A starter guide to an idyllic luxury summer vacation in Macau
Grab your passports
Macau is a city like no other. It is home to a rich history, vibrant food scenes, and a stunning skyline. If you’re looking for a destination where yesteryears intertwine with the present, this city should be at the top of your list. Remnants of its past as a Portuguese colony—such as its street names and one-of-a-kind cuisine—are still visible, earning it the nickname “Little Portugal of the Far East”. To get you acquainted, here is a quick starter guide on where to eat, stay, and visit for a luxe trip to Macau.
STAY
GRAND LISBOA PALACE MACAU
We’ll make things easy for you on this front. Forgo the hours of sifting through the city’s endless list of hotels and promise yourself a great stay at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau. One of three opulent hotel properties within the impressive Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, the hotel is a sprawling five-star property with ornate decor that blends influences from the East and West.
Each of the spacious guest rooms at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau is luxuriously appointed with modern Chinoiserie interiors and fixtures. Guests will also get a taste of the local art scene as every abode has its own piece of work made by local Macanese artists. For those who want to embrace a slow morning, Grand Lisboa Palace Macau’s in-room dining services are a must to take advantage of. Some rooms even have a view of the European gardens for you to take in.
With both an indoor and outdoor pool, you can also spend your summer vacation relaxing by the waters, enjoying a good read and a refreshment.
The hotel is a quick ten-minute drive from Macau International Airport. To make your commute seamless and fuss-free, guests can also enjoy the complimentary shuttle bus service from the airport as well as the ferry terminal, and Old Taipa Village. With its world-class service, warm hospitality, top-shelf amenities, and lavish interiors, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau is without a doubt our top choice of accommodation in the city.
Address: Rua do Tiro, Cotai, Macau
Contact: +853 8881 8888 (General enquiries) | +853 8881 8000 (Hotel reservations)
EAT
LORD STOW’S BAKERY
No trip to Macau is complete without a taste of its staple foods. At the top of the list of must-try snacks here are Portuguese egg tarts. Created by British pharmacist Andrew Stow, it’s only fitting that you find a Lord Stow’s Bakery to chow down on these flaky sweet treats. The creator himself founded this bakery in 1989 at its first location in Coloane Island, Macau. Today, there are multiple locations across Macau for you to venture to with the nearest location to Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau being the Old Taipa Village branch.
Address: Old Taipa Village: 9, Rua do Cunha, Taipa
LA SCALA DEL PALAZZO
Supplement your afternoons in the city with La Scala del Palazzo, where the Versace treatment shines at every turn. Though the restaurant boasts an impressive lunch and a la carte menu, nothing says luxury like the La Scala Afternoon Tea Traditions.
These sets offer a spectacular range of both savoury and sweet bites, including traditional tiramisu and its signature cannoncini Napoletani. Top off your afternoon tea experience with the must-try Golden Hazelnut Chocolate and Hazelnut Coffee drinks, both of which are garnished with 18-carat gold flakes for an extra touch of grandeur.
Address: Ground floor, Palazzo Versace Macau
Opening hours: Visit website for full details
Contact: +853 8881 2610
DON ALFONSO 1890
Add a dose of luxury to your food adventures at Don Alfonso 1890, the glamorous Macau outpost of the family-owned, Michelin-starred restaurant brand from Italy. You’ll be immersed into a world of opulence from the minute you set foot into the restaurant with Versace taking the reins for its design.
For food, you’ll indulge in the flavours of southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast courtesy of Head Chef Federico Pucci and his team. You can’t go wrong with a plate of its Vitello Tonnato for starters and its handmade Tagliolini pasta with black truffle as your main. Finish your meal with its silky Il Nostro Tiramisù.
Address: Level 3, Palazzo Versace Macau
Opening hours: 5pm to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Thursday) | 12pm to 3pm & 5pm to 10.30pm (Friday to Sunday; public holidays) | closed on Monday
Contact: +853 8881 1390
MESA BY JOSÉ AVILLEZ
Continuing the influence of fashion on Macau’s culinary scene, Mesa by José Avillez brings style, cuisine, and cocktails together under one roof. The palatial space designed by the iconic Karl Lagerfeld himself is home to highly acclaimed fine dining plates adorned with Portuguese flavours and Macanese influences.
Don’t miss out on its bespoke tipples inspired by Macau’s rich tapestry of history and culture. Go for the gin-based Last Back Garden or the Casa de Abelha.
Address: Level 3, The Karl Lagerfeld
Opening hours: Visit website for full details
Contact: +853 8881 1800
VISIT
RUINS OF ST. PAUL’S
One of the most recognisable sites in Macau is Ruins of St. Paul’s. This historical landmark was once known as St. Paul’s College and the Church of St. Paul. Today, it is one of Macau’s most visited locations and listed as part of the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: Rua de Sao Paulo, Macau
OLD TAIPA VILLAGE
Get a taste of old-world Macau at Old Taipa Village, where you’ll get to experience the influence of Portuguese culture first-hand. Not only will you marvel at the colourful streets and magnificent architecture, but you’ll also get to savour some of the signature flavours of Portuguese cuisine and get in some keepsake shopping. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts can go exhibition hopping or even mural spotting around the area, including at the Travessa da Boa Vista and Casas-Museu da Taipa.
JARDIM SECRETO
Named after the Portuguese term for ‘secret garden’, Jardim Secreto is an outdoor European-style garden that would look perfect on any Instagram feed. Featuring manicured greens, lush landscaping, a grass maze, and more, this scenic spot is the perfect place to recharge and reconnect with greenery.
There are also stylish pavilions and a colonnade within the grounds, making it ideal for dates or leisurely strolls.
Address: Level 3, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau
Opening hours: 8.30am to 10pm
Start planning your getaway to Macau and enjoy exclusive room package deals at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau. Find more information here.
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