from Casino Life Magazine
November 2014
Bill Healey reports on one of South East Asia ’s most impressive Resort Casinos
Designed to draw
domestic and international tourists to the pristine, sun-drenched beaches of
southern Vietnam , the Ho
Tram Strip is quickly becoming one of Asia ’s
top
leisure getaways. With a focus on providing a personalized blend of
excitement and relaxation, the Ho Tram Strip features something for everyone --
whether it be one of the region’s top golf courses, Vietnam’s first
international standard casino, lavishly appointed accomodation, incredible
entertainment options to premium dining shopping or exceptional recreational
facilities.
Casino Life Magazine November 2014 |
“We are set on
more than 400 acres of land along a 2.2 kilometer beach and surrounded by
protected forest, and conveniently located just two hours away from Vietnam’s
largest metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City,” said Stephen Shoemaker, Chief Executive
Officer of Asian Coast Development (Canada) Ltd, the developer of the Ho Tram
Strip.
The first phase of
the Ho Tram Strip - The Grand Ho Tram Strip - opened its doors in July 2013,
and includes 541 five star rooms, gaming, meeting and convention space, nine
bars and restaurants, a spa, teen’s and children’s areas, three swimming pools
and gift shops.
The second phase
will include a mixture of vacation homes comprised of condominiums and
residential villa developments. Ultimately the Ho Tram Strip will one more
integrated resort with world class amenities and three additional five-star
resorts.
The Grand was the
first truly integrated resort to open in Vietnam . Its current gaming
facilities offer 585 slot
machines, 90 table games and multiple VIP table rooms for the finest in
full-service gambling. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the gaming
features include:
Table
games: 90 table games including VIP Baccarat, Baccarat, VIP Roulette, Roulette,
Sic Bo, Blackjack, Ho Tram Stud Poker Progressive, Ho Tram Hold’em Poker,
Progressive and VIP Texas Hold’em. Baccarat is the casino’s top table game.
Slots:
585 slot machine (including 118 electronic table games which consists of
Roulette, Baccarat, Sic Bo and Craps; 32 machines in VIP-high limit area, 8
machines in private gaming rooms)
The casino offers
a selection of multiplayer machines, including:
Lucky Big Wheel -
Aruze..........................................15
Lucky Sic Bo -
Aruze .................................................8
Craps - Aruze
..............................................................8
Interblock G3
Roulette.............................................64
Interblock G4
Roulette & Baccarat........................38
Best performing
electronic gaming machines include Aristocrat and Shuffle Master.
The resort also provides both Poker and Slot
Tournaments. For slot tournaments, there is a buy-in and a time-limit. When the
time limit expires, players have a final spin, starting with the player with
the lowest credit. If they win here, they can continue to play up to five
more times, with the winner being the player with the highest credit at the end
of the session. The Grand has been playing this in heats, with a final
round play-off to determine a winner.
“Our casino
offering is targeting tourists from around Asia, with an emphasis on mainland
China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Korea,” said The Grand’s
recently appointed President, Shaun McCamley. “So far, tourists from the PRC
have made up the
largest group of inbound visitors to the property. We also
market to Viet Kieu (foreigners of Vietnamese origin) from all over the world,
as well as the local resident expatriate community. The Grand’s non-gaming
targets includes local Vietnamese, typically seeking a truly unique F&B,
leisure and golf experience.”
Along with casino
gaming, the resort offers an array of world-class leisure activities. In recent
weeks (October 2014), the Ho Tram Strip delivered further on its vision to
develop a truly unique destination resort in Asia
with the opening of The Bluffs – a championship golf course designed by golfing
icon Greg Norman.
With Norman himself
on hand to cut the ribbon on a course he has called one of the two most
beautiful that he has ever been involved in, the course has been open for
preview play since early in 2014, The Bluffs has already been nominated for
three Asia Pacific Golf Awards, including Best New Golf Course in Asia Pacific,
Best Golf Course in Vietnam and Best Golf Course Superintendent (Ali
Macfadyen). In so doing, it became the first course to ever be nominated in
three categories at the prestigious awards.
“To be recognized in
such fashion without even being officially open speaks volumes to this course
and the job everyone here has done,” said Ben Styles, General Manager of The
Bluffs Ho Tram Strip. “We can’t wait for the world to come and enjoy what I
firmly believe is as good as any golf experience that exists.”
Speaking from The
Bluffs launch, Harbinger Capital Principal and Ho Tram Strip
investor Philip
Falcone took the opportunity to announce that the Ho Tram Project Company would
be developing both condominiums and villas which would be available to both
international and domestic investors.
Adding to The
Grand’s allure is the opportunity to escape into the resort’s signature spa.
This beautifully designed sanctuary provides a constant cycle of anticipation
while unveiling surprise and delight. Ancient healing traditions of the world’s
richest cultures combine with modern sensory immersion technology to help
restore balance and inspire a sense of rejuvenation, connection, and well
being.
For a bold new
evolutionary nightlife experience, Club 9 offers an unforgettable place to
party. Embodying the mysticism, power and seduction of the dragon; the
fashionable nightclub allows guests to indulge in their specialty cocktails as
well as a unique bottle service presented by their gorgeous team of Natural
9’s.
In recent months,
Asian Coast Development (Canada )
Ltd., the owner of The Grand Ho Tram Strip, announced two new investments in
the property in 2014. The first in July, was an investment of US$20 million by
NewCity Capital, an entity established by American investor Mr. Chien Lee. In
September, Asian Coast Development announced a US$50 million funding commitment
from its majority shareholder, Harbinger Capital. Harbinger is the majority
owner of Asian Coast Development Ltd along with minority owners Pinnacle
Entertainment and NewCity Capital.
Asian Coast
Development Ltd.’s Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Mr.
Stephen Shoemaker as Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors as well as
its President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Shoemaker had
previously served as ACDL’s President and Chief Financial Officer since 2008.
With over 30 years of financial and operating experience in the hospitality and
telecommunications industry, Shoemaker’s extensive background will be used in
developing strategy, overseeing financial operations and fund raising
activities.
Bill has been working in the global leisure
and gaming technology industry for more than thirty years. Based in Bali for the past ten years, he frequently writes and
consults on gaming, golf, club and spa management.
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