Capella, named the World’s Best Hotel Brand by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for three years in a row, is now officially open at Galaxy Macau. In a city considered a world leader in five-star hotels by Forbes Travel Guide, leading the new property, officially inaugurated on 10 February, carries both responsibility and prestige. All eyes are on Capella, waiting to see how a brand built on “bespoke experiences shaped by culture, craftsmanship, and unparalleled attention to detail” carves out a niche in Asia’s gambling mecca.

The executive entrusted with that mission is Andy Lio, a Macao-born hotelier who rose through the ranks of the city’s most prestigious hospitality brands. He has overseen several properties at Galaxy Macau. Most recently, as general manager of Raffles at Galaxy Macau, he led the team to a Forbes Five-Star award in 2024 – no small feat in the property’s first full year of operation.

Competition is fierce, with hospitality players scrambling to deliver highly personalised, intention-driven stays. Now at Capella, the Macao University of Tourism alumnus focuses on how to stand out. “At Capella at Galaxy Macau, distinction is born from curiosity and innovation – always asking how we can craft experiences that feel extraordinary, yet deeply personal.”

In a local hotel market where ultra-luxury and lavishness seem to be the norm, Capella stands out as a jungle-chic retreat with a residential feel, built on anticipating guests’ needs. With the signature of Paris-based design studio Moinard Bétaille, the Macao address is a “gilded jungle” sporting wilderness elements cleverly woven into every corner. Pony & Plume, the hotel’s whisky lounge featuring over 650 rare labels, and an upcoming fine-dining spot by Vicky Cheng – whose Wing restaurant is ranked number two on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list – add to its appeal. There’s also the Capella Living Room, where tea ceremonies, baijiu tastings, and cultural introductions take place.

Suites at Capella range from 128 to 180 square metres, and penthouses reach nearly 700 square metres. The hotel is said to offer the largest suites in southern China. Each of the property’s 95 rooms and penthouses has been designed down to the smallest detail, with jungle-themed custom-made wallpaper tying the aesthetic together.

The four-bedroom penthouse is Capella’s star offering. It comes complete with its own soundproof movie and karaoke room, a gym, an OSIM massage chair, a Winter Garden with diamond-stitched leather sofas reminiscent of vintage car seats, spa-like bathrooms rich in Italian marble with soaking tubs, and his-and-hers showers. No less impressive are the massive sliding doors opening to spacious terraces and a glass-walled infinity pool heated to 30 degrees.

Amenities are placed throughout the penthouse, each anticipating a different guest need. After breaking a sweat at the gym, you’ll find wellness teas. By the pool table, candy and popcorn are at the ready. Head over to the KTV, and shelves are stocked with a famous brand of tequila among other spirits.

“Luxury here is not a moment, but a way of living, where guests feel at home” Lio shares. “They’re welcome to linger, cared for with intuitive, personalised service.” 

Expert “Capella culturists” ensure a deep immersion rich in the region’s unique history, gastronomy and heritage, he says. “Our Capella culturists are storytellers at heart, their passion transforms heritage into living encounters, ensuring every guest feels Macao’s spirit,” Lio notes. He adds that some have trained as Macao tour guides at the Macau University of Tourism, where the executive also acts as guest speaker and hotel ambassador.

Beyond ensuring guests get the ultra-luxe experience the Capella brand is famed for, Lio brings a deep knowledge of place that only a local can possess. When guests ask for recommendations – things to do, see or eat in the city – he notes that “no journey should be scripted, our recommendations are centred around each guest’s individuality – creating experiences as unique as their own story.”

He might recommend a visit to the Three Lamps area, in his childhood neighbourhood, for a tour of its local market brimming with life (plus freshly steamed char siu bao). Or, for those curious about Portuguese influence in the territory, he suggests a visit to the Pousada de Mong Ha up on Mong Ha hill (its educational restaurant serves up Macanese staples worth trying too). For an evening out, he’ll recommend catching a film at the storied Art Deco Cinema Alegria, then heading to a nearby hawker for what he describes as “not so healthy, late-night snacking”. The bottom line is that hospitality is all about curating experiences and reading your guest.

As general manager, Lio works closely with the Capella team, overseeing every side of the operation – from engineering to housekeeping, and marketing. Of course, he’s responsible for revenue too. Numbers are looking good for Capella at Galaxy Macau: the hotel’s current occupancy rate is over 90 per cent, and in its short life, it has seen the likes of Hong Kong comedian Jimmy O. Yang stay in its swanky penthouses (designed to accommodate celebrities and their entourages, too).

With Lio at the helm, the city’s own gilded jungle is off to a golden start.