beachfan

Hi folks;

I've been to HK several times, Macau never. Right now I'm Ambassador with IHG and Diamond with HHonors.

I'm trying to decide whether two spend two nights in Macau at the Conrad and one at the IC Hong Kong (upgrading to a harbour view), or two nights in HK and one in Macau.

As Diamond, i would expect lounge and suite upgrade at Conrad (points and cash); no real bennies (other than perhaps a reduced upgrade cost) at the IC (Chase anniversary night certs).

I'm going to Macau to see the old center of town - not that interested in gambling. At first I thought that after a week in Sri Lanka, we'd be ready to just chill at the Conrad for two nights but the Chase cert expires in August - this seems like a good use for them (we have two).

Normally, I'd be loath to move hotels, but this time, I'm up for it.

Any thoughts?

Steve M

If that's the case, then the Conrad is not the place to stay. It's on the Cotai Strip, which is one of two clusters of casinos. Cotai is kind of all by itself, and several miles by causeway away from the old center of town. There's not much around other than other modern casino resorts. Even if you want a modern, western hotel, you'd be much better off in the other cluster of casinos, which is near downtown, including the MGM Grand and Wynn.

beachfan

How long does it take to get from the strip to the old town? Can't be all that long.

I want to stay where I can use my points and status.

evergrn

I have not been to Macao recently. But if you just want to see the old historical sights and are not into gambling, and you want to take advantage of your Hhonors benefits, plus you said you typically don't like to change hotels... then wouldn't you be just best off staying all nights at Conrad HKG and then just do a day trip to Macau?

I know that Macau's been changing a lot. But won't a day trip suffice for covering the old areas of Macau? Cotai will be mostly gambling and shopping.

SanDiego1K

1 night Macau, 2 nights Hong Kong. When you come off your flight, do not go thru Hong Kong emigration. Rather, go to the ferries and buy your ticket to Macau. If you have checked baggage, give the ferry operator the tag. Your baggage will be transferred for you.

We stayed at the Conrad Macau early this year. We took a taxi to the heart of the historic area. I had planned in advance where I wanted to go and what I wanted to see. We had a fairly long wait for a taxi when we had visited some historic buildings along the waterfront, but otherwise it was easy and inexpensive enough to use taxis.

The IC Hong Kong harbor view is amazing. I love being close to the level of the water and watching all the water traffic. I recommend going out for a meal at Din Tai Fung while there.

lazard

You can stay at the Conrad and just take the free shuttles at Galaxy Macau to the old town.

rkkwan

I agree with others. While I usually recommend people to spend more time and overnight in Macau, in this case you're better off to just stay in HK on points on all nights and just do a day trip to Macau. Save the hassle of hauling luggage back and forth.

Taxis are inexpensive in Macau, but often when you want to get one it's not available. Especially when you're not at one of the major casinos or piers/border points.

evergrn

Sorry to get off topic a bit, but since you bring up Din Tai Fung...

Looks like the OP's from LA where there's actually a Din Tai Fung.
I thought DTF in HK was slightly better for certain items than the one in Seattle, but I've also heard the LA location is better than Seattle. I haven't been to LA one. But if that's the case, then the OP could probably save DTF for another time?

SanDiego1K

For me, I can never have enough DTF. But I concede, that's me. And we don't have DTF in San Diego.

evergrn

Haha, me too!

We are very lucky to have DTF in Seattle.

Next time you're in HKG, you should also try Ye Shanghai and Crystal Jade. Those two restaurants (but probably not DTF this time) are again on our agenda during our visit this month.

beachfan

A sound suggestion and normally what I would do, but I'm leaning towards checking out the Conrad before I lose Diamond status and maybe to see the Dancing Waters show.

Thanks to you and all the other posters!

Swiss Tony

Just to throw another thought into the ring, how about staying at the Conrad in HK? As a Gold, I booked two rooms on points this summer. Both were upgraded to a full harbour view with executive lounge access.

If you're planning on visiting Macau after March there's a Crowne Plaza opening where you could use the certificate.

ijgordon

Galaxy isn't anywhere near the Conrad.

I agree just don't stay in Macau unless you're interested in gambling, shopping, or even seeing the mega casinos. Do a day trip, it's pretty easy. Probably best mid-week when the crowds are much smaller.

rkkwan

The shuttles from the Cotai Strip complexes are frequent to the ferry piers and the Chinese border. To get to old town, those are less frequent and one often has to use the taxis.

Edit: in fact Sands Cotai Central (where the Conrad is) doesn't even list a shuttle to old town proper. Only to Sands near the ferry pier: https://www.sandscotaicentral.com/co...chedule-en.pdf

jpdx

Let me be contrarian here and say, 2 nights in Macau, 1 in HK.

The Conrad in Macau is amazing. Much better than the one in HK. The location is meh, but you're looking at a US$10 cab ride to Lago do Senado. Or, work the shuttle buses.

I've spent some 500 nights in HK/MO in the past decade. I love them both, but Macau isn't getting the attention it deserves on FT. Hotels are great value. Food is amazing. Great people watching.

The OP says he's been in HK a bunch of times, but never in MO. Easy: Spend two nights in Macau, move on to HK for your last night.

Staying at IC HK is worth it not just for the harbor view, but because on occasion, one runs into great people in the lobby, who then invite one to DTF.