10 reasons to visit the Galaxy Macau

The Galaxy Macau is the latest mega casino resort to rise out of the Cotai strip. Costing nearly US$2 billion the integrated development features a ginormous casino and three world-class hotels in the complex, including the Banyan Tree, Hotel Okura, and the Galaxy Hotel.

Yawn. Macau is full of superlative-laden casino-hotels. The Galaxy knows that it will have to try that much harder to prove itself worthy of punters' cash. And here are 10 ways in which this behemoth has managed to outshine the crowd.

See how Macau is moving beyond the Baccarat table with the opening of the Galaxy Macau.

1. World's largest rooftop wave pool

Waves in the city.

Within the perpetual construction site that is the Cotai strip, there exists a lush oasis of sun, sand and simulated sea.

The Galaxy's 4,000-square-meter outdoor wave pool is edged by 150 meters of sand. It is a surreal experience to step out of the neon-lit casinos and onto a postcard-perfect fake beach.

Guests are encouraged to build sandcastles, sunbathe on lounge chairs, splash around in the 1.5- meter-high simulated waves, and generally behave as they would on a beach holiday while ignoring the construction around them.

2. An other-wordly tea room

The tea ceremony room can be booked through the Hotel Okura.

Drinking tea inside a paper pod is definitely reason to head to the Hotel Okura's Yamazato restaurant. The alien-like globe is a sanctuary for appreciating the Japanese tea ceremony.

Meticulous is the word for this perfectly spherical room. It took artists Kanri Nakano and Ryuki Itakura two years to construct the three-meter-diameter globe. They used fiber reinforced polyester covered in washi paper with "huto gisu" -- green and white tints to evoke Spring.

The globe is stronger than it looks due to the polyester and paper blend, which means that accidental spillage of tea on walls won't instantly melt the translucent globe. Besides, resident tea master Shirai Yayoi, who boasts 50 years of experience, would never allow any accidents.

The pod fits one tea master plus two guests and the ceremony lasts 40 minutes in air-conditioned comfort. If tea is not your thing, try Yamazato's bar that offers 50 varieties of sake.

Artisans assembled the tea ceremony pod on location.

The pod walls are thin and have a glowing effect.