Australia has plans for the world’s biggest hotel
The proposed $8.15 billion Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort planned for Yorkeys Knob in Cairns. Source: SuppliedWHEN you think of the world’s biggest hotels, you usually conjure up images of the main strip of Vegas.
However plans for the world’s biggest hotel have been submitted right here in Australia.
The $8.15 billion Aquis project was put forward by Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung for a six star hotel and casino with 7500 rooms just outside of Cairns.
However the grand plans have come to a grinding halt as Queensland’s Gaming Commission refused to speed up its approval for the takeover bid of Reef Casino Trust, which owns Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns, as part of the project.
The proposed resort is to sit over a lagoon complex. Source: Supplied
Proposed design of the casino lobby with an aquarium. Source: Supplied
The decision to grant regulatory approval for the proposed takeover expires on November 28 and Aquis says it will not extend meaning the offer will lapse. Plans for the resort are likely to still go ahead.
Caught up in red tape, Far North Queensland civic and business leaders yesterday urged the Newman Government to hasten the process and support tourism.
The resort is planned on a former sugar cane farm in Yorkey’s Knob, 15km north of Cairns, and is to feature an 18 hole golf course and lagoon.
Aboriginal artwork is to decorate its walls. Source: Supplied
Imagine the housekeeping for 7500 rooms. Source: Supplied
The property at Yorkeys Knob which will be the site of the proposed $4.2 billion AQUIS Great Barrier Reef Resort. Picture: Mccormack Marc Source: News Corp Australia
Currently the biggest hotel in Australia is the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney with 682 rooms, meaning the proposed resort would be a whopping 11 times bigger.
The Four Points by Sheraton, Sydney takes the gong as Australia’s biggest. Picture: NSW Department of Planning. Source: Supplied
A look at the world’s biggest hotels
MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Rooms: 6,852
The MGM Grand is one of the hotels / casinos on the Las Vegas strip Source: Getty ImagesFirst World Hotel, Malaysia
Rooms: 6,118
Ambassador City, Thailand
Rooms: 4,219
The Venetian, Las Vegas
Rooms: 4,027
The Venetian hotel and casino is like a floating city. Source: SuppliedExcalibur, Las Vegas
Rooms: 3,981
Which pool should you swim at today? Source: Supplied
