Going to Macau for the first time...
May 22, 2013, 10:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Going to Macau for the first time...
I flew into HK rencently and am thinking about making a short trip to Macau to check it out.
I did some searches online and there seems to be a lot of choices...packages with ferry tickets included, meals, etc...and straight rooms.
Any recommendations on where to stay and what to do? Are there any good packages out there?
Thanks!!
I did some searches online and there seems to be a lot of choices...packages with ferry tickets included, meals, etc...and straight rooms.
Any recommendations on where to stay and what to do? Are there any good packages out there?
Thanks!!
May 22, 2013, 10:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: BA
Posts: 392
Hotels are cheaper on weekdays
You can get hotel packages with the travel agents at the pier in Sheung Wan.
Do you gamble? Are you going there alone?
There is a lot of old/interesting architecture in Macau.
Macau can be done on a day trip.
You can get hotel packages with the travel agents at the pier in Sheung Wan.
Do you gamble? Are you going there alone?
There is a lot of old/interesting architecture in Macau.
Macau can be done on a day trip.
May 22, 2013, 10:36 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Thanks for the quick reply! I gamble but not seriously, I'll play a few games here and there...I'm going with a friend who hasn't been there either (not a big gambler as well). We were thinking about going to a show? do you know what's a good hotel to stay at? Would it be cheaper to book online directly with the hotel?
May 22, 2013, 11:32 pm
#4
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Location: HKG
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There are so many hotels in Macau, you choice are limitless, including top ones like the Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and the Banyan Tree. But if your main goal is to see the historic center, then one solid choice is the Sofitel. It has a small casino there, but is not one of the major gambling venues in Macau.
The rates on their website is pretty reasonable and probably not much more than going through an agent at the ferry pier.
The rates on their website is pretty reasonable and probably not much more than going through an agent at the ferry pier.
May 22, 2013, 11:39 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
There are so many hotels in Macau, you choice are limitless, including top ones like the Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and the Banyan Tree. But if your main goal is to see the historic center, then one solid choice is the Sofitel. It has a small casino there, but is not one of the major gambling venues in Macau.
The rates on their website is pretty reasonable and probably not much more than going through an agent at the ferry pier.
The rates on their website is pretty reasonable and probably not much more than going through an agent at the ferry pier.
May 24, 2013, 1:55 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: BA
Posts: 392
Hotel Okura is at the City of Dreams along with Banyan Tree, Galaxy, Grand Hyatt and Hard Rock,
I would describe it as the newly developed area of Macau.
Most of the historical attractions are on the other island, which is a 10-15 min taxi ride without traffic. Should cost around US$5 per trip on taxi.
I personally think as a newbie to Macau, I would stay on the Macau island instead, such as MGM, Wynn, Sofitel Ponte16.
I would describe it as the newly developed area of Macau.
Most of the historical attractions are on the other island, which is a 10-15 min taxi ride without traffic. Should cost around US$5 per trip on taxi.
I personally think as a newbie to Macau, I would stay on the Macau island instead, such as MGM, Wynn, Sofitel Ponte16.
May 24, 2013, 9:34 am
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 203
Banyan Tree is also separate from CoD.
I think these are important distinctions, since the CoD has a better location on the Cotai Strip than Galaxy and Banyan Tree, IMO.
May 25, 2013, 7:30 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
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There are automated booths where you can just buy your ticket for the sailing you want. Watch out for the touts who sell return tix for cheaper. The return portion is "space available" and, depending on the day and time, could make for a very long wait.
I had fallen into that trap but luckily sprang for 1st class tix. Didn't have to wait for space on the return portion but there was a huge line-up for the regular pax.
May 25, 2013, 9:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Posts: 648
That is history. At least from HK-China City. Now that so many Mainland groups travel, more often than not they have very long (>100) standby queues. I do the trip on a weekly basis and it is getting worse by the week.
May 26, 2013, 7:14 am
#14
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Over at Shun Tak, if the ferries are really full, Turbojet will run extra sailings, on top of the 15-minute interval. And there is also Cotaijet. On a non-holiday weekday, one should be able to walk up to counter and get a ticket for a sailing within an hour of purchase time. One can go get something to eat, or go in and waitlist, OR, just go to one of the travel agents in Shun Tak, and pay a little more for a ticket for immediate departure. It's really not an issue.
May 27, 2013, 8:28 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Posts: 648
Things are different at the two ferry piers. Kowloon side, it's every 30 minutes and mostly cater to tour groups. Was like that during NWFF days, and no difference now. Just more tour groups.
Over at Shun Tak, if the ferries are really full, Turbojet will run extra sailings, on top of the 15-minute interval. And there is also Cotaijet. On a non-holiday weekday, one should be able to walk up to counter and get a ticket for a sailing within an hour of purchase time. One can go get something to eat, or go in and waitlist, OR, just go to one of the travel agents in Shun Tak, and pay a little more for a ticket for immediate departure. It's really not an issue.
Over at Shun Tak, if the ferries are really full, Turbojet will run extra sailings, on top of the 15-minute interval. And there is also Cotaijet. On a non-holiday weekday, one should be able to walk up to counter and get a ticket for a sailing within an hour of purchase time. One can go get something to eat, or go in and waitlist, OR, just go to one of the travel agents in Shun Tak, and pay a little more for a ticket for immediate departure. It's really not an issue.