| Up until just a decade ago, Macau was hardly anything | | | | atrium boasts quite a few fantastic restaurants and |
| but a day long escape for those travelers who | | | | shops, which means it is possible for you to have a |
| wanted to spice up their Hong Kong holiday by visiting | | | | very nice evening out, without actually leaving the |
| the famous floating casino, where a scene of James | | | | hotel... |
| bond's "The Man with the Golden Gun" was shot, or to | | | | As you might expect from a luxury hotel in Macau, the |
| watch promiscuous cabaret shows at Hotel Lisboa... | | | | MGM Grand also runs its own ritzy casino...o Sofitel |
| But things are very different nowadays: Improved | | | | Macau at Ponte 16 |
| public security, alongside economic reforms and | | | | The prestigious Sofitel at Ponte 16 is one of the latest |
| liberalization of the casino industry have attracted | | | | newcomers to Macau luxury hotel scene. |
| international investors to the former Portuguese colony, | | | | Located in a surprising (but very nice) part of town, |
| and today Macau luxury hotels are in one line with the | | | | facing the Inner Harbour waterfront (Porto Interior), the |
| world's best accommodations. | | | | hotel is slightly away from the cluster of luxury hotels |
| This article will introduce you to the finest of Macau | | | | around the "casino belt" but within a short walking |
| luxury hotels:o Hotel Lisboa Macau | | | | distance to Almeida Ribeiro, Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado |
| Even if the legendary Lisboa may no longer be at the | | | | Square and other places of interest within the old part |
| top of Macau's luxury hotels list, it has certainly | | | | of town... |
| become one of the city's most famous | | | | One of the best things about this luxury hotel is the |
| establishments... | | | | spacious rooms, that provide gorgeous views of either |
| Alongside its very central location, this classy hotel | | | | the Inner Harbour and the town of Zhuhai (in China) or |
| vaunts elegant decor that brings back the romance | | | | the narrow alleyways of Macau's old town, and are |
| and magic of bygone colonial days, with heavy | | | | equipped with a whole range of facilities (including a |
| chandeliers, filigree handrails and opulent oriental art. | | | | nice set of L'occitane bathing products in every |
| As you may well expect from a Macau luxury hotel, | | | | bathroom). |
| guestrooms are quite large and fairly detailed in terms | | | | Secondly, the Sofitel is a part of a stylish modern |
| of design, with nostalgic Chinese furniture and mosaic | | | | Casino and Entertainment Complex, which means |
| floor in the bathroom. | | | | there is a decent range of dining and entertainment |
| As far as facilities go, there is a nice swimming pool, | | | | options within an elevator ride... Hotel amenities are also |
| gym, sauna, international class restaurants and, of | | | | fantastic and include a very nice swimming pool with a |
| course, the brilliant cabaret shows and the famous | | | | sundeck facing the Inner Harbour and Zhuhai, as well |
| Casino Lisboa for which the hotel is known | | | | as a spa, wellness center, well equipped gym and the |
| worldwide...o Pousada de Sao Tiago | | | | likes... |
| Built within the ramparts of Barra Fort: A 17th century | | | | Thirdly, and most important of all: The rates at the |
| Portuguese stronghold at the southern tip of the | | | | Sofitel are still quite reasonable when compared to |
| Macau Pninsula, Pousada de Sao Tiago is definitely the | | | | some other Macau luxury hotels of the same caliber...o |
| most characterful of Macau luxury hotels. | | | | Venetian Macau |
| All the 24 rooms at this charming boutique hotel are full | | | | Some people dislike the Venetian, others adore it - But |
| of ambience and come with antique furniture and | | | | nobody can ignore it! |
| balconies overlooking the bay... | | | | Writing an article about Macau luxury hotels without |
| The "Pousada" also has a small swimming pool, as well | | | | mentioning the Venetian is simply impossible... |
| as a pleasant terrace-cafe where you can have your | | | | Occupying one of the biggest hotel buildings on earth, |
| coffee alfresco, and an exceptionally fine restaurant... | | | | this colossal casino-resort offers more luxury and |
| But most importantly, it has a dedicated team of | | | | amenities than many of Macau's leading hotels, |
| friendly staff who really make sure their guests feel at | | | | alongside a wide choice of dining and entertainment |
| home... | | | | options. |
| If historic boutique hotels are your thing, than staying | | | | To begin with, the rooms at the Venetian are just |
| here is something you should consider... The "Pousada" | | | | incredible, both in terms of size and facilities, and |
| is not within a convenient walking distance to town, but | | | | otherwise there are some outstandingly good hotel |
| it's only a short taxi ride, sp no worries about that...o | | | | amenities, as well as an unbelievable selection of |
| MGM Grand Macau | | | | restaurants, bars, nightspots and shops at the |
| The first thing you'll probably notice about this Macau | | | | Venice-style "Grand Canal shoppes"... Not to mention |
| luxury hotel is its extravagant architecture, featuring an | | | | the world's largest casino, which is just an elevator ride |
| uber-modern design that gives a very Sci-fi look to the | | | | away... |
| hotel's building. | | | | Critics, on the other side, argue that what this hotel |
| Fantastic location on the edge of the city centre, just a | | | | makes up in amenities, it lacks in character and |
| short walk from most of Macau's sightseeing sites, | | | | personal touch... Moreover, quite a few travelers claim |
| casinos and restaurants, is only one of the reasons | | | | that staying in the newly developed area of Cotai |
| why this relatively new hotel has become so popular. | | | | (where the Venetian is) is not what they came to |
| The second reason, which is even more important, is | | | | Macau for, and that they prefer to book a hotel in |
| what the MGM Grand has to offer in terms of | | | | town, where they can be within walking distance of |
| comfort and luxury: From large rooms with beautiful | | | | Macau's places of interest... |
| views and modern-elegant decor, to a whole range of | | | | It's impossible to determine who is right or wrong... It |
| fabulous amenities, including the very "chic" swimming | | | | depends, first and foremost on who you are and what |
| pool from which you can enjoy great views over | | | | is your idea of a holiday in Macau... But one thing for |
| Taipa Island. | | | | sure: If you plan to spend more than just a couple of |
| When it comes to dining, entertainment and nightlife, the | | | | nights in Macau, staying one night at the Venetian is |
| Grande Praca is the place where everything happens | | | | certainly something you should consider... If not for |
| ... Designed like a Colonial-Portuguese piazza, this sunlit | | | | anything else, than for the ultimate splurge. |