3 Best Hotels in Macau, China

With a more understated opulence than many of its neighbors, the Artyzen Grand Lapa weaves Portuguese charm throughout the resort. The rooms feature old-world decor, including blue-and-white artwork recalling azulejos, with views of the city or the leafy resort itself. The hotel is also widely known for deluxe treatments in the enormous spa complex next to the tropical swimming pool. The hotel’s renowned restaurants include the Café Bela Vista, beloved for its endless buffet and colonial-style decor, and the excellent Kam Lai Heen.

This old resort, built into the side of a cliff with each room boasting an ocean view, is where you can truly get away from it all. The white-and-beige color schemes are soothing, and the vast private terraces are ideal for alfresco dining and afternoon naps. Guests can access Macau’s renowned golf club, the PGA-standard, 18-hole Macau Golf and Country Club, which was built on the rocky cliffs and plateaus above the hotel. There are regular deals offering discounts for long stays, early bookings, and day passes for the outdoor swimming pool and fitness club.

Love it or hate it, The Venetian Macao’s strong presence in the Cotai area is both its draw and its bane. It’s not everywhere you have singing gondoliers in man-made canals leading to clowns on stilts under an always-blue sky—but the other place you find it is Vegas, not Venice. Service is geared toward mainland Chinese gamblers, confirming that the Venetian is first a casino, second a shopping mall, third a convention and entertainment venue, and only last a hotel. On the upside, its Royale, Bella, and Rialto suites are spacious enough for family-size comfort, and the extra TV in every room, variety of swimming pools, and Qube play zone make the difference with the kids. Come for the over-the-top environment but be prepared to share it with a round-the-clock flow of tourists.