Holiday Asia

September/October 2003

Hotel Watch: Macau, p. 64

This small but charming enclave is never short in the entertainment department. Its many casinos, museums, historic sites and sports events offer interesting diversions. As most visitors come for a weekend of relaxation, hotels are resort-type and offer and extensive range of facilities. Here are asia-hotels.com's favorites.

Westin Resort Macau Bellhop rating: 4.25 Star rating: 5 Prices from: US$127 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 4.5 Value for Money: 4 Overall rating: 4.5	This handsome resort perched on the Southeast coast of Coloane Island, with breathtaking views of the South China Sea, is a good 15-minute taxi ride from town. The Westin Resort Macau has all that there is to offer when it comes to leisure facilities: swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, croquet, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, etc - as well as an 18 hole golf course. There are also five quality restaurants. Rooms are very spacious and have private balconies that overlook either the beach or the ocean; the sun-beds and ocean spray are sure soothers. At sunset, the room's white walls and dark furniture work well -- very pleasing and easy on the eye. The bedding is noticeably soft and ideal for the weary. While quite remote and rather pricey, the Westin is overall a great place to relax. Note that it can get very full at weekends. As an added bonus, Fernando's, Macau's most famous restaurant, is a short stroll down the beach.
Hyatt Regency Macau Bellhop rating: 4.18 Star rating: 5 Prices from:US$103 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 3.5 Value for Money: 4 Overall rating: 4	Well-situated away from the casino crowds and the hustle of the city centre, the Hyatt Regency Macau is a quick hop over the Taipa Bridge, five minutes from central Macau. While admittedly in need of some renovation, this is nevertheless one of the best hotels in the enclave. Renowned for its resort feel, it offers a wealth of facilities that are ideal for families with young children. The Kids Club and games room are comprehensive, well-equipped and supervised to give respite to weary parents. Both the Chinese restaurant and Flamingo's come highly recommeded in terms of both cuisine and overall dining experience. Also ideal for business guests and for hosting banquets and functions, the Hyatt caters to the more outgoing corporate events with props such as a "confidence boosting" trapeze for those seeking to team build.
Holiday Inn Macau Bellhop rating: 4.13 Star rating: 4 Prices from: US$65 Cleanliness: 3.5 Facilities: 4 Staff Attitude: 2 Value for Money: 3 Overall rating: 3	Located in the center of Macau right next to the shopper's paradise, Macau Landmark, the Holiday Inn Macau is well suited for the business traveler. It offers a business center and full conference facilities, plus sits in the heart of the city, near all the historic attractions. There is also a casino for guests to try their luck. The rooms are quite plain in terms of decoration - nothing fancy here - but they are neat and tidy. All rooms offer a downtown view, as there is no sea view available. In general, the Holiday Inn stands firm as a comprehensive and reliable hotel, conveniently located in the entertainment district. This inn suits all - at a good price. But its nothing spectacular.
Mandarin Oriental Macau Bellhop rating: 3.99 Star rating: 5 Prices from: US$128 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 4 Overall rating: 4	The Mandarin Oriental enjoys the reputation of being the finest hotel in Macau: it is resort-style, right downtown and minutes from the ferry terminal. The main foyer is extravagantly decorated, as are the rooms. What keeps the guests coming back is the fantastic spa and fitness center, which places the Mandarin well apart from the other hotels. A recent addition to the function rooms is the broadband Internet connection, further extending the hotel's competitive edge over nearby event facilities. Service in restaurants is particularly noteworthy, and the live music in the Bar da Guia is outstanding. Among the dining outlets are Mezzaluna, a lovely Macanese-themed restaurant, and Fresco, a superb open-air eatery located by the swimming pool. One thing that must be said is that there are two casinos within the hotel, so you can expect the usual dose of shady characters walking around. Still, even with this taken into account, the hotel remains a jewel in the crown of Macau.