Macau is a special administrative region of China. But it has it's own charms, history, and government system. I am really drawn to it's food, unique Portuguese architecture, UNESCO sites, and it's glitz (casinos).
A lot of tourists visiting Hong Kong usually hop on a Jetfoil on a day trip to experience Macau's glitzy casinos and historic sights. It is easily accessible via a 1-hour ferry ride ($159-$350 HKD depending on where you are coming from and the class of service | $21-$45) , or a 15 mins helicopter ride from HK Shun Tak Center or at the Macau Maritime Ferry station to HK (about $2900 HKD | $375 USD ) each way.
**Please note if you are going to the Venetian Macau, you should be taking Cotai Jet instead of TurboJet.
For the longest time, I mistakenly thought that Macau was not accessible since my Chinese is now very rusty. It was quite the opposite! There's English almost everywhere, from the hotel employees, to signage on the street.
A lot of tourists visiting Hong Kong usually hop on a Jetfoil on a day trip to experience Macau's glitzy casinos and historic sights. It is easily accessible via a 1-hour ferry ride ($159-$350 HKD depending on where you are coming from and the class of service | $21-$45) , or a 15 mins helicopter ride from HK Shun Tak Center or at the Macau Maritime Ferry station to HK (about $2900 HKD | $375 USD ) each way.
**Please note if you are going to the Venetian Macau, you should be taking Cotai Jet instead of TurboJet.
For the longest time, I mistakenly thought that Macau was not accessible since my Chinese is now very rusty. It was quite the opposite! There's English almost everywhere, from the hotel employees, to signage on the street.
The location of this hotel is perfect as a base for walking to a lot of the nearby attractions (the historic centre of Macau is only about 15-20 mins away), with the Guia Chapel and Lighthouse behind the hotel. Theres a 7-11 a few steps away as well as a eatery "Red Forest" serving affordable and tasty food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Royal Hotel Macau also has their own Michelin star Cantonese restaurant, but I was not able to try it-- perhaps next visit.
*Photos of the hotel above are from an earlier visit in May, 2014.* I didn't take new photos on the second visit as the room layout was exactly the same the second time around later in the year. But the room wasn't as well maintained as the first one and it was on a lower floor.
I complied an info sheet from the Hotel's various pages for personal use with the nearby sites and free shuttle times (from Macau Maritime Ferry to Hotel, and from Hotel to the Venetian Macau). Feel free to use it if you find it useful.
Royal Hotel Macau also has their own Michelin star Cantonese restaurant, but I was not able to try it-- perhaps next visit.
*Photos of the hotel above are from an earlier visit in May, 2014.* I didn't take new photos on the second visit as the room layout was exactly the same the second time around later in the year. But the room wasn't as well maintained as the first one and it was on a lower floor.
I complied an info sheet from the Hotel's various pages for personal use with the nearby sites and free shuttle times (from Macau Maritime Ferry to Hotel, and from Hotel to the Venetian Macau). Feel free to use it if you find it useful.
The hotel is rated as 4-stars. I feel that generally the staff is very nice. Sometimes they have a door man, but sometimes not. There's usually someone at the check-in counter that can speak English, however not all of the concierges do (though they really try their best to help). Although not the best rates, I do appreciate that they offer currency exchange from other currencies into Macau Patacas. However, they won't do an exchange for China RMB). The shuttle and taxi stand is right outside but the only challenge I had was sometimes Taxi drivers would refuse to go to the hotel since it is a little out of the way (up the hill).
Room rates on the other hand are pretty good, however both times there was one night that was doubled the standard rate. There is a refundable deposit of 500 HKD or Patacas at check-in.
If you are looking for a good hotel that's away from the main casinos, I feel that this is a good choice. I only hope that they work on maintaining it better.
Room rates on the other hand are pretty good, however both times there was one night that was doubled the standard rate. There is a refundable deposit of 500 HKD or Patacas at check-in.
If you are looking for a good hotel that's away from the main casinos, I feel that this is a good choice. I only hope that they work on maintaining it better.
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