WHERE TO STAY IN MACAU
Our favorites among the slew of shiny hotels that have elevated the city skyline.
Mandarin Oriental
Since 1984, the grand dame of Macau has always been one of the few hotels without a casino, and, in its newest iteration opened in 2018, continues to offer respite from the dizzying adrenaline rush of gaming. The sole restaurant, Vida Rica, serves delightful fare from dim sum to modern European, while the bar offers regular cocktail pop-ups. It also has unrivaled views of sunsets over the Macau Tower and front-row seats for the fireworks during the festive season.
mandarinoriental.com; Doubles from HK$2,500
Mandarin Oriental, a calming classic. Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental.
MGM Cotai
The gleaming jewelry box gracing the Cotai skyline is this MGM whose 1,390 rooms include Skyloft duplexes and villas. The centerpiece of the integrated resort is “The Spectacle,” a vast four-story atrium with beautiful indoor-plant landscaping, the world’s largest permanent indoor LED screen, retail, entertainment and celebrity chef–led dining under its naturally lit canopy. The permanent art collection of more than 300 pieces bridges East and West. Retail options include the über- exquisite Chinese couturier Guo Pei and Singaporean designer Ethan K.
mgm.mo; Doubles from HK$2,000
Skyloft Duplex, MGM Cotai Courtesy of MGM Cotai.
Morpheus
The futuristic steel-structure by Zaha Hadid is the addition to the Cotai strip. The architectural masterpiece is the world’s first high-rise supported by free-form steel exoskeleton, with two towers connected by a sky bridge, and 770 rooms and villas, the latter of which begin at 582 square meters. Dining options are top notch: besides the Alain Ducasse floor, there’s a Pierre Hermé Lounge with an extensive spread from the patisserie maestro, and his creations are served exclusively at breakfast as well as for in-room dining.
cityofdreamsmacau.com; Doubles from HK$3,000
Morpheus, a architectural wonder in Cotai. Courtesy of Morpheus.
The Parisian
Sands Resorts’ 2018 project on the Cotai Strip, The Parisian Macao is decked out in gold and red, with opulent old-world interiors and an eye-popping 3,000 rooms. Outside is a Tour d’Eiffel that, half the size of the original in Paris, holds La Chine, a French-inspired Chinese restaurant. The mini-Tower is linked to the hotel by a footbridge that showcases the design of industrial mastery. The 1,200-seat theater hosts many international acts, and kids’ activities.
parisianmacao.com; Doubles from HK$1,300
Look down on an Eiffel Tower at The Parisian. Courtesy of The Parisian.
Wynn Palace
Wynn Palace on the Cotai Strip has a glorious façade lined with cable cars offering the best view of their fountain spectacle. Home to Macau’s largest floral art, their eclectic art collection is not too shabby either; check out the rare Ming vases and Jeff Koons’s psychedelic Tulips. The massive spa offers treatments fit for royalty, such as a diamond-and-gold facial. Each of the 1,706 rooms and suites has an intuitive touchscreen panel to control everything; and the three-bedroom Garden Villas have 24-hour butlers, 800-thread count Frette sheets and, of course, private pools.
wynnpalace.com; Doubles from HK$1,700
A fanciful dragon lifts you into the sky. Courtesy of Wynn Palace.
