Rick

Has anyone stayed at or have experience with the Pousada de Sao Tiago Hotel in Macau?

betsytom

I stayed there recently - it's fantastic! Expensive, but worth every penny. Tons of character.

Dot

We stayed there in Fall 2002 -- it was great -- although, weirdly empty! The restaurant serves very good foo, and the rooms have wonderful character.

Peteralan

Haven't stayed there but eaten in the restaurant...very good and wine is moderately priced compared with Hong Kong. Has a nice feel about it. I would like to stay there.Hope you enjoy it!

rkkwan

I also haven't stayed there, but have eaten and have tea. It really has a great atmosphere.

But what I really miss eating at the Hotel Bella Vista, which my family did quite often in the 70's. The building now houses the Portguese Embassy in Macau, I believe.

Spygirl

Betsytom, rkkwan-did you happen to check out the Hyatt or Westin in Macau? I plan to at least dine at the Pousada de Sao Tiago-but I think it's fully booked for the early Jan. 2005 time period. I'm thinking of spending 2-3 days in Macau.

rkkwan

Never been inside the Westin, but it should be nice. However, it's very inconvenient for most sites of Macau. To me, it's a big minus.

I've stayed at the Hyatt years ago. It's pretty nice, but its swimming pool was what I remember the most. It's extremely nice for a swimming pool in HK/Macau standard.

Spygirl

rkkwan-thanks-that's helpful. I think I'll really enjoy staying in Macau.

Peteralan

Spygirl I'm sure you will enjoy it too. Have to agree with rkkwan in a couple of things....I stayed and ate at the lovely old Bela Vista ...what a shame we can't do that again!Also I agree that the Westin is inconvenient (though not impossible of course).

Cicerone

I miss the Bela Vista too! Such a lovely old building.

Spygirl, my opinion is that if you are going to be there for 2-3 days than the Westin is actually a better choice, as you can spend time at the pool and beach. You can go into downtown Macao to see the colonial bits and shop if you want, but you will be glad to escape to Westin at the end of the day to get away from the daytrippers. The hotel is on Coloane, which is a very quiet island, and the fabulous Fernando's restaurant is not far. Fernando's is better than the Pousada de Sa Tiago, IMO but you should go to both, and the Pousada does have more atmosphere. (Fernando's, 9 Hac Sa Beach, Hac Sa, Coloane, Phone: (853)-882-531). There is much less of a city feel on Colane, and there are some nice beaches and parks. A lot of people don't see these green and quiet parts of Macau when they come to the city for the day or go right to the racetrack on Taipa.

Since you will be there so long, consider renting a "moke" which is a souped-up golf cart which you can use to get around all the islands. Getting out of the city is not difficult, and there are very few roads on Taipa and Coloane so you can't really get lost. You can rent them at the Avis car rental office in Macau, take a look at avis.com.