Grand Hyatt Macau celebrated three years last week (14 November) in typically elegant style with a themed Anniversary Ball.
The annual event has become a highly anticipated society soiree with a different theme and multi-venue experience each year. Following on from the success of the Modern & Chic Gala in 2010, and the Opulence Ball in 2011, the 2012 Ball was titled 1930s Shanghai.
The evening took guests on a journey back in time to the Golden Jazz Era and the nostalgia of life in 1930s Shanghai.
Over 350 specially invited guests, including dignitaries from the owning company Melco Crown Entertainment; City of Dreams; Hyatt Hotels Corporation; business partners; plus high-profile media from Macau, Hong Kong and mainland China, joined the elegant black-tie gala celebrations.
The 1930s Shanghai’ Ball began with a cocktail gathering in Salão do Teatro, where a Modern Chinese style set-up brimming with Oriental screens and fresh displays of Chinese native flowers added to the elegant ambience. Guests gathered around high tables as suited butlers served fine Champagne and signature cocktails.
Following the cocktail welcome, guests proceeded to the Foyer of the Grand Ballroom, which had been transformed with a large projector screen depicting nostalgic footage from the 1930s, evoking an ambience of reminiscence.
Moving into the Grand Ballroom, guests were surprised and delighted to step right into a living 1930s Shanghai homestead. A Ballroom setting like no other had been conjured where guests could explore and socialise in a recreated family living room, complete with velvet sofas and mahjong tables, plus an antique bedroom. Black and white archival photography and artworks hung on the walls. Chic 1930s bars and an art deco stage completed the atmospheric setting. Bringing the enchanting scene to life, actors dressed in fashions of the day interacted with guests within the different vintage scenarios.
The timeless elegance continued as guests sat down to a gourmet gala dinner at round tables set with black and red floral tablecloths and antique cutlery. Appetisers were shared ‘family style’ before superb main courses of Steamed Boston lobster with crab and lemongrass sauce, and Slow roasted US tenderloin with a red wine butter sauce, and a side-serving of body vegetables and wild mushrooms. Finally, diners enjoyed an indulgent dessert buffet prepared by Grand Hyatt Macau’s renowned Pastry Chefs stretching across the entire width of the Ballroom.
The period ambience was embellished throughout the evening as the Miracle Band sang ‘golden oldies’ tunes and a Russian dancing group serenaded through the dreamlike setting. Guests later joined the Russian dancers on the central dance floor to shimmy the night away.
“Grand Hyatt Macau is always striving for new, inspired ideas to create memorable and unique experiences for our hotel guests and event planners. Our “1930s Shanghai” Ball is truly a spectacle on the grandest scale,” said Mr Paul Kwok, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Macau.
