rkkwan - YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!!!
Nov 22nd, 2005, 07:21 AM
#1
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rkkwan - YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!!!
I got an answer from the Sintra hotel today.
Utterly ridiculous! Obviously I have declined the room. Here is the price they are quoting:
"Hotel: Sintra Hotel Macau
Check In: 17-Apr-06
Check Out: 18-Apr-06
The rates on our website are "On Request" for the dates you have selected above. The hotel has advised that the Standard Single Room is available at the rate of HKD 10,625 per room per night."
Utterly ridiculous! Obviously I have declined the room. Here is the price they are quoting:
"Hotel: Sintra Hotel Macau
Check In: 17-Apr-06
Check Out: 18-Apr-06
The rates on our website are "On Request" for the dates you have selected above. The hotel has advised that the Standard Single Room is available at the rate of HKD 10,625 per room per night."
Nov 22nd, 2005, 07:53 AM
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Oh boy... 4/17-4/18. Problem is that it's during the Canton Fair. Many hotels in the whole region - including Hong Kong and Macau - are holding back inventories so that they can charge more later, or are asking for a lot right now.
Let me think what you can do. And go check on the sites like Expedia or Travelocity to see what they have. You don't have to stay at the Sintra. Many other acceptable choices.
Let me think what you can do. And go check on the sites like Expedia or Travelocity to see what they have. You don't have to stay at the Sintra. Many other acceptable choices.
Nov 22nd, 2005, 11:05 AM
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So that's the problem! I would pick that night!!!
I did check the Sintra with Expedia, Orbit and Octopus. They all replied that they had no rooms avialble at all - now I understand why LOL
I didn't check out any of the other hotels as yet, because I don't know where they are, if the neighbourhood is safe for a woman alone, if they are convenient for travelling around and so on...Someone mentioned for instance tbe Pousada de Mong Ha. It is also in the LP guide as a mid-range hotel. How is the neighbourhood?
BTW - If this is the 'Canton' fair, and I am coming from Guangzhou (Canton) is there likely to be a problem there too, or is it just a name, rather than the location?
I did check the Sintra with Expedia, Orbit and Octopus. They all replied that they had no rooms avialble at all - now I understand why LOL
I didn't check out any of the other hotels as yet, because I don't know where they are, if the neighbourhood is safe for a woman alone, if they are convenient for travelling around and so on...Someone mentioned for instance tbe Pousada de Mong Ha. It is also in the LP guide as a mid-range hotel. How is the neighbourhood?
BTW - If this is the 'Canton' fair, and I am coming from Guangzhou (Canton) is there likely to be a problem there too, or is it just a name, rather than the location?
Nov 22nd, 2005, 11:29 AM
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The Holiday Inn is apparantely undergoing renovations. Got only 1 review - a bad one. OTOH the Best Western Hotel Taipa got a pretty good set of customer reviews on Trip Advisor. They have a single with seniors price of US$90. including full buffet American breakfast. Looks good. How about the location in your opinion? ESTRADA GOVERNADOR NOBRE CARVA
MACAU, 853 CN
Thanks.
MACAU, 853 CN
Thanks.
Nov 22nd, 2005, 12:31 PM
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Macau is a safe place. And since it's so small, location isn't the most important.
Taipa is an island across from Macau, and is connected by 3 bridges. It's not the most convenient, but it's a short bus/taxi ride back to the other side. The Hyatt and several other hotels are on Taipa. And like I said in the other thread, there's the Taipa walk and lots of restaurants on Rue de Cunha.
The only minor problem I can see is that if you leave your stuff at the hotel for Day 2 when touring Macau proper, you'll need to get back to the hotel before going to the pier. It does add time.
I've never been to, or seen, the Pousada de Mong Ha. Since it's basically a school to train tourism staff, I think service must be good. It's very close to a major Chinese temple, which is very worth touring.
Taipa is an island across from Macau, and is connected by 3 bridges. It's not the most convenient, but it's a short bus/taxi ride back to the other side. The Hyatt and several other hotels are on Taipa. And like I said in the other thread, there's the Taipa walk and lots of restaurants on Rue de Cunha.
The only minor problem I can see is that if you leave your stuff at the hotel for Day 2 when touring Macau proper, you'll need to get back to the hotel before going to the pier. It does add time.
I've never been to, or seen, the Pousada de Mong Ha. Since it's basically a school to train tourism staff, I think service must be good. It's very close to a major Chinese temple, which is very worth touring.
Nov 22nd, 2005, 12:35 PM
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As for the Canton Fair. It's a humongous trade show in Guangzhou. It's held twice a year, 4/15-30 and 10/15-30. Each period also has a 5-day break in the middle.
Since most of the stuff we can buy at Wal-Mart, Circuit City or Best Buy come from that particular corner of the world, you can imagine its importance. I don't know how tight the bus ticket is from Guangzhou to Macau, but it's something you should investigate once you get to Guangzhou.
Since most of the stuff we can buy at Wal-Mart, Circuit City or Best Buy come from that particular corner of the world, you can imagine its importance. I don't know how tight the bus ticket is from Guangzhou to Macau, but it's something you should investigate once you get to Guangzhou.
Nov 22nd, 2005, 02:07 PM
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chinovice - I looked up the Best Western Taipa's own website (not the BW corporate one), and the pictures of the room look pretty good. If you haven't found it, it's at:
www.hoteltaipa.com/eng/index.htm
They have an "internet rate" of HK$420 for Sun-Thur, which is about the type of rate I'd expect to pay if I were book it at an agent in the ferry terminal in Hong Kong (where I always book my hotels). Now, they have a online booking page, which doesn't require credit card number for inquiry. I think you should try and see if they can give you the HK$420 rate for a superior room. Make sure you mention that web special as their rack rate is $880 for standard, $980 for superior.
HK$420 is significantly better than US$90.
They also have a complimentary shuttle to the ferry, but it runs only every 40 minutes. Maybe you can time it, or just take a taxi.
It's definitely newer than the Sintra and should be better than the Holiday Inn. I know you're not going to gamble, but on Taipa, there's the pretty large "Greek Mythology" casino in the New Century Hotel nearby.
www.hoteltaipa.com/eng/index.htm
They have an "internet rate" of HK$420 for Sun-Thur, which is about the type of rate I'd expect to pay if I were book it at an agent in the ferry terminal in Hong Kong (where I always book my hotels). Now, they have a online booking page, which doesn't require credit card number for inquiry. I think you should try and see if they can give you the HK$420 rate for a superior room. Make sure you mention that web special as their rack rate is $880 for standard, $980 for superior.
HK$420 is significantly better than US$90.
They also have a complimentary shuttle to the ferry, but it runs only every 40 minutes. Maybe you can time it, or just take a taxi.
It's definitely newer than the Sintra and should be better than the Holiday Inn. I know you're not going to gamble, but on Taipa, there's the pretty large "Greek Mythology" casino in the New Century Hotel nearby.
Nov 23rd, 2005, 06:58 AM
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Thanks for all the detailed explanations. Guess that I better get on to reserving a room now for Guangzhou too!
Have taken your advice and sent an inquiry directly to the hotel. It does say very clearly that prices are not guranateed and can be changed at any time without notice!!
The room I found for US$90 with breakfast and senior discoudt was via Travelocity. Haven't looked at the BW corporate site.
If I come in early from Guangzhou, perhaps it would be best to do the Macau walks on Day 1 and the Taipa walk on Day 2...
Have taken your advice and sent an inquiry directly to the hotel. It does say very clearly that prices are not guranateed and can be changed at any time without notice!!
The room I found for US$90 with breakfast and senior discoudt was via Travelocity. Haven't looked at the BW corporate site.
If I come in early from Guangzhou, perhaps it would be best to do the Macau walks on Day 1 and the Taipa walk on Day 2...
Nov 23rd, 2005, 09:00 AM
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How much are you paying for the Dragon Hostel? While convenient and cheap, I wonder if you've considered better facilities like the Salvation Army Booth Lodge, YWCA Anne Black House or the Caritas Bianci Lodge?
Nov 23rd, 2005, 05:20 PM
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Nov 24th, 2005, 09:00 AM
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Okay! There is a good deal at the Pousada de Mong Ha for HK$500, no taxes or service charge and a free breakfast!!
They say that the hotel is "half way up the hill" and that there are no buses near by. How is the taxi situration there, especially from the bus stop when I arrive from Guangzhou and to the Ferry to Hong Kong, since I will have my luggage with me on those two trips?
Thanks!
They say that the hotel is "half way up the hill" and that there are no buses near by. How is the taxi situration there, especially from the bus stop when I arrive from Guangzhou and to the Ferry to Hong Kong, since I will have my luggage with me on those two trips?
Thanks!
Nov 24th, 2005, 06:06 PM
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The Mong-Ha hill is a not a tall one - we're talking about 100-200 ft at the most. And you can always get a taxi to drive you up there. Taxis are everywhere in Macau. It's just that when you leave the hotel, you need to walk down the hill. If you have bad knees, then it may be a problem.
For your final trip from hotel to ferry, have the hotel call for a taxi for you.
For your final trip from hotel to ferry, have the hotel call for a taxi for you.
Nov 24th, 2005, 10:11 PM
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chinovice, have you checked the website of Hotel Sintra (www.hotelsintra.com)? It quotes HKD/MOP$500 for a standard from Sunday to Thursday. Its location is much better than the others mentioned and perhaps it's worthwhile to contact to hotel directly to check the price.
