Paul Kwok, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Macau, is tremendously proud of his hotel’s Christmas trees, which have been illuminated since early November.
“For the last three years, we have made a statement with our seasonal decorations, at minimal cost and maximum effect,” he laughed. Thirty-three metal frames are decorated with unwanted items that have been collected, throughout the 791-room hotel, over the previous 12 months.
In 2016, for instance, one tree was completely hung with ladies’ handbags, some with broken handles but others still looking usable. Some trees displayed rolls of newspapers, or single shoes, nearly all scuffed. During 2017, the hotel’s 600 associates have collected over 16,000 empty bottles, which had held Champagne and whisky as well as a variety of waters, have been held back for use as decoration.
Grand Hyatt Macau, managed by Hyatt, is part of Macau’s City of Dreams complex, and it is renowned for the significant metallic sculptures in its vast lobby. During the Christmas season this space becomes even more like a massive art gallery.
The GM was on hand as the tree shapes, themselves stored to be recycled, yet again, for Christmas use, were brought out and decorated. Teams started working on the decorations in mid-October, then distributed throughout the hotel’s public areas. Electricians subsequently installed LED lighting underneath each tree.
And what happens after the holidays? “The decorations are, well, recycled properly, and the trees are stored away for next year,” Kwok said.
