Loi, speaks with IAG and provides some exclusive insights, lifting the veil on this unique landmark.
IAG: From its former red exterior to the revamped golden facade and rebranding as The 13 Palace, the hotel has undergone major shifts in management structure and brand positioning. What is the core strategic focus behind this relaunch?
Jack Loi (JL): When we took over the project, our first thought was not to tear everything down and start from scratch. Enormous effort and investment went into this building. Its architecture, interior design, materials and craftsmanship stand apart from many hotels in Macau and across the globe, and that is its greatest value.
We therefore aim to preserve its most distinctive features while refining and elevating the property. “Thirteen” honors its heritage, while “Palace” marks a fresh beginning.
IAG: Under the new team’s leadership, what new role does The 13 Palace aim to play within Macau’s diversified tourism market?
JL: Many hotels nowadays pursue minimalism, but The 13 Palace is different. We seek to retain this rich, dramatic luxury that is rarely seen today.
The 13 Palace offers an alternative high-end travel experience in Macau. Guests can step away from their busy daily lives, stay overnight, enjoy a fine meal and savor a rare taste of luxury.
IAG: We know that The 13 Palace has been modelled on the architectural aesthetics of the Louvre in France. Could you walk us through the hotel’s design?
JL: We took a restrained approach during the renovation, because the hotel’s greatest asset lies in its original architecture and interiors. We did not overhaul everything simply to follow today’s minimalist trend. Instead, we want to preserve these irreplicable carvings, materials, craftsmanship and spaces, while upgrading the facilities, technology and services to meet modern guests’ needs.
IAG: Which details would you most recommend guests discover for themselves?
JL: Some first-time visitors remark that the property feels like a museum. We are not merely displaying artworks inside the hotel; rather, art is embedded within the architecture itself.
Whether in guestrooms, public areas or restaurants, look up at the ceilings, examine wall carvings and notice the diverse materials and craftsmanship – there are details everywhere.
I encourage guests not to just take a photo and leave. Slow down and explore during their stay or over a meal. For visitors who appreciate architecture and design, this experience is what makes The 13 Palace truly unique.
IAG: The hotel features 199 standalone villa-style suites ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 square feet, with private direct-access elevators and butler service. Beyond these, what other amenities have been introduced?
JL: The suites are inherently spacious, and the private elevator design delivers a high level of privacy from the moment guests arrive.
Yet I have always believed true luxury is not just about room size or expensive finishes. What matters most is whether guests can truly unwind within the space.
The rooms continue the hotel’s opulent design. Most people live and work in minimalist environments day-to-day. On special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries or simply for a much-needed break – staying at The 13 Palace offers a completely different lifestyle experience.
Together with private butlers, limousine transfers, dining and personalized arrangements, we want guests to enjoy not just a large suite, but quality time entirely for themselves.
IAG: We notice The 13 Palace has introduced many leisure offerings, including Macau’s first hot spring pools, wellness programs such as oxygen chambers, and large vertical green walls. Why were these innovative elements added?
JL: Today’s high-end travelers expect more than beautiful rooms and great food. Many live fast paced lives, so slowing down becomes the greatest luxury when they go on holiday.
We have added hot springs, spa treatments, oxygen chambers and various wellness experiences, alongside extensive greenery across the hotel. Our goal is to let guests escape the hustle and bustle once they arrive.
This aligns perfectly with our location in Coloane: a quiet, laidback area. We hope guests do not rush through an overnight stay, but truly take time to enjoy their suites, facilities and the surroundings.
IAG: Fine dining is an essential part of luxury getaways. What can you tell us about the F&B offering?
JL: Macau already boasts an outstanding array of restaurants. Simply opening more fine dining venues would add little value.
Beyond cuisine and service, what makes The 13 Palace’s dining distinctive is the spaces themselves. Many of our restaurants were conceived from the outset to integrate architecture, decor and dining experience. Guests dine not in an ordinary venue, but within an exquisitely designed environment. We hope guests will associate The 13 Palace with more than accommodation.
It may be for a celebration with family or friends over a special meal, or simply a few hours of escape from daily routines. Great dining is not only about what you eat. Where you dine, who you are with, and the memories created are equally important.
IAG: The 13 Palace sits in Coloane, close to attractions including a golf course and the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion. How will the hotel leverage its location to encourage visitors to extend their stay in Macau?
JL: Coloane’s location is one of The 13 Palace’s key strengths. Many visitors picture Macau as a bustling destination for entertainment and shopping, yet Coloane offers a completely different side – quiet, natural and full of slow experiences.
This resonates closely with the feeling The 13 Palace aims to deliver.
We want guests to escape the crowds and packed itineraries. They can relax at the hotel, enjoying suites, dining, wellness and other facilities, or venture out to explore Coloane, the Panda Pavilion and other local leisure attractions nearby.
IAG: The Macau government is actively promoting cross-sector “Tourism +” initiatives and non-gaming development. How will The 13 Palace drive diversification in Macau’s high-end tourism sector?
JL: Moving forward, we aim to better connect The 13 Palace with Coloane’s wider tourism offerings. Macau has a quieter, slower side beyond its bustling center. We hope The 13 Palace can serve as a starting point for visitors to discover this other side of Macau.
If this encourages guests to stay an extra day and experience the city differently, that is the value we can bring to Macau’s diversified tourism.
