Larger than life and gilded in gold, Macau is like nowhere else on earth. In just 10 years, this former Portuguese colony has turned its modest village heritage upside down. Known as one of Asia’s most over-the-top destinations, this tiny Chinese territory offer jaw-dropping experiences left and right. From the world’s largest rooftop wave pool to a half-size replica of The Eiffel tower, anything is possible at these opulent resorts.—Kate Springer
The Parisian
Not a day goes by without another mind-boggling hotel opening, and The Parisian is one of the latest to join the fold. The new icon of the Cotai Strip is the little sister of The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, but it’s anything but tiny with roughly 3,000 guestrooms and suites, more than 170 retail shops, and a 1,200-seat theater. The Parisian has its very own half-size Eiffel Tower replica, as well as a soaring atrium that mimics the Fontaine des Mers. If the Versailles-like corridors are any indication, the French-inspired mega-hotel does opulence with abandon. Prepare yourself for over-the-top theatrics at every turn—even the shopping zone comes with an entertaining twist, thanks to mimes and street performers who ensure the show goes on all day long.
Insider Tip: Positioned as one of the only affordable, family-friendly alternatives on the Cotai strip, the rooms are completely comfortable but a bit more modest. For a splurge, check into a 776-square-feet Lyon Suite and wake up to a view of the Eiffel Tower.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel
We can’t mention over-the-top hotels without putting The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel on the list. Stretching across 1.2 million square feet of Renaissance-inspired space, this ostentatious address is jaw-dropping to say the least. When’s the last time you saw gondoliers in the middle of a shopping mall? If you’re trying to see it all, we wish you the best of luck. It will take about 20 minutes to walk from one side to the other, and that’s if you don’t get waylaid by one of the 850 duty-free outlets or 25 restaurants. Ranging from 755 square feet to 3,830 square feet, each of the 3,000 suites has space enough for a few cartwheels. The largest, the Cielo Suite, comes with a private chauffeur and butler service.
Insider Tip: There are also four swimming pools and an 18-hole mini golf course.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
Banyan Tree Macau
As soon as you step into the Banyan Tree Macau, a relaxing lemongrass aroma and soothing music transport you far away from the crowded casinos of the Cotai Strip. Located inside the gold-dipped Galaxy Macau complex, the Thai-inspired property is all about luxury and relaxation. Each of the 246 suites features its own relaxation pool, which overlooks the Taipa landscape below. A wall of windows streams natural light across the sumptuous interiors, where you’ll enjoy latticed dividers, a daybed, and even a custom wooden bathtub. The resort also offers six private Pool Villas, which are essentially Thai mansions—think round-the-clock service, Jacuzzis, steam and sauna rooms, outdoor gardens, and private pools.
Insider Tip: Banyan Tree is known for having a seriously decadent spa—and you won’t want to miss this urban oasis. From herbal compression therapies to foot baths, “rain mist” shower experiences, and Thai massages, this retreat is among the best spas in Macau.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
The Ritz-Carlton, Macau
Also in the Galaxy Macau complex, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau is our kind of upward mobility. It’s home to the highest bar in the city—The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge on the 51st floor—as well as one of the loftiest Chinese restaurants. Scooping up awards left and right for its whimsy-chic design, walking into Lai Heen restaurant is like walking into an Alice and Wonderland film with artistically shattered vases, latticed walls, Chinoiserie-inspired furniture, and mystifying mirrors. Stretching up to 1,615 square feet, the hotel’s more than 230 suites exude a traditional European style but are no less ornate thanks to gold-etched bathroom sinks, tufted leather headboards, billowing satin drapes, and enormous marble bath tubs.
Insider Tip: Guests at the hotel don’t have to book a spa treatment to take advantage of the ESPA relaxation zone, where you’ll find steam rooms, saunas, an ice fountain, experience showers, and reflexology lounges. Since it’s part of the Galaxy property, you also have access to the world’s largest rooftop wave pool on the Grand Resort Deck.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
The St. Regis Macao, Cotai Central
While most of the hotels on the Cotai Strip go overboard on decor and glamor, The St. Regis Macao, Cotai Central offers up a more subdued style of luxury. But it makes the list for its sheer dedication to giving guests the royal treatment—it’s the only hotel in Macau to offer 24-hour personalized butler service and the rooms are among the largest in the city. Sprawling across 5,134 square feet, the Presidential Suite pulls out all the stops, featuring a private in-room spa, salon, media room, gym, three separate bedrooms, a kitchenette, plus spacious living and dining areas.
Insider Tip: Packed full of flavorful ingredients, the signature “Maria do Leste” (Mary of the East)—essentially a Macau-inspired Bloody Mary—is served alongside a lobster egg tart. And don’t miss dinner at The Manor, where premium cuts of Miyazaki wagyu await.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
Pousãda de Sao Tiago
What Pousãda de Sao Tiago lacks in size, it makes up for in elaborate decor. The magical journey starts as travelers make their way up a low-lit arched stone entrance, which winds into the hotel lobby. The 12-suite boutique address is in a renovated 17th-century fortress, built by the Portuguese to defend the territory from pirates. Exposed stone walls and crystal chandeliers lead guests to their intimate suites. Each room has wooden four-poster beds, leather flooring, rain showers, Jacuzzi, balcony, steam rooms, and a free mini bar.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the historical Chapel of St. James and a century-old tree, which is a popular wedding spot.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
Studio City Macau
A haven for film buffs, Studio City Macau injects an edgy energy into the Cotai Strip. This Hollywood-inspired destination is the ideal location for families who appreciate larger-than-life experiences—there’s a giant Figure-8 Ferris wheel in the middle of the Art Deco-inspired façade, a 4-D flight simulation Batman ride inside, and a 40,000-square-foot Warner Bros. Fun Zone. The 1,600-room hotel is divided into two parts—the Celebrity Tower and the all-suite Star Tower. The Star Grand Suite, at 1,991 square feet offers a full kitchen, dining room, and 600-thread count linens.
Insider Tip: The Studio City complex is best known for its excellent dinner options. Reserve a seat at Pearl Dragon by chef Tam Kwok Fung for creative Cantonese food or sit down for an elaborate Italian meal at Trattoria Il Mulino.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
Wynn Palace
A whimsical addition on the Cotai Strip, Wynn Palace opened at the end of 2016 with bright colors and fantastical style. Another exuberant location from hotelier Steve Wynn, the decadent address does its name justice. The royal experience begins in the VIP lounge and continues through the wide corridors, mirrored walls, and enormous floral displays—each of which requires tens of thousands of fresh flowers. One of the largest Wynn properties in the world, the Palace is home to 1,706 rooms and villas. The invite-only VIP villas stretch to a spectacular 8,000 square feet and every corner is filled with opulent details, from the grand piano to the wet bar, in-room gym, billiard room, spa suite, garden patio, and 48-meter swimming pool. Even better, there’s a personal butler on call to ensure you have all the spa treatments and late-night snacks you can possibly need.
Insider Tip: The hotel centers around the 8-acre Performance Lake—a choreographed light and water show powered by 5,505 shooting beams. Enjoy great views at night from a SkyCab gondola that encircles the lake—or, even better, from the comfort of your Garden Villa.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
Altira Macau
Inspired by the Latin word altus, meaning “high,” Altira aims to take luxury to the next level. The experience begins at reception, where wrap-around windows offer panoramic views from the 38th floor. The sophisticated address is home to 216 deluxe hotel rooms and 24 suites—plus four villas. Each 2,755-square-foot exclusive villa comes equipped with butler service, a full kitchenette, and a surround-sound system should you care to invite some friends. Look for a sky-high infinity pool and several of Macau’s most prominent restaurants, including Italian fine dining at Aurora, Michelin-starred Ying Cantonese restaurant, and Tenmasa Japanese restaurant.
Insider Tip: The 38 Lounge is one of the best bars in Macau, with hand-crafted cocktails and wrap-around views from its perch on the 38th floor.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide
Encore Macau
Another entrancing address from Steve Wynn of Las Vegas hotelier fame, the Encore Macau is an all-suite extension of the Wynn Macau. The journey starts in the lobby where jellyfish dance in a giant aquarium behind reception. Boldly decorated with vibrant yellow and fuchsia hues, the Encore will put you in a whimsical mood with its butterflies, jewels, and rock crystal motifs—not to mention Swarovski crystals, rare antiques, hand-crafted mosaics, and hand-blown Venetian chandeliers. No matter where you look, there’s no shortage of eye candy. Taking it up a notch, the spacious 2,002-square-feet Grand Salon Suites continue to intrigue with bold red walls and carpets, gold accents, floor-to-ceiling windows, a private massage room, whirlpool bathtubs, and signature Wynn beds.
Insider Tip:Ready to be dazzled? The 4-ton chandelier in the lobby features more than 1,300 multi-shaped crystals—and Bar Cristal is fittingly decked out just like a 19th-century French jewelry box.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Fodor’s Macau Guide