Did some searches and have read various posts but did not get a feel (as much as one can through FT) on Macau.

If one has the time, is Macau worthwhile?

From posters threads, I seem to have sensed that 2 days would be enough to get a firm sense of Macau.

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IMHO, I think one night is sufficient, if not a day trip from HKG. Last year, I made an overnight trip to Macau and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. They have a nice spa and pool. Service was fine The rooms are in need of refurbishment. Overall the hotel is fine but it is near the lower spectrum of the Mandarin Oriental chain.

We had dinner at the Hyatt Regency (Flamingo). We loved it. The hotel however is on on Taipa island (I think) and is away from the center of Macau.

This place seems to have much more charm:
http://www.saotiago.com.mo/main_e.html

If you take the ferry to Macau from Hong Kong, go first class. It think it's worth it, if not for the cold meal included in the price of ticket, but for the big difference in comfort of the seat. The difference, I think, is about HK$100-HK$120.

Agree that two days is probably about right. If you like resort hotels then the Westin is excellent. It is down on Coloane, but Macao is a very small place so it's only 20 mins in a cab end-to-end.

I would recommend getting out of the hotels to eat - there are some excellent Macanese places around. I would particularly recommend A Petisqueira on Taipa

Rua S. Joao No.15A/B
Taipa
Tel: +853 825354

Run by a very friendly Portuguese guy with some excellent food and superb value Portuguese wine.

The Westin is also a short walk along the beach from Fernando's which is one of the standard recommendations for great Macanese food, though it tends to be full of vistors rather than locals, which is not true of A Petisqueira.

Unless you have an objection to casinos then you should check out the one in Hotel Lisboa just to see how seriously gambling is taken in this part of the world, and how different it can be from Las Vegas.

If it's a clear day and you have cash to spare then consider the 20 min helicoptor ride back from Macau - a great way to approach HK. It's about HK$1200 per person and departs from the ferry terminal.

[This message has been edited by christep (edited 04-14-2003).]

What are the "Don't Miss" things to see and do in Macau?

It looks like the Church of Sao Paulo and Temple of Kun Iam are definites. Any other thoughts and suggestions?

It really depends upon you. It is a place you may not like at all or care for very much, or you might enjoy going at least once. I usually will go anywhere once at give it a try. I somewhat enjoyed Macau, am glad I went, but would not go again on my own -- but I went twice in order to take my wife the second time. If you go, one night is probably enough unless you are merely into hotels and beaches. If you are the type to walk around to get that type of feel for a place, then one long day would be enough. There is a good mixture of Chinese and Portuguese architecture. The food is very good. I enjoyed the parks, the gondola ride, Sun Yat-Sen's house,

You also can also use it as a stopover either going or returning from southern China. I went up and played golf north of Zhuhai in Zhong Shan on one trip.

>premature submission<

[This message has been edited by Y_me? (edited 09-08-2003).]

Suggestions: The A-Ma Temple (pray that the tour buses aren't there at the same time as you); the fort above the ruins of Sao Paulo; the main square (note the green kiosk with Heineken umbrellas and quench your thirst there); and the Lisboa Hotel for its reception area, casino (as noted above by christep), and the bedizened tai tais eyeing the luxury goods in its shop windows. Outside, around back, you may see Aussie strippers/hookers.

Riding the minibuses from one side of the island to the other is a great way to see the different parts of Macau while cooling off.

The Museum of Macau, next to the church. The Maritime Museum ....

Thanks for the Macau tips folks!

Thought those were Russian (or former Soviet Union) gals. Wanted to test them but they didn't seem to understand me at all when I said, "Good evening, ladies". No reaction at all, but maybe because I was with my wife.

Could be; makes sense. The only one I heard speak had an Aussie or Kiwi accent, though.