With less than two decades of Chinese history under her belt, Hong Kong’s saucy sis Macau is in the midst of a full-blown identity crisis; she’s part heritage-spangled, ex-colonial charmer, part casino-crazed showgirl. And you can get the best of both big personalities on this one-day foray.
Stay: The Ritz-Carlton
While most of Macau’s casino hotels are more OTT than a drag queen’s Mardi Gras makeup, The Ritz-Carlton on outlying Cotai hits the jackpot with a harmonious balance of swank and sophistication. Plush, neutral-hued chambers show off va-va vistas and decadent, marble-clad ensuites, plus there’s glitzy Canto diner Lai Heen for nightly epicurean indulging and state-of-the-art Espa Gym to counterbalance.
Morning: Explore the Old Town
Avoid the day-tripping hordes by taking in Macau’s historic centre before noon. Here Portuguese edifices, including what’s left of St. Paul’s, stand stoic amid cobbled streets and antique shophouses. Make sure you stop past Leal Senado – a bustling, wave-paved square framed by colourful boutiques and restaurants – then dive into the surrounding streets for fab shop finds like ancestral printers Ip Hong Kei (6C/D Rua de Santo António) and scent-sational hmph for artisanal body prods, plus trad egg tart specialists Margaret’s Café e Nata (17A Rua Alm Costa Cabral, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro).
Lunch: Tuck into Macanese classics on the terrace at Albergue 1601
Sights seen, continue your culture kick by wandering over to the colonial St. Lazarus Quarter for a feed at Albergue 1601. Housed in a charming manse, it fires up Portugese and Macanese influenced plates beloved by local gourmands. Our tip: dine alfresco on the restaurant’s lush n’ leafy patio, before you nip over to nearby caff Blooom Coffee House for a quick java hit.
Afternoon: Get cultural in Taipa
Refuelled and ready to hop back to it? Right-o, then hail a cab to whisk you back down into Taipa, for an atmossy amble through the quaint fishing village, which is home to a collection of tranquil temples, house museums and decent restaurants. Not to be missed are 160-year-old Pak Tai Temple, and cultural n’ curatorial spread Taipa Village Art Space showcasing local and international artists in rotating exhibits. Check the website for up-to-date listings.
Dinner: Fine dine at The Tasting Room
As the sun starts to set over the island, shimmy back to your room to frock up before flitting over to City Of Dreams where The Tasting Room plates up Mich-starred, contempo Euro morsels in a decadent circular dining room crowned by a dramatic rope chandelier. Top new world and vintage drops, too.
Evening: Dapper drinking den or ultimate party palace
If you’re keen to kick on, you have two choices: have a taxi drop you at Macallan Bar & Lounge at The Galaxy for a nightcap in the dapper chesterfield den, or leg it to Studio City where Ibiza-import Pacha hosts big-name international DJ’s on the decks every Fri-Sat. Olé!
– Published 30 November 2016.
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