Where to Stay in Macau

Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16

Located on the waterfront overlooking Macau’s picturesque inner harbor, Sofitel Macau is an ideal place to stay for those who want to have a laid-back vacation or to explore the city. The 20-floor luxury hotel wears its classical French roots on its sleeves, featuring an eye-catching, glamorous façade and 408 rooms (including 19 Mansion units with four different design themes)—all equipped with L’Occitane or Hermés amenities. Enjoy the breathtaking city view or harbor view from your windows, then get out and take a nice stroll on those cute, narrow alleys in the historical quarters. It’s just a 10-minute walk to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and many of Macau’s heritage sites. At night, don’t forget to swing by Sofitel’s Rendezvous bar in the lobby, where 30 varieties of its signature homemade infused vodkas are served.
Rua do Visconde Paco de Arcos, Macau, (+853) 8861-0016, www.sofitelmacau.com.

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The Westin Resort Macau

This seaside resort is a mere 20-minute taxi or bus ride from the Macau Ferry Terminal, but it feels eons away from the glitz and glamor of the casinos. The eight-floor, 208-room hotel has sea views, a stunning pool, grassy knolls—and the welcome drink is a tropical cucumber mint cooler. Each room comes equipped with a balcony that overlooks either the South China Sea or Hac Sa Beach, a serene stretch of black sand along the coast of peaceful, sleepy Coloane, the southernmost part of Macau. The Westin is also affiliated with (and adjacent to) the Macau Golf & Country Club, and guests are allowed to enjoy the club’s restaurants and, more importantly, its 18-hole course. (The ocean driving range, where players can drive balls far into the water—to be picked up by a staffer puttering around in a boat—is another highlight.) In-house Chinese restaurant Kwun Hoi Keen has earned accolades, too. The hotel runs regular shuttle buses to central parts of the territory—just in case guests wish to venture away from the oasis explore the heart of urban Macau.
1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, Coloane, (+853) 2887-1111, www.westin.com/macau. Rooms start at $1,500 per night.

Venetian Macao Resort Hotel

This massive entertainment complex is a world unto its own. Armed with 3,000 guest suites and a labyrinth-like casino, not to mention hundreds of stores and boutiques at the Grand Canal, you probably wouldn’t be missing much even if you didn’t step outside its all-encompassing premises. The place successfully evokes the grandiosity of the original Las Vegas-based hotel and is filled with European-style touches and décor. A variety of generously sized suites are available for choosing, most equipped with fluffy big beds, gilded furniture, large gold-tinted bathrooms and more than one television set for entertainment. The hotel also houses its own Malo Clinic Health & Wellness Spa, complete with massage services and even dental treatment facilities.
Estrada da Baia de North Senhora da Esperanca, (+853) 2882-8888, www.venetianmacao.com.

Mandarin Oriental Macau

A smaller, boutique-style hotel amidst bustling casinos and giants like the neighboring MGM and the Wynn, the Mandarin Oriental is a calm oasis in the heart of Macau’s business and entertainment district. The hotel’s 213 rooms (including 27 suites) all look out onto the waterfront and are decorated with a combination of gilded gold and understated, Chinese-style touches. Each room is tech-forward, including an iPhone/iPod dock and internet access via the room’s flatscreen TV and a wireless keyboard. Diehard shoppers will be happy to learn that the hotel connects directly to the One Central luxury shopping mall—after snapping up the hottest new looks, take advantage of the hotel’s ample closet space to store your new swag. You’ll also be able to easily visit attractions like the Macau Tower and the Goddess of Mercy Statue, or take a quick walk into town for a more down-home experience of Macau, with restaurants and cheap electronics and jewelry stores aplenty. The boutique, non-gaming hotel also makes a great spot for a staycation, with its spa treatment options such as “Spices of Portugal” which includes a head and body massage, body scrub and wine bath. Coming and going is a breeze, with the ferry only five minutes away.
Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, (+853) 8805-8888, www.mandarinoriental.com/macau.