Cha-ching, bling-bling: Macau in 24 hours!
Macau has always caught my eye with its luxe hotels, rolling dice, lavish shows and Portuguese food (my weakness). I got to experience Macau in 24 hours while on a recent trip to Hong Kong (for the bazzillionth time) with Mr LML. Why I hadn’t visited on other trips baffles me; the place is like a cultured version of Vegas, and I love that!
With the Cotai Strip raking in more than $ix time$ the amount of coin than Las Vegas each year, the luxury hotels and casinos convince me to make it my base. From there it’s only a short 10 to 15-minute taxi ride to central Macau, where I can see the impressions that past Portuguese territories have left on the city.
Get there:
Wanna get straight to Macau? You can check out direct flights here.
If you’re like me and want to add Macau to your Hong Kong itinerary, you can catch super speedy (1.5hr) ferries from Hong Kong Central to both Macau and Cotai. They leave every half-hour, and at AU$45 return, won’t burn a hole in your shopping kitty.
Stay at:
I have my sights set on the biggest and best hotel on the strip, so end up at Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central. As soon as I check in, I’m distracted by the la-dee-dah hanging roof features and flashing slot machines that I pass on my way to the Earth Tower. Luckily, the super friendly staff guide Mr LML and I the right way and buzz us up to our suite.
Inside, the décor is fresh and modern, with hints of Chinese detailing and one of the Sheraton’s signature Sweet Sleeper Beds. We put it to good use with a complimentary late check-out to catch up on some ZZZZZs.
Home, Sweet Home (at least for a day!)
The weather isn’t in our favour, so sadly we can’t make use of the private cabanas that overlook the hotel’s three outdoor pools, but fast-forward to the next morning and we’re able to indulge at Feast. Acting out the restaurant’s name, we serve up several plates… each. It’s a multinational buffet breakfast smorgasbord, so I embrace the location and create plates with a Portuguese and Macanese twist, then add some Western favourites and, of course, some sweets 😉 Sorry tummy, no rest for the wicked when we’re on holidays!
Just one plate of this? I don’t think so…
Must See:
House Of Dancing Water at City of Dreams, an awe-worthy US$250 million production showcasing trapeze, pro-motorbike riders, and a stage that I just can’t figure out (I literally YouTubed the construction to see how it changes from a deep pool to a flat/dry stage in a matter of seconds). If you aren’t overwhelmed by the costumes, ceiling-high falls, and limb contortions that would make the average person cry, you’ll be touched by the love story between a fisherman and a princess who is captured by her evil dark queen stepmother. Naturally the fisherman fights back and receives a pleasing reward ;-).
Seriously stunning
Explore:
Make sure you check out The Venetian Hotel’s lavish shops and entertainment, including the replica canals of Venice, Italy. Mr LML decides to be all romantic-like and take me on a gondola ride, with a charming gondolier serenading (ie: bellowing out and embarrassing) us in front of all the nearby shoppers.
Souvenir sorted! No, it’s not really a sunny blue sky above, but an impressive painted roof that supports my hat-wearing-inside look. Awkies!
Eat:
It’s no secret that the hotels of Macau and the Cotai Strip are full of acclaimed culinary delights; however, I get word of a quaint Portuguese restaurant in nearby Taipa Village that I must try. Surrounded by European-style alleys and antique street lamps, as we step inside Antonio we are greeted by cosy candlelit seating (for only 25 to 30 people, so I get a hunch this dinner will be special). The tiling on the walls instantly takes me back to my Portuguese holiday with LML Gen, which she shares here and here.
After sipping on some vino, we pick Portuguese sausage and smoked ham as an entrée, following up with prawn curry and African chicken with garlic, onion, chilli and coconut sauce for the main.
Chef Antonio has prepared a menu that feels like it’s tailor-made for me; every dish could be named Bec’s Favourite, with a side of Bec’s Favourite.
My 24 hours in Macau packs in enough to feel like a holiday on its own. I definitely recommend you add it to your travel bucket list!
Have you been to Macau AND Las Vegas? Leave us a comment to tell us which you preferred.
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