HKtraveller

Please enlighten me where the Grand Waldo is located if not on the Cotai Strip.
But I have to admit it has one of the most boring casinos I have seen. And the hotel definitely is not a place I would want to stay.

To the OP: If you want to choose between Holiday Inn and Lisboa, then the decision is very easy. I would never ever stay in the Holiday Inn again. Some 5 years back, when I returned to sleep at 4 am, I found the hot water turned off during the night in this so called 4 star hotel. It must be one of the worst Holiday Inns in the world.

slickalick

Also, the Four Seasons which is right next to the Venetian is also open. Probably one of the best-value FS experiences in Asia - at only about US$250 a night (weekday).

wilp888

You must be joking or probably never stayed at some of the Holiday Inns in the U.S.

thursday

the Holiday Inn in Macau is CRAP. I will never stay there again and I will certainly tell my friends and aquaintances to avoid it at all cost. The rooms are tiny, furnishings old and tuck away in a back street. Would never have thought it to be a world reknowned brand. Shame on these franchisees.

The Lisbao is too sleazy to stay at. Play, yes, but way too sin bin to sleep at.

HKtraveller

We are probably talking about the Holiday Inn in Macau and you probably didn't realize that.

By the way, even the Hyatt in Macau when still existing was the worst one I know. The problem with Macau is that they believe that they are a world city and forget that that needs infrastructure, not only shine.

The franchisee is always as bad as the franchisor lets him be. There again the problem in Macau is that the only staff available in the market are the ones too stupid to get a job in a casino.
Times are starting to change though.

wilp888

I was referring to your comment: "It must be one of the worst Holiday Inns in the world." There are far, far worse Holiday Inns out there than the one in Macau.

HKtraveller

Ops, sorry, I misunderstood you then. I haven't stayed at any other holiday Inn except the one in Hong Kong, which is just acceptable. I just can't imagine that a hotel chain can keep such a price level and survive if it is true what you say.

jpdx

The HI Macau is actually one of the better HIs w/r/t elite benefits. As a Platinum member (RA), I've always been welcomed by the extremely friendly & helpful guest service manager and manager, receive an upgrade to a suite on the 28th floor (in need of some refurbishment), free lounge access, and breakfast. This treatment is quite different from what I've come to expect at HIs.

That said, the HI is far from the nicest hotels in Macau. I've stayed pretty much everywhere over the years, used to prefer the MO and then the Wynn, and (strangely) also enjoyed the Starworld Galaxy. The Venetian is a great deal if booked through PL HK ($1388 HKD package deal including breakfast and transfers), if one doesn't mind staying at the Cotai strip. The MGM's rates are too high for what they offer. The Crown, Westin, and Ponte 16 are fine, but too far from the action for my tastes. I'd stay away from the Lisboas.

Regarding where to play, it really depends on which game you're interested in. Odds wise you'll want to stick with Black Jack and Roulette. Macau has some great blackjack games with very generous rules, but auto-shufflers are everywhere. European-style roulette games can also be found (single zero and en prison). Stay away from the fancy American style Casinos, and wager your money at the old SJM Casinos. Baccarat odds aren't as good, and numerous sucker bets (Wheel of Fortune, Casino War, etc.) have found their way to Macau as well. I'd certainly recommend watching some of the crazy Asian games (although you don't necessarily want to play, as the odds can be pretty atrocious).

HKtraveller

If I stay in a hotel (Holiday Inn Macau - for those who don't want to read the whole thread) where I don't have hot water in the middle of the night, there is nothing they could possibly upgrade me to to make this acceptable.

Now I don't know if this is the rule or was a fault. In the latter case I would have expected a "sorry" for the least.

splatnz

Just stayed at the Sofitel in Macau. A little bit away from the other hotels in the old part of town but good if you're interested in Macau's history and want to walk around the area. It's about a 15min walk away from the Lisboa.

Enjoyed my stay there and would stay again. Also like the attached casino (Ponte 16) because the playing limit appears to be lower than other areas (MOP100 for Blackjack, most other places were MOP200).