Located just 60 km or an hour’s Turbo Jetfoil ride away from Hong Kong, Macau has long been the favourite recreational haunt of expats living in romantic Hong Kong as it offers a slower-paced respite from the frenetic streets of that vertical megacity. It’s also a popular destination for travellers visiting Hong Kong or China (it is located around 150 km from the popular tourist city of Guangzhou) because of its Portugese heritage which is still so much a part of the lifestyle here. Opened just a few months ago in a great position on the Napa waterfront and close to many of Macau’s unique attractions, the Mandarin Oriental Macau offers guests an exceptionally romantic and exclusive home away from home.
Venturing Out
Macau has so much to offer besides casinos, especially if you time your visit to coincide with one of their many romantic festivals! However, if you want to see a mini Las Vegas, head to the Cotai Strip which is where most of the glitzy, glamorous casinos such as City of Dreams and the Venetian are to be found. You’re also right next door to the MGM and Wynn Casinos plus the hotel is connected to a super-duper mall which has storefronts for just about every brand label you can think of. Just along the road from the hotel you’ll find a variety of small, local restaurants, cafes and bars.
Taste Temptations
Vida Rica Restaurant’s spectacular decor and romantic setting is only surpassed by the exotic and flavoursome cuisine prepared by Chef Dirk Haltenhof and his talented team. We enjoyed a special Chef’s Table evening along with several other guests where we were taken through the steps of preparing the exotic and sometimes rare ingredients which made up our four course dining experience – a rare treat indeed. Drinks and tapas are served in the equally spectacular Vida Rica Bar which occupies the other half of level two and enjoys spectacular sunsets over Nam Van Lake – open from 5pm Monday to Friday and from 12pm on weekends. The dramatic decor was designed by a Japanese interior design team and it’s just divine! It’s the sort of place you feel so comfortable in you just don’t want to leave.
The Rooms
Our room was exquisitely decorated and had a large, oh so comfortable, king-sized bed dressed in the finest linens; automatic opening/closing drapes, a personal coffee machine, wireless internet and chocolates and fruit bowl replenished every day. Utterly luxurious, and utterly romantic! A desk with ample electrical connections and two armchairs strategically placed to take in the fabulous view through a wall of glass completed the bedroom. The bathroom was straight out of the pages of a design magazine with double shower and sinks and a large, sink-into bathtub which we took full advantage of, enjoying a glass of wine along with the soak and the glittering view of Macau Tower. Quite a surprise was a lovely little gift left for us at nightly turndown … very thoughtful.
Couples Will Love
A couples’ spa treatment which starts with a foot bath, moves through to a body scrub, onto a body massage and culminates in a simultaneous head and foot massage. Do this in the evening so you can retreat straight to your room to share a bottle of champagne and chocolates and whatever else takes your fancy … oh so romantic! .
Getting There
See Helen Wong’s Tours for great package deals or visit your local travel agent.
Useful websites: www.mandarinoriental.com • www.macautourism.gov.mo
