Macau...visa run/casinos

[landofsmiles]

Anyone been to Macau? Thinking of making it my next visa run staying a few days and getting in a bit of casino action.

Anyone got any advice on where to stay, prices, nighttime entertainment.....

[Nicke]

I havent been there but was thinking of trying Genting Highlands outside KL some day. Its a casino/entertainment area with hotels.

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Anyone been to Macau? Thinking of making it my next visa run staying a few days and getting in a bit of casino action.

Anyone got any advice on where to stay, prices, nighttime entertainment.....

[landofsmiles]

Genting is another option for me sometime. Just been looking at it. It's a massive resort complex and looks cheap to stay there too. The First World Hotel is supposedly the biggest hotel in the world and Standard rooms are only 85RMs at the moment and discounted even more if booked on the net.

http://www.genting.com.my/en/accommo...es/h_rates.htm

[marc26]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Anyone been to Macau? Thinking of making it my next visa run staying a few days and getting in a bit of casino action.

Anyone got any advice on where to stay, prices, nighttime entertainment.....

ive been to hong kong, but never macau, but what seemed explain to me from people that i met that lived there, seeemd more of a night out place than a place to stay. again, could be totally wrong but i am just going by what people that live in hong kong said about the place

[landofsmiles]

That's ok, cos I'm not looking at it as a place to stay...just somewhere I can go, get another visa and get some roulette time in

[Jaysen]

Just came back from Hong Kong about 2 weeks ago.
Spent four nights in Macau, and actually quite enjoyed the place, it has a very european feel which seems odd in an asian country, which is due to it's portugese history. Most Roads/ paths are cobble stone and there are many piazza's or squares and lots of brilliant european architecture, in short, there is much sightseeing to be had if you get bord with the gambling.

If you looking for a bit of gambling time, then appart from Vegas this is your place. Macau has heaps of casino's with even more bieng built. They are nearly finished with the new Wynn's Casino, half way through the MGM Grand and will be finished with the Venitian in 2008.
Lots of bars and restuarants around the place too, with some really good Macanese food to be had. Also if you do happen to get to Macau, go to Colloane Island and have some lunch at Fernando's which is a bit of an institution in Macau / Hong kong.

I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, wich was really nice, it has a small casino in the hotel complex, but it is right next door to the bigger, more elaborate vegas Sands Casino Complex which has if my memory serves me right 6 gaming floor, with a wide range of games, and entertainment.

Macau also has good shopping, cheaper than hong kong, but during the day it seems a little laid back, compared to Hong Kong, but at night the place lights up and the casinos rule. Night life in Macau revolves around the casinos or in the vecinity of the casino's or around the new fishermans wharf section. These complexes usually cater for everything..... food, nightclubs, mens entertainment etc. As said earlier, there are quite a few good bar's and a lot of restuarants so you will never go hungry or thirsty.

[Mav]

Did a day trip to macau in Jan 05....was amazed at how many Casino's there were....did visit one for a few hours....was during the day and very well populated.....Also has a horse racing track on the isalnd......would have loved to stay a few nights.

So infortunately l cannot give you a detailed report like the good one Jaysen has put together, but l can back him up by saying it has a real European flavour to it, due to the Portugese influence.

Was accomodation dear Jaysen?

[jimholio]

I bet my right ball that its better then the Aranya Pratchet border to Cambodia... Such a horror story!!! Never go there, i tell ya, never go there.

[paz]

There are 3 parts - the largest is macau peninsula which links to mainland china. Most of the casinos currently around the main drag between Lisboa Hotel and the ferry terminal (to HK). Mandarin very nice and Hotel Sintra is a good mid-price option.

Sands is by far the nicest casino and has an excellent steak house. Wynn's opens in about 3 months. The new Fisherman's Wharf complex has restaurants and a good outdoor bar. Late night action is mostly at the Mandarin Oriental bar (closing July 06) after 11pm until 3am and then on to Dee Dee's, a low rent disco until 6-7am (both places have girls 'working'). Also some bars along the water in an area called NAPE but nothing very lively.

Most hotels (except Mandarin, Hyatt & Westin) have 'saunas'. Good fun and you can spend anywhere between HK$ 400 and1800 and have a drink, bite to eat or a power nap! Golden Dragon very popular.

Bridges link to Taipa which is mostly residential but also has a few casinos and mid-range hotels (Grandview, Hyatt, etc) and the horse racing which is on 3 times a week. There is also an Irish bar close to the track.

Taipa has an old village area with a new english-style pub (Old Taipa Tavern) and some good restaurants (Petesquaria). The airport is also in Taipa.

They also have greyhounds in Macau near the border gate to Zuhai.

A causeway from Taipa connects to Coloane which is a more natural island with the good but pricey Westin Resort, a couple of small beaches (Hac Sa and Choec Van) with lidos for swimming and the famous (over-rated) Fernandos. The best portuguese food is generaly acknowledged to be at A'Lorcha in Macau.

The reclaimed strip between Taipa and Coloane is where the new Venetian is opening in second half of 2007 followed by at least half a dozen other top line hotels and casinos.

Prices for hotels much higher at weekends (HK$ 1000+) but as low as HK$ 400 for mid-range room during the week.

Getting about is easy as taxis cheap and nothing is too far away (macau to coloane about 20 mins). Food is not expensive unless you go top of the line, but even that is fairly reasonable considering the standard. Excellent choice of wine and very cheap. Beers from HK$ 20 in a pub to HK$ 40 in a hotel bar.

Flights with Air Asia HK$ 400-800 + tax each way depending on timing and there are three flights a day.

Macau is good for a weekend but fairly limited for longer. HK only 1 hour by ferry.

Hope that helps!

[Jaysen]

Originally Posted by Mav

Did a day trip to macau in Jan 05....was amazed at how many Casino's there were....did visit one for a few hours....was during the day and very well populated.....Also has a horse racing track on the isalnd......would have loved to stay a few nights.

So infortunately l cannot give you a detailed report like the good one Jaysen has put together, but l can back him up by saying it has a real European flavour to it, due to the Portugese influence.

Was accomodation dear Jaysen?

Hey Mav

Sorry mate, i'm not really to sure how much the macau accomadation cost , as i had my agent bundle it in with my hong kong accomodation.

Overal though i don't think it was too expensive, as the total price of the 14 days was really good, also the rates vary from weekends to weekdays so it is cheaper if you go on the weekdays.

Cheers
Jason

[webner]

i been there several times from HK by hovercraft very good place for gambling
a lot of new hotels open up.