Hong Kong and Macau - Macau - Venetian? Or MO?

Hi all,

So I'm flying out to hong kong in September and have planned to stay 4 nights in Macau. Now I've done loads of research and it seems the Venetian is one of the main places to visit in Macau.

However, the reviews are somewhat mixed (even though it's rated 3rd on tripadvisor). Just wanted to get a feel from those of you that know, would you recommend staying at the Venetian, or stay at the Mandarin Oriental and travel to the Venetian area to explore?

Thanks in advance

There is nothing really far away from each other in Macao, so do not worry. I personally would not like to stay on the Cotai strip, too much Vegas style. Staying on Macao Island itself would give you more of a Macao feeling, staying on Colane (the Westin resort) would give you a bit of holiday feeling. However, FOUR nights in Macao is quite a bit. You can do most of Macao in an afternoon and if you are heavy into gambling, you might get a bit bored after two nights.

Thanks Flying Lawyer for the response. That seems to be the message I'm getting, a lot of people do a day trip there. I may have to consider spending more time in HK.

I've been to Vegas for the last couple of years so wanted to check Macau out. In fact I'm getting a bit bored of the venetians styling having spent many nights in the vegas one, and the Macau one looks exactly the same. The pull is though that everyone talks avout the venetian in Macau and the fact that it has everything..I'm finding this choice pretty tough.

I wanted to stay at altira or the wynn but they both have no availability for my dates

Venetian = A Las Vegas style casino built to the needs of mainland Chinese tourists and gamblers. No idea why one would fly half-way around the world from the UK to see it. Please stay on the main peninsula (and not Cotai), and visit the historical sites instead, which are listed by UNESCO World Heritage, and are actually worth visiting.

I would agree with those advising against Cotai. However, if you want to stay at a high-end casino property within easy walking distance of many tourist sites, I would suggest you consider Wynn, and specifically the new Encore tower, which is drop-dead gorgeous, assuming availability opens up.

And yes, 4 nights may be a bit much unless you really want to gamble. 2 night would be my limit.

I do gamble a bit so might be ok with that..if I'm bored can always go over to hk for the day right?

The Wynn is unfortunately full because of some called the mid autumn festival (?), but would have loved to have stayed there

So the consensus is really to stay away from cotai and travel there from the main peninsula. Amex have a really good deal on the MO on the FHR programme, working out about £850 for the 4 days, so can go for that as that is apparently connected to MGM..this would let me see all of the sights in Macau from there, I'm guessing I won't like the gambling in Macau compared to Vegas.

Thanks very much for the responses. Would be interested to hear if anyone has any other hotel options? Also are people really as rude there as I've been reading/hearing?

The Wynn is unfortunately full because of some called the mid autumn festival (?), but would have loved to have stayed there

You should check the Chinese/Hong Kong holidays calendar. Macau is usually busy with HK visitors during those holidays. It is a simple one night trip to game and dine for Hong Kongers.

if I'm bored can always go over to hk for the day right?

That wouldn't make any sense, not only because of ticket cost and time of travel, but also the time wasted at the immigration on either side. You get 4 chops on your passport for a roundtrip from Macau to HK.

Also are people really as rude there as I've been reading/hearing?

It's not the locals but the tourists and gamblers from mainland China. They are bringing thousands if not millions of dollars down to Macau to spend/burn/launder. You think they will care about "being nice"?

The Mandarin is definitely worth checking out. I went soon after it opened last year, and enjoyed quite a bit . [Try the braised lamb in the restaurant...]

..if I'm bored can always go over to hk for the day right?

Different from rkkwan I would neither see cost of a ferry ticket (about 50 USD return) nor immigration (HKG is quick in and out, Macao is quick out but might take longer in) as a big problem. However, I normally do not want to stay in Hong Kong without the opportunity to get to my hotel room for a quick rest or shower. The humidity and the temperatures in HKG can be "hard work" for a Westerner from central Europe and I would not like the idea of hanging for the day in HKG without the possibility to withdraw from the climate.

I do gamble a bit so might be ok with that..if I'm bored can always go over to hk for the day right?

Probably a good option. I've been to Macau many times myself, but I'm not a big gambler, so I do find the presence of so many casinos and other things associated with it a tad bit too much. I'm sure Macau has other things to offer, but really, the gambling business has really taken over the entire city and HK would probably be more interesting for a tourist.

In response to the original question, for those who might be wondering, the Macau MO is superb! It's connected to the MGM via a 5 minute air conditioned walk through a luxury shopping mall that is open 24/7. It's brand new and they have retained plenty of good staff and have even hired some of them (my father and I knew the doorman from years ago) back! Overall a great hotel that suits both the tourist and the gambling tourist excellently!

We stayed at the FS Macau which is connected to the Venetian complex. I would recommend it over the Venetian. Although we stayed on the Cotai Strip, we still went over to the colonial side and saw all the historic sights. A highlight was taking the helicopter back to Hong Kong !

I found Macau a bit tacky. Except for the heritage sites which you can see in half a day. I spent another half day at the border area and then I was done. I did see the Venetian but its all the same shops you get around the world. There is a mock up of Venice, but the real Venice in Italy is much nicer.

One night in Macau was worth the experience but next time I will stay in HK or go to mainland China if I can organise a visa.