JW Marriott Macau Trip Report - Poltergeist got me an upgrade!
Jun 7, 2015, 11:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
JW Marriott Macau Trip Report - Poltergeist got me an upgrade!
Hi everyone,
first off, this is my first trip report ever. I am certainly hoping to get some feedback on content and pictures. If you found it boring/annoying/interesting, please do say so. If no one tells me I am a failure at my new hobby I'll continue bothering the FT world with no learning curve...
This TR is for the new JW Marriott in Macau, which opened just two weeks ago. It is the second largest JW Marriott in the world, after Dubai. Its is part of the Galaxy complex on the Taipa part of the southern island of Macau.
Of the many, many doors this complex has I believe this to be the main entrance to the JW Marriott Macau.
I had checked in (successfully, for the first time) with the mobile app already; Rewards desk to the left with no queue.
First impression of my standard room. Mention of Plat rewards membership at check-in, but no mention of upgrade. I do prefer being told that an upgrade wasn't available than nothing at all - at least I get the feeling they checked.
Amenities and a mirror TV. Unfortunately, no speaker outlet in the shower.
Previously opened vanity kit. These tiny things always make you wonder what else wasn't properly attended to...
No bath salts...That explains the missing q-tips. The previous guest must have needed them to dry out his/her ears after a pleasant bath.
Always love having a large seating areas, although I hardly ever have use for them...
Nearly drowned my iPad later when attempting to make use of this fantastic invention.
The only amenity series I even take half empty bottles home of.
Spent a fairly large amount of time making sure I figure out what each of those pictograms meant, only to find out the water part didn't actually work. The fan did, but that's very little use on its own. Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact.
A popular thread these days is about bashing of Marriott interior designers. Luckily, nothing to complain about at this place though...
Mini Bar - while it's included at some of the other properties within the Galaxy complex, it is not at the JW.
View from the room over the pool area of the Galaxy complex, shared by multiple 5 star establishments such as the Galaxy, Banyan Tree and Okura.
Rooftop current pool. I was told it takes about 20 minutes to float the entire length of 500m. Didn't get around to trying it but looks like lots of fun...
Pool area of the Ritz-Carlton, which happens to be located just above the JW Marriott in the same building. Didn't see anyone down there the entire time I was there. Note the private pools just below me, they will make another appearance later.
Marriott pool area with the tiki hut shaped pool bar in the center.
Overview of the pool complex. Note the huge tide wave pool with a sand beach towards the left. Accessible for all guests of the adjoining hotels. Which is also the downside of the "Grand Resort Deck". There's people constantly wandering around, which does not exactly make for a quiet poolside experience.
The Marriott pool. Outside temperature: 32°C. Water temperature: Felt like 32°C.
Very clean and amenity-laden changing rooms
After my swim, I decided to head for the cocktail/dinner hour at the Executive Lounge on the second floor.
Hotels and juice...What's the deal with filling juice into tiny bottles? You just end up drinking 4 of them anyway - just give me a jug and a reasonably sized glass already. Then again, my focus was more on the omnipresent G&T...
Beautiful selection all around. Nice cold cuts and cheeses, too. But...NO BREAD! Was told they'd serve bread for breakfast only. My wondering as to how blue cheese and brie could be eaten without bread lead the wonderfully attentive staff to supply me with heaps of fresh bread from another restaurant that could have served an entire family.
Feeling blissful after a visit to Taipa Village, which is just a short 10 minute walk across the street. I had no idea what was about to come my way.
By now, I am convinced this was the prince of darkness lurking through the semi-functioning toilet, ready to make his move.
At 4am I woke up to lights flashing all over the place. Instantly thought of the Poltergeist movies, and we all know how those end for secondary characters like myself...Hit every light switch in the room, including the Master Switch. Nothing could be done to end my private disco. Two engineers spent an hour working on the fuse box before realizing that they hadn't paid enough attention at exorcism camp.
Here's a little impression of something i don't ever want to experience again. I took out the sound - it consisted of light switch sounds, heavy panting and swearing.
Front desk profusely apologized for the inconvenience and the fact they only had one room left to move to.
Remember those private pools...?
The lights are darker and the lotion double the size on the other side...
The next morning...
The complex is still under construction. At a rack rate of something like 4000 USD a night, this isn't something I would want to see though.
On to breakfast at the Executive lounge. Again, those bottles
As promised, I did find a large selection of bread, too.
Since I couldn't go back to sleep immediately after all that turmoil, I was the first one in the breakfast room.
And back home on a low note. Note to self: You know how bad Macau beer is. I know it comes with the First Class ticket, but just don't even bother to try again because it's free...
Overall, a nice hotel with rooms not much different from the other hotels within the Galaxy complex. The free dinner and breakfast do justify paying a little more here, but that obviously only applies if you have status at Marriott.
Staff was outstanding. Might be because the hotel has just opened a few weeks ago that spirits are high...but even so, we were all blown away by the attitude and friendliness of everyone we encountered. Kudos!
first off, this is my first trip report ever. I am certainly hoping to get some feedback on content and pictures. If you found it boring/annoying/interesting, please do say so. If no one tells me I am a failure at my new hobby I'll continue bothering the FT world with no learning curve...
This TR is for the new JW Marriott in Macau, which opened just two weeks ago. It is the second largest JW Marriott in the world, after Dubai. Its is part of the Galaxy complex on the Taipa part of the southern island of Macau.
Of the many, many doors this complex has I believe this to be the main entrance to the JW Marriott Macau.
I had checked in (successfully, for the first time) with the mobile app already; Rewards desk to the left with no queue.
First impression of my standard room. Mention of Plat rewards membership at check-in, but no mention of upgrade. I do prefer being told that an upgrade wasn't available than nothing at all - at least I get the feeling they checked.
Amenities and a mirror TV. Unfortunately, no speaker outlet in the shower.
Previously opened vanity kit. These tiny things always make you wonder what else wasn't properly attended to...
No bath salts...That explains the missing q-tips. The previous guest must have needed them to dry out his/her ears after a pleasant bath.
Always love having a large seating areas, although I hardly ever have use for them...
Nearly drowned my iPad later when attempting to make use of this fantastic invention.
The only amenity series I even take half empty bottles home of.
Spent a fairly large amount of time making sure I figure out what each of those pictograms meant, only to find out the water part didn't actually work. The fan did, but that's very little use on its own. Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact.
A popular thread these days is about bashing of Marriott interior designers. Luckily, nothing to complain about at this place though...
Mini Bar - while it's included at some of the other properties within the Galaxy complex, it is not at the JW.
View from the room over the pool area of the Galaxy complex, shared by multiple 5 star establishments such as the Galaxy, Banyan Tree and Okura.
Rooftop current pool. I was told it takes about 20 minutes to float the entire length of 500m. Didn't get around to trying it but looks like lots of fun...
Pool area of the Ritz-Carlton, which happens to be located just above the JW Marriott in the same building. Didn't see anyone down there the entire time I was there. Note the private pools just below me, they will make another appearance later.
Marriott pool area with the tiki hut shaped pool bar in the center.
Overview of the pool complex. Note the huge tide wave pool with a sand beach towards the left. Accessible for all guests of the adjoining hotels. Which is also the downside of the "Grand Resort Deck". There's people constantly wandering around, which does not exactly make for a quiet poolside experience.
The Marriott pool. Outside temperature: 32°C. Water temperature: Felt like 32°C.
Very clean and amenity-laden changing rooms
After my swim, I decided to head for the cocktail/dinner hour at the Executive Lounge on the second floor.
Hotels and juice...What's the deal with filling juice into tiny bottles? You just end up drinking 4 of them anyway - just give me a jug and a reasonably sized glass already. Then again, my focus was more on the omnipresent G&T...
Beautiful selection all around. Nice cold cuts and cheeses, too. But...NO BREAD! Was told they'd serve bread for breakfast only. My wondering as to how blue cheese and brie could be eaten without bread lead the wonderfully attentive staff to supply me with heaps of fresh bread from another restaurant that could have served an entire family.
Feeling blissful after a visit to Taipa Village, which is just a short 10 minute walk across the street. I had no idea what was about to come my way.
By now, I am convinced this was the prince of darkness lurking through the semi-functioning toilet, ready to make his move.
At 4am I woke up to lights flashing all over the place. Instantly thought of the Poltergeist movies, and we all know how those end for secondary characters like myself...Hit every light switch in the room, including the Master Switch. Nothing could be done to end my private disco. Two engineers spent an hour working on the fuse box before realizing that they hadn't paid enough attention at exorcism camp.
Here's a little impression of something i don't ever want to experience again. I took out the sound - it consisted of light switch sounds, heavy panting and swearing.
Front desk profusely apologized for the inconvenience and the fact they only had one room left to move to.
Remember those private pools...?
The lights are darker and the lotion double the size on the other side...
The next morning...
The complex is still under construction. At a rack rate of something like 4000 USD a night, this isn't something I would want to see though.
On to breakfast at the Executive lounge. Again, those bottles
As promised, I did find a large selection of bread, too.Since I couldn't go back to sleep immediately after all that turmoil, I was the first one in the breakfast room.
And back home on a low note. Note to self: You know how bad Macau beer is. I know it comes with the First Class ticket, but just don't even bother to try again because it's free...
Overall, a nice hotel with rooms not much different from the other hotels within the Galaxy complex. The free dinner and breakfast do justify paying a little more here, but that obviously only applies if you have status at Marriott.
Staff was outstanding. Might be because the hotel has just opened a few weeks ago that spirits are high...but even so, we were all blown away by the attitude and friendliness of everyone we encountered. Kudos!
Last edited by gpia; Jun 7, 2015 at 11:33 pm
Jun 8, 2015, 10:16 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
Yes, club access was granted based on Platinum for both breakfast and dinner (including free drinks/cocktails) for me +1 guest. Although the hotel was fully booked, the club lounge was pretty much empty at night. Can't be sure about breakfast as I left early, but they didn't even put placemats on more than 60% of the tables as they would if there were expecting a full house...
Jun 9, 2015, 3:46 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
In Taipa Village: Get a pork chop bun next to Starbucks. One of the few left that do them around Taipa, three of my regular places disappeared already. This one's still good.
In Macau in general: Downtown - Ruins of St. Paul, then take the escalator up the mountain inside the Museum to your right. Or walk up, should be fine in November. Look around, then walk back down through the Museum (~10HKD), well worth it and not a waste of time at all.
Jul 6, 2015, 7:02 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Florida
Programs: United, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton
Posts: 49
My Indian co-worker said he found food at the Sheraton he could eat every day (Taipa). I am not sure if it was traditional Indian but it met all his dietary needs.
There is a traditional Indian restaurant near the Holiday Inn on the Macau peninsula. He ate there for a month and said the food was good.
There is a traditional Indian restaurant near the Holiday Inn on the Macau peninsula. He ate there for a month and said the food was good.
Jul 6, 2015, 7:09 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Florida
Programs: United, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton
Posts: 49
The weather is awesome if you like humid and a dew point around 80 degrees F. If you like visiting casinos and some of the largest hotels on the planet there is stuff to do. There are more restaurants than you will have time to visit. Some should be 3 Michelin star if they are not. There are some historic landmarks and a science museum. As a stop over or short couple day trip from Hong Kong it makes sense too. It was my first trip to "China" so the introduction of traditional food plus the Portuguese influenced food was a highlight.
Jul 13, 2015, 9:36 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
I didn't take too many as I was kind of tired and annoyed. The interior and decoration was similar to the standard room, just with a lot more space. The pool was clearly the highlight.