Like the neon lit city of Las Vegas, Macao never ceases to intrigue. Admittedly, the parallels between the two adult playgrounds are undeniable: glitzy resorts, resident shows, a pulsating nightlife, a booming gaming industry, and an evolving dining scene that wins rave reviews. It’s no wonder, then, that Macao has earned the moniker “Las Vegas of the East.”
For the uninitiated, this tiny autonomous region resides on the southern coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character – this former Portuguese trading post has retained its fascinating mashup of cultures that, coupled with its luxury offerings and old-world charm, makes for an unmissable tourist destination.
Incidentally, UAE residents from a whopping 81 countries can travel to Macao visa-free, taking the guesswork out of travel planning. In case of continuing parallels, Cotia – or the Cotai Strip as it’s also known – is Asia’s answer to the Las Vegas Strip and the wow factor of any trip to Macao. Famed for its stretch of nightlight venue and world class hotels, it’s the result of a major land reclamation project that joined the two islands of Coloane and Tapia – hence the portmanteau. Today, these 5.2 square kilometers are home to hospitality giants like Galaxy Macau, Grand Lisboa palace, and Wynn Palace. It’s also on this strip that you can catch a show at the Londoner Macao, immerse in soaring works by art collective teamLab at The Venetian, or sample Cantonese dishes at the Michalin-starred Zi Yat Heen.
CITY OF DREAMS
Every trip to Cotai ought to include City of Dreams, the leading integrated resort in all of Macao, too. It’s here that theatres, a shopping district, 37 dining outlets, and three hotel properties come together – one of which was designed by the late, great Zaha Hadid. Morpheus is a property unlike any other owing to its free-form high-rise exoskeleton, the first of its kind in the world. An architectural marvel, it envelops 40 floors of glass with a fluid sensibility that pervades all of Hadid’s projects and echoes the longstanding jade-carving traditions of China. It’s also at City of Dreams where The House of Dancing Water showcases what theatre director Franco Dragone does best by way of dazzling costumes, acrobatic feats, a cast of nearly 100 artists, and a love story that transcends both time and space. cityofdreamsmacau.com
GALAXY HOTEL
Size matters, and Galaxy Hotel is proof – not only is it one of largest properties with a Five-Star rating by Forbes Travel Guide, but it also features the world’s largest wave pool, which covers a staggering 8,000 square metres. Elsewhere, the likes of Bulgari bathroom amenities and 24-hour butler services add touches of luxury at every turn. galaxymacau.com
Don’t miss: the seafood cooked using Tanka (boat people) methods at Tam Chai Yu Chun.
MGM COTAI
While the sparkling façade of MGM Cotai is frequently compared to a stack of jewellery boxes, it’s the public spaces designed by the legendary David Rockwell that truly add a sense of wonder. The range of restaurants is just as impressive: a total of 10 eateries span the spectrum from Cali-casual bites to Sichuanese fine dining. mgm.mo
Don’t miss: the guided art tours that introduce guests to the property’s vast collection of innovative artworks.
THE MANSION AT MGM COTAI
An exclusive enclave that only the lucky few are privy to, The Mansion is concealed within MGM Cotai and serves a heavy dose of Moroccan charm in Macao by way of themed villas, mosaic fountains, and courtyard gardens. For the ultimate splurge, book a villa that’s equipped with an oversized, Moorish-style jacuzzi. mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com
Don’t miss: the many in-room extras such as karaoke, film screenings, and dedicated butler service.
WYNN MACAU
A spectacle of a property, Wynn Macau is credited for setting the bar when it comes to integrated resorts across the peninsula, and the entertainment only adds to its appeal. The arresting Performance Lake is an aquatic ballet of colour and fire, while the glittering Tree of Prosperity pairs music with movement in an ode of changing seasons. wynnresortsmacau.com
Don’t miss: the aquarium of moon jellyfish at Encore Tower, an all-suite boutique hotel built into the resort.
THE LONDONER MACAO
Located in the heart of Cotai Strip, The Londoner Macao is a celebration of all things British, complete with a replica of the Big Ben and suited co-designed by David Beckham. Dining at this luxurious new property follows suit: Churchill’s Table serves a quintessentially English afternoon tea, while Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill delivers an authentic gastropub experience. londonermacao.com
Don’t miss: the Changing of the Guard multimedia show that takes place at the Crystal Palace lobby atrium.
KARL LAGERFELD
Macao’s most fashionable address also happens to the world’s only hotel tower designed entirely by the late Karl Lagerfeld. Making its debut earlier this year, The Karl Lagerfeld is a painstakingly curated property that pays tribute to his inimitable style at every step of the way – think: custom armoires, chinoiserie-inspired motifs, and a library stocked with 4,000 books selected by the icon himself. thekarllagerfeld.mo
Don’t miss: the science-based spa treatments offered in collaboration with 111SKIN.
