Macau’s Ponte 16 Resort is celebrating two important milestones this year: the 16th anniversary of the resort’s opening and the 60th anniversary of the Sofitel hotel brand.
Opened in 2008, Ponte 16 Resort is one of the largest integrated entertainment and leisure destinations in the Inner Harbour area and as such has become an important driver for the area’s development.
Situated in a historic district neighboring UNESCO heritage sites, Ponte 16 Resort overlooks scenic vistas along the waterfront and is home to the five-star Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16, as well as a luxurious casino, diverse entertainment and leisure experiences alongside exquisite global cuisines.
As a landmark of the Inner Harbour, the development of Ponte 16 has driven the prosperity of the surrounding region. In those 16 years, a large number of hotels, restaurants and retail stores have emerged in the Inner Harbour area, significantly improving the service level and quality of the entire area. The inflow in visitors has also contributed to the strong momentum of the economic development of the Inner Harbour.
Ponte 16 Resort has not only become a landmark of the Inner Harbour area but has also played a crucial role in driving the transformation and growth of Macau’s tourism industry. Through its hotel, casino and dining outlets, the resort has consistently delivered unparalleled experiences for visitors, cementing Macau’s status as a premier tourism and leisure destination.
Committed to fostering Macau’s cultural, travel and entertainment sectors, Ponte 16 Resort fully supports the charitable activities and actively engaged in various initiatives to promote local art and cultural events, aiding in the transformation of Macau into a World Center of Tourism and Leisure. This extensive involvement includes collaboration with the Macau government on diverse exhibitions and events aiming at revitalizing local communities and reinforcing Ponte 16 Resort’s commitment to creating social value.
This year also represents the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Sofitel hotel brand. Originating in France, Sofitel has been dedicated to promoting the modern French art de vivre around the world since its inception. The company has spared no effort in creating products and experiences that allow guests to immerse themselves in the essence and charm of French culture.
This year, the Sofitel brand has become the official partner of the “China-France Spring of Culture” exchange activities, with Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 hosting a series of exclusive events.
French Diamond Dinner (Chef Exchange Program)
As part of the grand celebration, Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 hosted a culinary exchange program in May and June with two Sofitel flagship hotels – Sofitel Ambassador Seoul and Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Four top chefs from the three Sofitel hotels in Macau, Hanoi and Seoul created six diamond level cultural fusion culinary feasts to delight the palates of guests from the three regions.
Four Hands French Diamond Dinner
On 31 May, fine dining restaurant Privé was like a brilliant jewelry box, full of dazzling light with an elegant white long table displaying white fragrant flowers, sparkling diamonds and eye-catching silvery while the Sofitel 60th anniversary logo shone in the Macau night.
Mikael Robin, Executive Chef of Sofitel Ambassador Seoul and Chef Yvan Collet, Executive Chef of Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16, jointly presented a five-course “jewelry” feast for 26 distinguished guests, complemented by six selected French premium wines from Watson’s Wine, making each jewel-like delicacy even more splendid. As the familiar melody of the birthday song rang out at Privé, guests gathered around a specially customized 60th anniversary cake of Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 and sang in unison to celebrate Sofitel’s birthday. The atmosphere was lively and radiant.
Six Hands French Diamond Dinner
The highly anticipated Sofitel 60th anniversary Six hands French Diamond Dinners were held in Macau on 14 and 15 June. The event was led by a renowned culinary trio: Charles Degrendele, Executive Chef of Beaulieu at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi; Stephane Prost, Pastry Executive Chef at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: and Yvan Collet, French Executive Chef of Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16. This distinguished group of chefs drew a discerning crowd of guests, bringing a sparkling and dazzling presence to the rainy Macau evening.
In the glittering Privé, guests began a 6-course French-Vietnamese fusion feast by opening a treasure chest containing three Vietnamese-inspired amuse-bouches. A standout dish was Chef Yvan’s Foie Gras, elegantly designed with a double lotus flower on top, representing the city flower of Macau and the national flower of Vietnam. It also symbolized the collaboration between the chefs from Macau and Vietnam, and the link between the cultures of the two regions.
The “Lotus” pairing wine, selected by East Meets West Fine Wines, was expertly paired with the dish – its refreshing body complementing the delicate foie gras and ginger bread to create a brilliant flavor experience. In addition, the red wine “CHATEAU L’HOSPITALET La Clape’, selected by Vang Kei Hong, was served. This was the same wine that was enjoyed at a meeting between the Heads of State of France and China earlier this year.
Art Exhibition
Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 invited local artist Dawn Jian, who graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art – a top art institution in the United States – to create the meaningful “Treasure Pond of Lotus” sculpture for Sofitel’s 60th anniversary. It was unveiled in the lobby of Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 on 26 June, the birthday of Sofitel.
It is also a way to concretely embody Sofitel’s “Cultural Link”, the fusion between the French zest and the culture of local surroundings.
Jian specializes in integrating traditional Eastern culture with modern Western philosophy and incorporating various recyclable or natural materials into her installation art, paintings and design works.
Inspired by lotus flower – the floral emblem of Macau SAR and the theme of Sofitel’s 60th anniversary, Jian utilized a traditional Chinese fountain to present the budding lotus flower in an abstract and simple modeling for the public. The water cascades down from the sparkling spiral petals of the Lotus, creating a diamond-like sparkle in the lobby of Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16.
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This art piece is a blessing for Sofitel’s 60th anniversary and a tribute to Macau as the “Treasure Pond of Lotus”.
The “Treasure Pond of Lotus” will remain on display at Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16’s lobby until the end of August.
