Saturday, May 28, 2016

The Ultimate Macau Vacation: 8D7N in the Las Vegas of the East!

IMG_5874
The Cotai strip in Macau, all lit up at night.

When people hear the word "Macau", they take it as one of China's special administrative regions (SAR) and just a popular side trip from its sister SAR, Hong Kong. Macau is relatively small, about 29.5 square kilometers in area size, so it comes as no surprise that potential travelers just assume that activities and attractions there will be little to none. This entails the possibility that even when they do decide to visit, they just allocate a few hours or days.

This will prove to be a travel faux pas, as any non-Tripadvisor subscribing traveler would later find out.

*Optional: Jump to:
Page 2Fisherman's Wharf, Hotels and Casinos Tour, Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul and more!
Page 3Shrekfast, Studio City's Golden Reel, Batman: The Dark Flight, and The Venetian!

The first time I proposed a family vacation to Macau, my father voiced out that the only exciting thing that happens there is if you win big in a casino. Such is the image of Macau as a cheap Chinese replica of Vegas built only for the enjoyment of adults with money to burn. I managed to convince him to give the place a try, as I was determined to prove his prejudice wrong. I booked plane tickets for three adults, one twelve-year old child, and one two-year old haughty princess for eight days and seven nights starting from April 28. I figured that'd be enough time to get to know this modernized yet old-school former Portuguese colony.

In booking our plane tickets, I chose a time of departure that I thought was convenient for us to see some parts of Macau even on our first day. However, as a lesson I have always failed to learn, I wrote a detailed itinerary that I had to modify about four weeks from the day of our flight because our airline changed the regular schedule of their flights to Macau. Our chosen airline only flies once a day for three days in a week. I couldn't change the date because we already finalized our hotel reservations, so we flew on the same day as planned-- except we arrived in Macau at 6:20 in the evening, six hours later than our previous time of arrival.

IMG_4027
Welcome to Macau!

IMG_4034

IMG_4036

(Stay in Macau for cheap! Book via Agoda for discounts of up to 30% or more!)

From Macau International Airport, we hailed a taxi to our hotel for the night. At first, the driver could not understand where we wanted to go. I opened the folder that contained the printout of the itinerary that I wrote and the printout of the confirmation of our hotel reservation so I could read the street address, but when the driver saw the Chinese translation of our hotel he finally understood where to take us. Later, we would find out that most of the taxi drivers here do not speak any English nor can they read English.

Tip: Print everything, including hotel receipts and confirmations, and especially logos of the places you want to go with their Chinese characters/translations so you can transcend language barriers and easily ask for directions or communicate with drivers.

THE GRAND COLOANE RESORT
Off we were driven to our home in Macau for two nights: the Grand Coloane Resort, a 5-star hotel located in Coloane which is one of Macau's old villages. Formerly known as the Westin, this hotel also boasts its close proximity to Hac Sa (lit. "black sand") beach. There are no casinos in this hotel, so it was peaceful and quiet. In fact, when we arrived, the only people were us and one receptionist that we thought we've been scammed into a ghost hotel. The receptionist spoke good English and took a MOP 500 security deposit.

(Related: Read my Tripadvisor review of the Grand Coloane here.)

IMG_4041
The beautiful but empty lobby of the Grand Coloane. I could imagine myself calling out, "Hellooo? Is anyone there?" like a horror movie trope.

IMG_4042

(Want the best, discounted rates for the Grand Coloane Resort? Book via Agoda!)

Tired, parched, and a little hungry, we were directed to our room (we toted our own luggage) on the fifth floor, a deluxe ocean-view room. It was spacious at 66 sqm with two queen-sized beds, a flat-screen, a bath and shower, and our very own private terrace. The room was quite pretty, as is the view of Coloane Village from the terrace at 9:00 in the evening.

IMG_4043

IMG_4044
That bunch of papers there is actually my printed itinerary. You can download it here.

IMG_4045

IMG_4046

IMG_4047

IMG_4048

IMG_4049
Somewhere in that bunch of lights is a stage with a performing live band. They were barely audible from our room, though.

IMG_4053

IMG_4055

IMG_4056

IMG_4057

IMG_4058

IMG_4059

My little princess was too excited to sleep, so we headed to the pool area on the second floor, down through The Club. The receptionists informed us that the pools, mat area and fitness gym open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and that the outdoor pool was not heated. We had no choice but to head to the indoor pool for a quick swim.

IMG_4060

IMG_4066

IMG_4065
They have a whirl tub, too!

IMG_4063

IMG_4064

IMG_4069

In the morning, we woke up to find a different, more inviting view from our terrace. I decided to take a walk along the hotel grounds and the outdoor pool and take pictures before exploring indoors. Everything was so serene and peaceful, I felt like I had the whole hotel all to myself! Plus points for their Kids' Club which baby absolutely loved.

IMG_4075
Breathtaking! I'm in love!

IMG_4076

IMG_4077

IMG_4082

IMG_4083
The hotel building from the outside.

IMG_4106

IMG_4101

IMG_4085

IMG_4086

IMG_4088

IMG_4089

IMG_4090

IMG_4092

IMG_4093

IMG_4097
Hac Sa beach. The sand is actually not black anymore.

IMG_4104

IMG_4105

IMG_4107

IMG_4113
At the lobby of the hotel.

IMG_4115

IMG_4142
The lifts.

IMG_4116
They've a souvenir shop, too.

IMG_4118

IMG_4117

IMG_4122
Cafe Panorama on the first floor.

IMG_4126

IMG_4127

IMG_4129

IMG_4131

IMG_4154
The second floor is where the gym, kids' club and indoor pool, and the gateway to the outdoor pool can be found.

IMG_4155

IMG_4156
The kids' club.

IMG_4161
"Nirvana" is the Grand Coloane's spa.

IMG_4160

IMG_4158
The mat area is directly in front of the reception area.

IMG_4159

IMG_4157

IMG_4162
There's a swim shop, too. They also sell athletic wear and shirts.

IMG_4163

IMG_4164

IMG_4165

IMG_4166
Welcome to The Club, the Grand Coloane's fitness gym.

IMG_4209

IMG_4171

IMG_4172

IMG_4173

IMG_4174

IMG_4175

IMG_4176

IMG_4177

IMG_4178

IMG_4181

IMG_4182

IMG_4183

IMG_4184

IMG_4186

IMG_4187

IMG_4193

IMG_4192
Bikes can be rented for the bike trail for MOP 300 per session.

IMG_4194
Go through one of the doors beside the gym to reach the outdoor pool.

IMG_4196

IMG_4197

IMG_4198

IMG_4199

IMG_4202
A panoramic shot of the outdoor pools at the Grand Coloane.

IMG_4203

IMG_4204

IMG_4205

IMG_4207

IMG_4208

In my written itinerary, 9:00 AM signals my tour of Coloane Village with my mom. We also planned to have a breakfast of piping hot Portuguese egg tarts and coffee at Lord Stowe's, the original store of which is located there. We asked the front desk to call a taxi for us. We wanted a taxi even though there's a bus stop nearby because we  didn't have any change with us and because we didn't research about how to use the bus. We waited for about thirty minutes but no taxis came. It turned out that there were none available, so we gave up on the trip. This cancellation might have been a blessing in disguise as baby woke up then and started to tearfully look for me. Long story short, we all just headed to Cafe Panorama on the first floor to inquire about breakfast. Turns out that they have an eat-all-you-can continental (with some Chinese dishes and dim sum) breakfast daily from 7:00 up to 10:00 AM for just MOP 188 per adult, MOP 98 per children aged 4-12, with an additional 25% off the total price if you're a stay-in guest. Not a bad deal.

IMG_4141
The Cafe Panorama on the first floor.

IMG_4123
They do dinner, too. I've seen the affair (they do it outdoors) and thought the setting was rustic and romantic.

IMG_4132

IMG_4133

IMG_4134

IMG_4135

IMG_4136

IMG_4137

IMG_4138

IMG_4139

IMG_4143

IMG_4144

IMG_4145

Grand Coloane has a shuttle service that I very much appreciated! It leaves the hotel once in every thirty minutes with stops at The Venetian/City of Dreams, Taipa Village, and Macau Ferry Terminal. Guests have priority seating as long as they make a reservation beforehand.

If we'd followed my itinerary, we would have ended up at Coloane Village with the following activities:

CV+01
1. Tour Coloane Village, a quiet and quaint little fishing village. Photo from Coloane Wikitravels Guide.

CV+03
Beautiful photo by Speakzeasy.

CV+04
Tam Kung Temple in Coloane; photo from Speakzeasy.

CV+05
Beautiful village charm; photo from Speakzeasy.

CV+06
2. Eat Portuguese Egg Tarts from the famed Lord Stow's (this branch in Coloane is the pioneer branch); photo from BBC Travel.

CV+08
3. Walk barefoot along Hac Sa beach and take pictures in Hac Sa Park; photo from the Government of Macao website.

CV+07
4. Shake hands with Giant Pandas at the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion along Seac Pai Van Park.

DAY 2
SPOTLIGHT LUNCH BUFFET
On the afternoon of my second day in Macau, I went to Spotlight-- another buffet-style restaurant located on the second floor of Studio City Macau-- for lunch. This would not have normally been a part of my itinerary if not for the fact that I had it for free. It happened when I booked a Category B ticket for the House of Dancing Water via the City of Dreams Macao website and they happened to have a promotion where my ticket comes with the free buffet (another alternative is claiming a MOP 250 dining voucher that could be used in various restaurants elsewhere). So using the free hotel shuttle, I boarded and alighted at the Venetian and walked about 300 meters down to Studio City.

Spotlight, as it turned out, is themed after Studio City's tribute to the legends of the silver screen. The entrance was decorated with bits of film reel, and a little further in trees with paper flyers of classic movie posters designed to make them appear like leaves greet the would-be diner. There was also a great black and white portrait of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh as they were in Gone With The Wind, and a balcony overlooking Studio City's Times Square below. 

(Related: Read my Tripadvisor review of Spotlight here.)

IMG_4274
As a sign of solidarity with the victims of the Thailand bombing, there's a Thai flag pinned up above. 

IMG_4259

IMG_4261

IMG_4273

IMG_4229

IMG_4263

IMG_4271

IMG_4264

IMG_4266

As for the food, I could say that it was okay-- there was nothing really spectacular about it. I was neither impressed nor disappointed, but I had to say that dining here was kind of delightful.

IMG_4224
The beverages station.

IMG_4225
The seafood station-- notice the reel in the background.

IMG_4226

IMG_4227

IMG_4228

IMG_4244
Sushi and sashimi station.

IMG_4233
Mmmmm, dessert.

IMG_4241

IMG_4242
Churros!

IMG_4234
They grow their own herbs!

IMG_4268
Some salad add-ons and dressings.

IMG_4235

IMG_4236
Assorted cold cuts.

IMG_4237
Bread station.

IMG_4239

IMG_4240
Soup. Try the Thai chicken! It's great!

IMG_4245
People are queuing for noodle soup.

IMG_4247
Chicken and duck.

IMG_4249
Dim sum station. I remember they had beef siew mai, barbecue pork steamed buns, vegetarian dim sum, and gyoza.

IMG_4250

IMG_4252
Meat carving station. They had lamb (which I did not find good at all) and pork neck (which is better than the lamb, for sure).

IMG_4253
Some main dishes from the Indian cuisine section.

IMG_4254

IMG_4255

IMG_4256

IMG_4257

IMG_4258

IMG_4262

THE HOUSE OF DANCING WATER
After feeling more stuffed than a turkey for Thanksgiving Day, I said goodbye to Studio City temporarily and went back to the Grand Coloane for a little shut-eye. Six-thirty in the evening was my cue to head to the City of Dreams Macau for The House of Dancing Water. Before the show, I made sure I had a physical ticket; per policy, an e-ticket needs to be exchanged into a physical one for a viewer to be admitted.

(Related: Read my Tripadvisor review of The House of Dancing Water here.)

A little background about The House of Dancing Water: it is a show that peruses different stunts and acrobat performances, dances, and stage acting with a little twist from the usual-- the stage dynamically molds itself to either accommodate water in some (or all) parts of it or to drain it. Actors and performers dive and glide into the water one moment, splashing onto some of the (luckier) viewers, then tap dance on a dry stage the next. It's a show that is the only one of its kind in Asia, and so it was a thrill for me to experience it!

IMG_4332
The souvenir shop, The House of Dancing Water.

IMG_4331

IMG_4335

IMG_4336

IMG_4337

IMG_4339

IMG_4340

IMG_4342
Twenty minutes 'til showtime!

IMG_4349
The opening scene, where an innocent fisherman gets caught up with the appearance of a menacing-looking ship. 

IMG_4351

IMG_4374

IMG_4380

IMG_4383

IMG_4419
And yes, there were daredevil stunts, too!

IMG_4439

IMG_4444

IMG_4450

If I had to describe The House of Dancing Water in two words, I'd use "beautiful" and "breathtaking". I had never witnessed a show such as this in my entire life. The stunts were great and well-executed and the whole show was well-choreographed. My twelve-year old brother even said he wanted to go and see it again. Truly, I'd say it's a must-see when in Macau-- especially when you're with kids!

DAY 3
THE HOTEL GOLDEN DRAGON
After two nights were spent in the Grand Coloane, we said our goodbye and transferred via taxi to our second hotel located in the Macau peninsula-- the Hotel Golden Dragon. Once again, the taxi driver initially didn't understand where we wanted to go until I showed him a picture of the hotel's logo on the receipt.

(Stay at the Hotel Golden Dragon for as low as 650 HKD per night! Book via Agoda!)

We booked our room in advance beforehand and initially, management sent us two receipts with one having an error which was corrected at once. They also said that since we used a credit card to book, the card would only be used to secure a reservation but the amount will not yet be charged until after we arrive. However, two weeks before the trip, they charged the card and we were forced to contact them about it.

The receptionists were well-versed in English. Check-in was smooth and they allowed us into the room early (12:00 NN) since the room had no occupants. They also gave us one free extra bed! Hurray!

(Related: Read my Tripadvisor review of Hotel Golden Dragon here.)

IMG_4454

IMG_4455

IMG_4459

IMG_5096

IMG_4469

IMG_4470
Check-in counter. Yeah, that's my mom.

Hotel Golden Dragon is a very beautiful hotel with its very own casino, about four dining options, rooftop pool, fitness gym, and shuttle service, but the thing I loved the most about it is its central location. The hotel is located:
  1. Right across Golden Lotus Square, the Centro de Actividades Turisticas bus stop, Macau Gran Prix Museum, Macau Wine Museum, Sands Macau, and Fisherman's Wharf.
  2. A five-minute walk away from the Macau Ferry Terminal.
  3. Two stops away aboard Bus #8 or a short walk from the Macau Science Center, the Giant Rubber Duck, KFC and McDonald's (at the back of the golden building that is Sands Macau, up the escalator, near the casino).
  4. One-and-a-half (1.5) kilometers or a twenty-minute walk away from major hotels and casinos like MGM Grand Macao, the Ascott, Wynn Hotel, Grand Lisboa and Starworld.
  5. Two kilometers away from tourist spots Senado Square, Macau Museum, the Ruins of St. Paul,  the Red Market, and Guia Fortress and Lighthouse.
  6. Three kilometers away from A-Ma Temple and Macau Tower.
IMG_4472
The view from our 14th floor Harbour-view Suite. You could see Fisherman's Wharf from up here.

IMG_4473

IMG_4474

IMG_4476

IMG_4477

IMG_4478

IMG_4479

IMG_5331
Beware! Despite its beauty, the water felt like melted ice!

IMG_5332

IMG_5334

IMG_5333
You can see the fitness gym through the glass window.

IMG_5335
You can place an order on the restaurant beside the pool and have them delivered here for you to eat.

CONTINUE READING >>
Next up: Fisherman's Wharf, Macau Peninsula's
Hotels and Casinos Tour, Senado Square,
The Ruins of St. Paul, Shrekfast,
The Venetian and more!

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Copyright © 2015 Travel Hard, Hannah!