World famous mega casinos and malls, striking landmarks, and an exciting mix of Chinese and Portuguese cultural influences, Macau is the place that enthrals visitors the world over.
Whether you have heard of, or visited, Macau (also written Macao) or not there is a lot to learn of this small autonomous region on the south coast of China, and the best possible way in which to do this is, of course, to visit for yourself.
Spanning just 118sqkm, and with a population of around 650,000 people, Macau is a former Portuguese territory and is most probably best known for its impressive casino hotels, which light up the Cotai Strip.
If you’re considering a visit to this unique place, then read on for our guide to a luxury stay in Macau.
Casino resort fun
Overtaking Las Vegas as the world’s casino capital in terms of revenue, Macau is the new place to be if you’re looking to indulge in some fun at the gaming tables. It’s likely you’ll want to spend some time in the casinos, so maybe practice a little online before you go, so you can learn with real dealers and know what to expect in a real casino.
As mentioned, the Cotai Strip is the place to head to for a lot of the gambling fun, and houses 14 of the region’s 41 casinos for some head-turning fun. Dazzling skyscrapers line the streets and the themed hotels do a fantastic job of keeping their visitors entertained, but which ones should make it to your list?
The top casinos in Macau have to be The Venetian, the SJM Grand Lisboa, Wynn, Galaxy Macau Resort, City of Dreams Macau and MGM Cotai, but what makes them so impressive? For starters, the sheer opulence of these establishments is what makes them stand out among the rest, as well as the facilities they provide for guests.
The Venetian Macau is the seventh largest building in the world by floor area and the casino itself comes in as the second largest in the world, so it’s safe to say that visitors won’t be short of entertainment from the 800 gaming tables and over 6,000 slots while there. In addition to this, the resort, which is modelled on its sister resort in Las Vegas and is themed around the famed beauty of Venice, boasts the 15,000 seat Cotai Arena, which hosts entertainment and sporting events.
Visitors should also head to the spectacular Grand Lisboa to try out the food from its eight restaurants, which includes a Michelin-starred offering, before heading to the casino to make the most of its 230 gaming tables. The casino space at the Wynn Macau is said to cover 273,000 square feet and is a luxurious offering, which reflects the whole property, while the four spas, live underwater theatre, and impressive casino at The City of Dreams Macau is sure to delight.
Attractions in Macau
Aside from the aforementioned casinos, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy your time in this region in between nights at the poker table. The Ruins of St Paul’s – part of the Historic Centre of Macau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – are the ruins of a 17th-century Catholic religious complex and are one of Macau best known landmarks. Macau Tower boasts an observation deck, restaurants, theatres, Skywalk X and shopping malls and provides the best views of the area, while the pretty Senado Square, 15th-century A-Ma Temple, Macao Giant Panda Pavilion, Macau Science Center, Baroque St. Dominic’s Church, and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf theme park and shopping complex are all worth seeking out to learn more about the region, while providing plenty of memorable moments on your visit here.
Where to stay
The most impressive places to stay in Macau are arguably the casinos resorts that are dotted throughout, especially if you like to have everything in one place to enjoy during your visit. Guests are well catered to at these resorts, most of them reaching five-star status, with glamour and luxury at every turn, providing a memorable experience for all who enter. The Venetian Macau is a palatial property that blends fun, fine dining and some 3,000 suites to reside in as well as 1,600,000 sq ft of retail space – wow!
Galaxy Macau, which has been open for a decade, offers visitors quite the choice when they visit here, for there are actually five different hotels to choose from to suit your tastes, will it be Banyan Tree, Hotel Okura, the Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott or Galaxy for your visit? Let us not forget the likes of Mandarin Oriental Macau, Wynn Palace, Four Seasons Hotel Macao, The St. Regis Macao, The Parisian Macao, Grand Hyatt, and City of Dreams, all of which provide excellent facilities for visitors to this fascinating region.
