Choosing a hotel in Macau?
 

Specifically I am looking at two choices -- the JW Marriott in Galaxy Macau, Cotai and the Sheraton at Estrada do Istmo. s/n, Cotai. Any advice has to which one to pick one over the other? Is one location better than the other in terms of access/ease to get to tourist sites? I've looked at it on a map, but I cannot really tell. Tripadvisor ranks Sheraton slightly higher in its reviews, but any personal insights appreciated. Two of us will be staying on points so price is not an issue, and (I think) both include breakfast and lounge access so that is not a concern either. Input welcome!

Location is about the same for both; however, the Galaxy Macau has a nice (and free) bus system that takes you to various places in Macau.

Haven't stayed at either so I can't comment on the quality of the hotels.

Each one in its own mega-complex on Cotai, so location hardly matters. You will rely on each complex's own shuttles or taxis to get out of there. The Sheraton is a very large hotel and the Club rooms are good with a big lounge with free breakfast and "afternoon tea" which can be considered a dinner; non-Club and I don't know. JWM is newer and which I would choose if those are your only choices.

If your purpose is to visit the historical center, then you would better pay money for something in Macau proper.

Thanks everyone, I decided to go with the JW Marriott.

I've stayed at the Sheraton and it ranks as the best Sheraton in the world. Huge hotel though. JW Marriott looks to be comparable so you can't go wrong, just be aware that Cotai is not really Macau (old city) and more like a huge shopping mall & casino where you never go outside. And the shops sell things for USD 100,000 :) Bit of a different world. No wonder it is 10x richer than Vegas, even with the current downturn. But a bit boring at best of times, to put it gently.

And I've stayed at the Hyatt, which was one of the better Hyatts, especially the club room where it was pretty darn easy to make a full breakfast (with a few dimsum cooked to order as well) and dinner.

It is also in Cotai and hence has the problems stated by number_6 above.

Sorry to bump an old thread folks.

This will be my first time in Hong Kong and Macau. Actually, my first time back since moving to Canada...30 years ago! :o

We don't have family in either cities so we certainly require accomadation. I am an SPG Gold member and looking to book with the Sheraton in Macau and HK. How are they with SPG members? My track record so far in Canada and the US for upgrades has been precisely 0 out of 33 stays this year. I understand international SPG hotels are much better at this, but I'm hoping you folks could share your experience.

Thanks in advance! :)

P.S. - I will consider a different hotel chain if need be. SPG has NOT been very good to me this year.

I’m planning a 3-day, 2 night stay, then departing Macau on the last ferry of the day to HKG airport. If one does not intend to play at the casinos or shop, does using award points to stay at either the Sheraton or Hyatt make sense? Or would it be better to stay in Macau proper? Macau is smaller than HKG, so it should not matter, or does it? Thanks...

It actually matters. You have to rely on the free shuttles or taxis to get between the Cotai casino-hotels and Macau Peninsula. You waste quite a bit of time, and more importantly, taxis may not be available from whatever sightseeing point you end up in, as taxis in Macau are highly concentrated at the casino-hotels, airport, ferry piers and Chinese borders only.

If I were to mainly visit the historical centre, I would rather pay money to stay at the Sofitel or one of the other hotels on Macau Peninsula, especially for weekdays when the rates are more reasonable.

0% chance of upgrades w/ Sheraton Macau on SPG.

Ouch. Why is that? :o

They just don't - historical experience between me and my friends at SPG Gold level. I keep thinking its a franchise and the franchise operator chooses not to be nice to SPG members.

I've been upgraded at the Sheraton (SPG Gold). From Ambassador suite to a Presidential suite, twice.

The odd thing is that over at Conrad Macao next door (in the same complex) I've gone from cheapest room to entry level suite as an HH Gold (not Diamond)... on a cash and points stay, no less. The reports in the FT thread seem to agree this is fairly common unless the hotel's filled up (so weekday upgrades should be easy peasy).

I guess the franchisee must like Hilton better or something?

Choosing a hotel in Macau?
 

We booked a club level executive suite at the Sheraton - only 11.5k points (vs. 10k for a non-club regular room). Midweek. Probably one of the best deals in the system (not necessarily based on the $ value of the room, which wasn't so expensive given midweek). Very nice 1-bd suite, great lounge breakfast. Good service. Our flight was 3 hours late into HKG so we missed the evening reception, but still, nice hotel.