A themed resort that lets homesick Brits gaze up lovingly at "the Elizabeth Tower" and drink an afternoon tea has opened in Asia.
Londoner Macao is a love letter to all things British - including Premier League football and members only clubs - but situated in the south of China.
While the intriguing hotel has been operational for two years, strict coronavirus pandemic restrictions stopped many visiting and pushed the official opening back to last week.
On hand to declare the Londoner open was David Beckham, who designed high-end suites in the property and is its global ambassador.
The 14 Beckham suites are decorated in a muted grey and blue and feature his initials on the pillows. Guests can also sample some cigars, foods and whiskeys hand-picked by the star himself.
The Londoner includes two all-suite hotels, The Londoner Hotel and Londoner Court, and a number of iconic British landmarks which will be recognisable by anyone who has visited or received a postcard from the English capital.
This includes a replica of Elizabeth Tower (best known as the home of clock Big Ben), a full size copy of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain and a Shakespeare-inspired three-story atrium designed in the style of the Royal Albert Hall.
Almost as if you were in outside Buckingham Palace in central London itself, once-a-day a Changing of the Guard ceremony will take place.
The hotel rooms have been designed with an "upscale British ambiance" and feature marble nightstands, custom beds with plush fabric headboards, elegant chesterfield sofas, high-backed leather armchairs, and Victorian-style bathtubs.
Inside the rooms guests can relax on massage chairs, Victorian-style marble bathtubs, private powder rooms and pillow menus.
Guests can also take a virtual ride in London-style black taxi for a tour of the city led by a hologram of Beckham, or board a classic red double-decker bus.
There’s also a replica of 10 Downing Street, a statue of Winston Churchill flashing the V-for-victory sign and a model of the Downing Street car Larry.
Nelson’s Column from Trafalgar Square, the Abbey Road crossing featured on the front of The Beatles album of the same name, and statues of monarchs King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I further add to the British-ness.
Guests can also settle down to tea and cakes in the shape of crowns at Churchill’s Table cafe.
As visitors paddle in the heated swimming pools outside the hotel they can watch the mini-light show on the Big Ben clock face
David Beckham said: “The Londoner Macao is another exceptional property by Sands. Everything has been created so guests have the best experience possible and the attention to detail is like no other.
"This integrated resort feels very personal to me and being part of the development has been an incredible project – not only is it bringing my home town to Macao, but also the first David Beckham Suites. I can’t wait to be back in Macao to see it all – it looks spectacular.”
