Is there anything he WON’T do for money? Now David Beckham designs £580-a-night hotel suites for the Chinese after facing backlash for his £150m deal with Qatar and pocketing cash to help Xi Jinping win the World Cup
- Footballer has created 14 suites in Macau that are invitation-only, boasting monogrammed Beckham linens
- A suite at The Londoner in Macao can typically cost between £575 (HK$6098) and £599.13 (HK$6348)
- Mr Beckham, 46, worth an estimated £380million, has been working in China for approaching a decade
- He met President Xi in 2012 in LA and in 2013 became China’s international football ambassador
- Star has also promoted Adidas, Jaguar and other big brands in Beijing, raking in millions of dollars of cash
- Chinese fans nicknamed him ‘Xiao Bei’, which translates as ‘Little Becks’, and he has also spoken Mandarin
David Beckham is now raking in cash by choosing furniture, linens and art for suites in a £580-per-night hotel in China’s Las Vegas after another big money deal in his friend President Xi’s Communist state.
The former England captain, 46, worth an estimated £380million ($518million), has co-designed 14 rooms at The Londoner in Macau where guests who fancy sleeping with the star for the night can do so – because his picture is on the wall next to the beds.
It came amid anger after Beckham signed a deal worth £150million over 10 years to become the face of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and an ambassador for the emirate.
His interior design deal in Macau is Mr Beckham’s latest big money foray into China, where he has been nicknamed ‘Xiao Bei’, which translates as ‘Little Becks’. He has also been recording video messages in Mandarin for Beijing’s version of TikTok, called Douyin, which he joined in 2020.
His Chinese tie-ups began after he and Chinese leader President Xi became friends in 2012, after meeting at a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game. And a year later he was appointed as China’s first global soccer ambassador at a time when the state’s Super League was marred by match fixing claims and international stars fleeing the country.
But the launch went badly when David, who was playing for Paris Saint-Germain at the time, fell over on camera while trying to take a free kick in a suit and smart shoes. In the press conference that followed he declined to comment on whether he was being paid for his ambassador role, and whether he expected it to add millions of dollars to his already sizeable fortune.
But he did tell journalists that his favourite Chinese food is noodles and that he loved his Chinese nickname Xiao Bei.
In 2017 he agreed a deal to appear daily on Chinese state television introducing a series of coaching videos for youngsters to watch, again after a plea from Xi, who has promised the country his aim is to win a World Cup tournament and host it. He was also mobbed at a street football event in Beijing run by Adidas, the German brand that has him a £115million golden handcuffs deal.
But not everything about him is loved in China. State broadcaster CCTV muzzed largely everything but his face in one of his travel documentaries because censors prohibit broadcasters showing tattooed celebrities on TV.
David Beckham presents a signed LA Galaxy shirt to President Xi, who later made the former England captain China’s first football ambassador with the aim of helping the country one day win the World Cup by increasing participation
There has been anger after Beckham signed a deal worth £150million over 10 years to become the face of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and an ambassador for the emirate. Here he hugs businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi before the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit on November 21, 2021
Relaxing: Part of The Londoner chain, the Chinese hotel says the suites, ‘reflect the best of the star’s discerning style and sophistication and feature the comforts he enjoys when travelling’
In an advert for the hotel, the former sportsman seems unimpressed that London should be represented by umbrellas, pie and mash, and cricket, and so takes them into the city in a black taxi to show them some of the city’s real influences
David Beckham likes to think he is a man of the people — and he has the tattoos to prove it. However, the Communist state of China takes a rather different view of his body art, muzzing it on state TV
Beckham is understood to have made approaching £300million from the world’s biggest brands, including a £115million lifetime deal with Adidas. More than £50million has come in from watchmakers Tudor, scotch brand Haig Club and Armani. His deal with Gillette. More than £10million more came in from Pepsi, Jaguar and games company Konami.
Happy: The footballer has created a series of rooms that will be available to book by invitation-only, with each space boasting his portrait on the wall, as well as his initials monogrammed on the linens (David is pictured with wife Victoria)
MailOnline has approached Mr Beckham for comment.
In his latest venture in Macau, the footballer has created a series of rooms that will be available to book by invitation only, with each space boasting his portrait on the wall, as well as his initials monogrammed on the linens.
Part of The Londoner chain, the Chinese hotel says the suites, ‘reflect the best of the star’s discerning style and sophistication and feature the comforts he enjoys when travelling’.
David’s suites boast a decor inspired by his English background, with swish velvet furnishings, a marble dining table and personalised bedding.
As well as a snap of himself, each room also features a portrait of his wife Victoria showcasing her photography skills, with guests also gaining access to an exclusive bar, as well as a restaurant serving an array of classic British dishes.
In a video released to promote the suites, David can be seen offering his expertise during the design process, insisting the bedrooms should be gold, before two of the designers come in with an array of ideas.
The sportsman seems unimpressed that London should be represented by umbrellas, pie and mash, and cricket, and so takes them into the city in a black taxi.
Attempting to go incognito, the sporting legend can be seen attaching signs saying ‘To Macao’ in various areas, including the taxi, a market and the window of an English pub, before slyly leaving the two designers at the bar, to the bewilderment of onlookers.
A suite at The Londoner in Macao can cost between £575 (HK$6098) and £599.13 (HK$6348) for two people, with their typical Louis Suite spread over 807 sq. ft. with a separate living room, a deluxe marble bathroom with a decor inspired by the chain’s regal British roots.
Visitors can dine on Cantonese dumplings or Portuguese cod balls and gaze at the historic centre of Macau, a Unesco world heritage site, which ranks as the finest example of European architecture on Chinese soil.
Say cheese! As well as a snap of himself, each room also features a portrait of his wife Victoria showcasing her photography skills, with guests also gaining access to an exclusive bar, as well as a restaurant serving an array of classic British dishes
Swanky: David Beckham has added yet another string to his illustrious business bow, lending a hand in designing a collection of 14 suites for a £580-per-night luxurious hotel in Macao, dubbed ‘The Las Vegas of the East’
Who designed them? David’s suites will each boast bed linens monogrammed with his initiails, meaning guests won’t forget who is responsible for the comfortable space
Wow! A suite at The Londoner in Macao can cost between £575 (HK$6098) and £599.13 (HK$6348) for two people restaurant is pictured)
Dinner is served! They can also enjoy a meal at the hotel’s restaurant serving an array of classic British dishes
Swanky: The decor is clearly inspired by the chain’s British roots with it’s relaxed feel in the midst of its Far East location
Relaxing: Their typical Louis Suite spread over 807 sq. ft. with a separate living room, a deluxe marble bathroom with a decor inspired by the chain’s regal British roots
Relaxed: The space also includes cosy velvet furnishings and a separate living and dining space
Meanwhile the hotel’s Victoria Suite boasts all the same amenities, but includes two double beds as opposed to one king-sized bed for guests to enjoy.
The suites are being promoted as more desirable than the Windsor ones, which cost £756 per night.
Windsor Suites boast their own separate living room and dining area, and ‘feature contemporary interpretations of classic British, with all the modern comforts, accented with a mindfully selected art collection.’
Along with a Victorian-style bathtub with bespoke bath amenities, each suite also features a menu of pillows, a British themed breakfast for guests to enjoy in-suite, and an artisan minibar cabinet.
And while David’s suites are being branded the height of luxury, the Londoner’s prices are a far cry from some of British capital’s top hotels.
For example, a junior suite at The Savoy for two people costing between £1,197 and £1,556 per night, while their top booking, a personality King Suite with a panoramic river view, costing an eye-watering £3,907 per night.
Elsewhere, an executive suite at the legendary Ritz hotel has prices beginning at £1,675 per night, and according to the hotel’s website, ‘each suite has been elegantly designed with a unique flourish to ensure guests cannot wait to sink into its comfy sofas after an exciting day of sightseeing or shopping in London’s world-famous shopping districts.’
Deluxe suites begin at £2,175 per night, and each ‘features a beautifully decorated bedroom in signature Ritz Louis XVI style, an elegant and generous sitting room, and a large marble bathroom.’
The Dorchester boastes suites ranging from £1,095 to £4,465, with the top option being the self-titled Dorchester Suite, which boasts an ‘English residential-style interior.’
When compared to some of the East’s other accomodations, The Londoner can be viewed as downright frugal, with a Ritz Carlton Suite at Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong costing a jaw-dropping £14,600 per night.
The room includes 270-degree views of Victoria Harbour and spans 3,930 square feet, as well as mongrammed pillows and bathrobes designed especially for each guest.
Macau was originally used only by the Portuguese community – and was a colony until 1999, before being handed back to China, the neighbouring state.
The result is a blend of Oriental and European cultures, with the ruined of 17th century St Paul’s Church – destroyed by fire in 1835 – is close to Chinese temples.
Visitors can dine on Cantonese dumplings or Portuguese cod balls and gaze at the historic centre of Macau, a Unesco world heritage site, which ranks as the finest example of European architecture on Chinese soil.
Given his vast array of business ventures, it’s no surprise David was reported to be splashing out on a £5million 93.5ft superyacht, named Seven, last month.
It was reported that David had ‘treated himself’ to the the luxury vessel which he helped design after being inspired by his maritime jaunts with Sir Elton John and David Furnish – who often holiday at sea.
In the summer, David was spotted at an Italian shipyard Ferretti’s HQ in Forli where he perused the yachts and now the footballer is enjoying his new purchase with his wife and in-laws.
A source told The Sun last month: ‘David had a look around some yachts in the summer, and decided to treat himself. He helped design the boat himself, and has been incredibly hands-on with everything.
‘It’s not an oligarch-style super-yacht, but it’s still pretty plush by anyone’s standards. He was inspired after holidaying with Elton and David on their boat – and loves life on the water.
‘There will be an area for the kids to snorkel, and the boat will be a brilliant base for the whole Beckham clan to have magical holidays abroad.’
Keeping clean: Each suite boasts a sprawling marble bathroom with a large Victoria-style bathtub
Spitting image: Meanwhile the hotel’s Victoria Suite boasts all the same amenities, but includes two double beds as opposed to one king-sized bed for guests to enjoy
Splashing out: Along with a Victorian-style bathtub with bespoke bath amenities, each suite also features a menu of pillows, a British themed breakfast for guests to enjoy in-suite, and an artisan minibar cabinet
Pricey? The suites are being promoted as more desirable than the Windsor ones, which cost £756 per night
Time for a break! Along with a Victorian-style bathtub with bespoke bath amenities, each suite also features a menu of pillows, a British themed breakfast for guests to enjoy in-suite, and an artisan minibar cabinet
David proudly named his vessel after his iconic shirt number he wore for six years while playing for Manchester United, he also wore the number seven for international games for England.
Earlier this month it emerged that Beckham is set to make £200million after reportedly agreeing to sell more than half his company to a US branding giant.
The ex-footballer is said to have sold 55 per cent of his business, DB ventures, to Authentic Brands Group.
It owns fashion brand Juicy Couture and also works with basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
But it is believed that Beckham, 46, won’t pocket all the cash.
According to The Mail on Sunday, the deal was done to help pay off debt, remove some business partners and free up some capital for the London-based company.
‘The figure of £200 million is unexpectedly high for his company, he has had a result here,’ a source told the newspaper.
‘While the money is a big deal for David, so is cracking America properly. There are a lot of people there who don’t really know who he is.
‘Having these people owning his business, he hopes, will change that. That should have a knock on effect on his football club.’
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