The Grand Emperor hotel in Macau has ripped up its iconic lobby floor to sell off the gold bricks embedded in it - pocketing almost $13million (£9.6m) amid a surge in the metal's value. The hotel, which opened in 2006, has built a reputation for its ultra-luxurious design, including a 'golden pathway' at its entrance made from dozens of gold bars. But its owner Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd, based in Hong Kong, said in a stock exchange filing this week that changing market conditions made it an ideal time to sell. While the gold helped create a 'sumptuous and resplendent atmosphere', the company said it recognised ... (full story)