Macau’s Top Hotels: A Timeline of Entertainment

When people think of modern day Macau they think of glitzy casinos, high rollers and big stacks of money. Having earned a reputation as the world’s largest gaming destination, Macau is now a haven for all things entertainment.

Thanks to Macau’s largest casinos bringing in more than $45 billion each year, despite a drop in revenue, there’s a generous surplus of cash for other non-gambling-related activities, including: world-famous shows, fine dining and even adrenaline sports such as jumping from the top of the Macau Tower.

At its core, Macau is a top gambling destination. However, like so many modern casinos across the world in destinations like Las Vegas, the word “casino” has now become synonymous with entertainment. Far from the old days where dingy clubs offered a selection of table games spread across a smoky room, modern day casinos are bright, welcoming places with a myriad of options for everyone.

In fact, when you visit a city such as Macau, you’ll find there’s so much more to do than simply gamble. Yes, the call of the roulette wheel is strong and certainly worth succumbing to, but don’t simply write-off Macau as a one-trick pony.

To give you a better insight into some of Macau’s finest features, we’ve compiled a list of the top Macau hotels and their best assets.

The Past: Hotel Lisboa

People often say that the original is often the best and if that’s the case then Hotel Lisboa is Macau’s finest entertainment complex. One of the city’s first mega hotel / casinos, the venue is located downtown which means it’s slightly less expensive than some of Macau’s newer establishments. In fact, Hotel Lisboa’s casino was the first venue to open a casino and, while it may not be as large as some of its competitors, it has a certain nostalgia that can’t be ignored.

As well as giving visitors a more affordable way to stay in Macau, Hotel Lisboa’s location makes it perfect for sampling some of the city’s local delicacies. Mang Pan Koi is a local favourite, serving traditional Macanese dishes and situated a short walk from the hotel. Another downtown favourite is Sai Nam. A converted shop house, the restaurant is famous for its shark fin soup and some of the best seafood dishes in Asia.

*Top Tip: Avoid some of the popular local restaurants at weekends. The waiting times will often be prohibitively long, so only visit them during the week if possible.

The Present: The City of Dreams

Giving you three Las Vegas style hotels for the price of one (by that we mean they are located next to each other), City of Dreams Macau is home to some of the best entertainment experiences in the city.

Regardless of whether you stay at Crown Towers, Hard Rock Hotel or the Grand Hyatt Macau, you’ll be within touching distance of a clubs, shops, restaurants and gaming options. Aside from the House of Dancing Water and Taboo, City of Dreams is home to PokerStars LIVE.

Known as the largest poker room on the Coati Strip, the gaming area is located on level 2 of the main casino and offers cash games and tournaments every day of the week. Since opening in 2008, PokerStars LIVE has welcomed high profile pros such as Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier, Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey. Not only that, but tournaments such as the Macau Millions and the Macau Poker Cup are all hosted inside the city’s leading poker venue.

*Top Tip: If you’re considering the City of Dreams as your destination, practise your skills in the online world. Some casino games can be tricky to master the first time around, so make sure you’re familiar with each game by playing for free on the internet before you ante-up for real. Similarly, if you’re considering a few rounds of poker with the pros, make sure you practice your bluffing skills in the virtual world before testing your poker face in Macau.

The Future: Studio City

The newly open Studio City Hotel and Casino is a $3.2 billion behemoth that’s aiming to dominate the Cotai Strip when it comes to gaming, dining and entertainment. A product of the Melco Crown Group, which is backed by Australian business mogul, James Packer, the Hollywood-inspired spectacle is set to boast a slew of innovative rides.

Although not set to open until the middle of 2015, Studio City has already released details of its collection of rides, including a 130-metre-high Ferris wheel, Wonder Woman go-karts and the proverbial jewel in its crown, a virtual reality Batman Ride. To whip up some hype about the new hotel and casino, its owner reportedly spent $70 million to create a short film starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

*Top Tip: Make sure you dress appropriately. The diversity of activities inside Studio City means you’ll require a number of outfits in order to comply with various dress codes. If you’re planning on enjoying the venue’s rides, make sure you have something comfortable to wear.