Once Kicked Out, Now the Owner: You buy an iconic hotel from your past

Simon Sio, once a young boy who turned away from Macao’s famous Hotel Central, now owns the very hotel that once denied him entry. Recalling his experience, Sio shared with CNN that after facing the humiliation of being asked to leave the hotel as a child, he made a promise to himself, saying, “I swore I would buy it someday.” Today, aged 65, Simon Sio has achieved his dream by acquiring Hotel Central, a historic establishment that first opened its doors in 1928.

Sio, the founder of property development company Lek Hang Group, did not continue to own the hotel out of resentment. Instead, he was driven by a desire to restore this significant part of Macao’s cultural heritage. Originally known as the President Hotel, Hotel Central was a city landmark, but by the 1960s it had fallen into disrepair. Sio felt a deep personal connection to the hotel, describing it as “an idol” of his youth and a structure he grew up admiring. Witnessing its decay over time filled him with sadness, which ultimately inspired him to act.

After a long seven-year acquisition process that was completed in 2016, Sio faced the challenging task of renovating the nearly century-old hotel, which is classified as a protected cultural heritage. His team developed innovative strategies, including a unique piling method, to reinforce the building’s structure without altering its historic character. Despite setbacks, including delays from the covid-19 pandemic, Sio completed the renovation with an investment of around 2.2 billion Macanese Pataca (approximately INR 2,310 crore). The updated Hotel Central now has 114 retro-style rooms, a “Historical Cultural Corridor” exhibit and plans for additional amenities such as a rooftop bar and shopping mall.

Stressing the value of historic preservation, Sio stressed the unique importance of projects like Hotel Central, noting, “Money can produce volume, but money cannot recreate history.” He hopes the revival of Hotel Central will inspire similar efforts to restore Macau’s historic sites, broadening the city’s appeal beyond its casinos. Looking ahead, Sio remains optimistic about Macau’s tourism potential, seeing it as an “exquisite jewel” that can thrive by preserving and showcasing its unique history.