This year was my seventh visit ot Macau but this place still fascinates noodlies, Sydney food blog. Many come to Macau for the fantasy world created by Casinos best represented by the second-life, over-the-topness of the Venetian Casino but the first thing you notice when you get to any of these casinos is the real-life pong of cigarette smoke. According to the Macau Government Tourist Office, fishermen from Fujian and farmers from Guangdong were the first known settlers in Macau. It only began to thrive as a major settlement until the Portuguese and their Catholic missionaries arrived in the 1550s. On 1 December 1887, the Qing and Portuguese governments signed a Treaty which ceded the right of “perpetual occupation and government of Macau by Portugal”. In 1999 Macau reverted back to China as one of many Special Administrative Regions (SARs), similar to Hong Kong.
It’s the contradictions that sucks me in, fantasy vs raw greed, east vs west, A-Ma temple vs Ruins of St Pauls.
Macau has held the title of the world’s biggest gambling destination since 2006, when gambling revenue surged by 22%, overtaking Las Vegas. The casino scene is split up into 2 main areas, old Macau probably best represented by fading beauties the garish Grand Lisboa (above). In recent years, most of the growth has been in the newer Cotai Strip, home to the Venetian, Crown’s City of Dreams and the Four Seasons Hotel (below).
In contrast to all the brightly coloured baubles and fantasy, Four Seasons delivers a stylish, contemporary charm that this five star brand is renowned for. Here it’s about subdued elegance and comfort; plush furniture, deep and soft carpet, classic furniture and warm inviting tones, with a touch of ‘prosperous’ gold. The staff are particularly courteous and efficient – my check in process was completed in my room by a guest service executive, who patiently showed me all the features of my room.
After the crampedness of Hong Kong hotels, the spaciousness of the Four Seasons, Macau was heavenly – even the bathroom was huge.
The prosperous gold is particularly noticeable in the Zi Yat Yeen, two Michelin star, Cantonese restaurant (review here).
And after all the travelling it was so blissful to be able to relax with a 2-hour, de-stress massage that includes a spa, body massage, hot rocks and mini facial.
Other highlights which I wasn’t able to sample include:
- 5 outdoor pools and 11 poolside cabanas with flat-screen televisions
- 24-hour Fitness Centre with a kinesis wall
- twice daily housekeeping
Four Seasons Hotel
Cotai Strip, Macau
This noodlies, Sydney food blog experience was courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel, Macau.
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