Couples are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to luxurious accommodation options at excellent prices, couples’ spa treatments that will leave you both on cloud nine and restaurants that equal the best in the world. We think couples will love the eight options we’ve chosen as they all offer a very different experience.
1. Mandarin Oriental
Stylish, beautifully appointed rooms and suites are just part of the many charms of this architecturally stunning building sited on the waterfront within walking distance of all the action of the city, its historical centre and three major casinos, MGM, Wynn and Grand Lisboa. Floor-to-ceiling glass reveals stunning vistas of the city, Macau Tower, Nam Van Lake and the South China Sea. The oversized bathroom offers a full-size bath where you can both enjoy a long, decadent soak drinking in the magical views along with a glass of bubbles.
Take a swim in the 25-metre outdoor pool overlooking the city after a workout in the cutting-edge fitness centre before dissolving your stress with a soothing couple’s treatment in the healing sanctuary that is the Spa at Mandarin Oriental.
Your night out must begin with a cocktail at Vida Rica Bar, a stunning space that will wow you with its opulent decor of marble, crystal, velvet and silk and blow you away with its glittering view over Nam Van Lake and the shimmering city lights.Vida Rica restaurant is outstanding in every way (see our restaurant reviews) and a romantic dinner here will be a highlight of your trip.
Couples will love: The sleek modernity of this glossy hotel offers a chic and convenient bolt-hole between sightseeing and shopping and the close proximity to Lan Kwai Fong Bar Street with its many restaurants, bars and bands means you can wear your highest Jimmy Choos when heading out for a nightcap!
The Spa: One of the signature treatments perfect for couples is the two hour Macanese Dragon Experience which features a combination of specialised massage techniques and Chinese Baoding balls traditionally used to release tension. Beginning with a foot cleanse and then a stimulating body scrub followed by a steam shower, you then make your way into a jacuzzi for a 20-minute soak before blissing out with a full body massage where the heated balls are used to target tension areas bliss, bliss, bliss! mandarinoriental.com/macau
2. Four Seasons
Handily situated on the Cotai Strip, the Four Seasons Hotel is a divine property designed with such impeccable style and taste, you’ll feel as though you’re staying in a grand mansion, not a hotel.The lavish lobby boasts a wide, sweeping staircase, Corinthian columns and vaulted windows, gleaming marble floors and plump, classic furnishings – all very elegant and swish. Step outside through the towering French doors and you would swear you’re in Europe. The manicured grounds are so perfect they look as if they’ve been trimmed with scissors and the five swimming pools (one with a waterfall) and private poolside cabanas invite leisurely hours of relaxation.
There’s nothing like being indulged and cosseted on your holiday and that’s just how you’ll feel staying in one of the gorgeous rooms or suites with their sink- into beds and large, well-appointed bathrooms with bath. Every afternoon little edible treats arrive on your coffee table and if you book a room with access to the Executive Club, you’ll be even more spoiled!
Couples will love: Being able to stroll down a corridor to find yourself surrounded by more than 160 luxury and designer brand shops before ending up in the fabulous Venetian where you’ll be dazzled by the sheer opulence of your surroundings.
The Spa: Harness your positive energy with the spa’s signature treatment – Diamond Magnetic Jewel – designed to clear the body’s energy pathways beginning with the placing of precious gemstones on the seven chakra points before having your body polished with crushed diamonds and micronised iron. Finished with a massage to balance your energy, you’ll leave here with your aura glowing and your chakras singing. fourseasons.com/macau/spa
3. Grand Hyatt Macau
Very much a showpiece of the City of Dreams, this grand five-star hotel on the Vegas-like Cotai Strip is so highly thought of that it has collected a bundle of prestigious awards in its short life, amassing five alone in the first half of 2012.The decor of the hotel’s 791 guest rooms and suites is contemporary, the amenities living up to the hotel’s five-star rating. As a sanctuary, the modern Asian-influenced Isala Spa is perfect, while the Grand Hyatt’s fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre and outdoor pool are also appealing. And to satisfy the taste buds, there’s the popular Mezza9, an international restaurant with individual open kitchens which is justly famous for its Sunday buffet. Another popular eatery is the Beijing Kitchen, a magnet for its relaxed atmosphere and tasty Northern Chinese cuisine, with the Peking duck a hot favourite. And in the heart of the hotel is the Lobby Lounge, much sought-after for its afternoon tea, and highlighted by a striking cluster of copper art pieces.
Couples will love: Its opulence and location within the City of Dreams, close to a number of designer label shops, varied dining options and the breathtakingly spectacular show – The House of Dancing Water.
The Spa: As the name suggests, the hotel’s Isala Spa prides itself on Asian- style pampering along with its special packages which revolve around a 90-minute Signature Massage – a combination of massage techniques ‘to leave your body and mind fully rejuvenated.’The spa is also renowned for its 30-minute Sea Salt Body Scrub. And on sale are Voya organic seaweed retail products. Each guest also has access to the whirlpool, steam room and freeze shower, fitness centre and 40-metre temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool.macau.grand.hyatt.com
4. Hard Rock Macau
If you want to feel like a rock star, the Hard Rock Hotel, also in the City of Dreams, is the spot to stay. From the moment you enter the foyer you will be impressed by an exhibition of the guitars of some of the most famous rock artists, Jimmy Page and Bon Jovi included. Also in the lobby is the popular R Bar, and, for after dark entertainment, the Cubic nightclub. The 300-room and suite Hard Rock Hotel has its Rock Shop, specialising in selling rock ‘n roll memorabilia, the plush and relaxing Rock Spa for a massage, and an outdoor swimming pool on Level three, complete with cabanas and Wave bar and grill, and often referred to as the ‘rock pool’. It’s not surprising that the signature bedding in the guest rooms and suites is branded ‘Sleep like a Rock’, something you are guaranteed during a stay, especially if you want to stay in the plush and very spacious Rock Star Suite.
Couples will love: A great spot to party into the wee hours is the Cubic nightclub. And, as for shopping, well, there’s a host of nearby quality stores worth exploring. And dining is another treat within the City of Dreams.
The Spa: Keeping in line with the hotel’s Elvis-like image, the aptly named Rock Spa on Level three offers everything you need to recharge the batteries for the night ahead. Eight private treatment rooms offer a range of massages, body treatments and facials, as well as facilities that include an outdoor heated swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness centre. And if you book a private cabana by the pool, the therapist will come too.hardrockhotelmacau.com
5. Banyan Tree Macau
If you want to ‘experience life at the top’, the Banyan Tree with its 246 signature suites and ten spacious private pool villas is the resort for you, especially as all suites have an indoor pool.The Banyan Tree’s suites take up 50 per cent of one of the two soaring towers of the Galaxy precinct on the Cotai Strip, shading a large and impressive pool area with private cabanas and an outdoor bar, and the neighbouring private villas. Villa guests enjoy all the spoils of Asian hospitality through a dedicated butler service. On the top two floors of the tower is the split-level presidential suite with its dining room and views over the city. Fine-dining options include Belon, with an aquatic-themed bar, and Saffron for traditional Thai cuisine.
Couples will love: Sheer bliss in private plush surrounds where the decor in the tower’s suites is Asian inspired and everything is at your fingertips.Then there’s your personal pool, one in every room. Book a villa and the butler service will soon win you over especially on such special occasions as a honeymoon or wedding anniversary.
The Spa: Experience a sanctuary for the senses with Banyan Tree Spa with its holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being.The spa draws on Asian traditions that date back centuries, massage treatments based on evolving techniques that have passed through the ages. Health and beauty remedies make use of aromatic oils, herbs and spices with ‘ancient healing powers’. A signature Banyan Tree Spa innovation, the Rain-mist experience, combines a shower with steam ‘to prepare the body for the invigorating body scrub’. banyantree.com/en/macau
6. Wynn Macau
As the only resort in Macau to win four successive Forbes Five-Star awards (2009-2012),Wynn Macau, with its 20-storey curved towerand regular outdoor fountain show stands tall on the Macau peninsula. Contemporary throughout with decorative elements of far-off lands, this five-star hotel also prides itself on a plush spa (it too collected four successive Forbes Five-Star awards), and two fine dining restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2012 – the two star Wing Lei Chinese restaurant and the Golden Flower with its traditional Tan cuisine.The six-year-old hotel boasts 600 elegantly decorated and furnished guest rooms and suites in the main tower while its sister tower Encore at Wynn Macau is more boutique style and features 414 lavish suites as well as two restaurants.
Couples will love: Perfect location for a walk hand-in-hand along the waterfront as well as through historic Macau, from the steps of the Ruins of St Paul’s to famous Senado Square.
The Spa: An award-winner, the Spa at Wynn prides itself on an Asian- inspired decor and comprehensive selection of spa treatments and products.The spa menu is tailored to the specific needs of each guest, with as many as 30 therapies including facials, massages, body pampering and hydrotherapy treatments. Signature and unique therapies includes a Macanese Massage, Ginseng Hot Stones and Golden Fortune, all very popular.Yes, you can actually bathe yourself in milk and even Champagne – at a price! wynnmacau.com
7. Conrad Hotel Macao
Conrad Macao is also the world’s largest of its brand with as many as 636 spacious guest rooms and 206 luxurious suites spread over 39-storey towers in the Londoner Macao precinct. Contemporary in design and plush in decor and furnishings, this hotel boasts a luxurious day spa – Bodhi Spa – along with a variety of restaurants featuring regional and international cuisine.The buffet offers cuisine from around the globe, including popular pan-Asian dishes, South-East Asian specialties and classic imperial style cuisine.
Couples will love: With around 100 shops nearby, couples should prepare to give the credit card a thrashing as well as dine in some fascinating restaurants, one specialising in a number of rice dishes.
The Spa: Bodhi Spa is an elegant and spacious spa with ten suites. Prepare for one of four main types of personalised treatments which offer a balancing experience for mind, body and soul, and ensure a journey of awakening and enlightenment – the meaning of the word ‘bodhi.’ The innovative new spa features a selection of ancient Aboriginal, Ayurvedic and Asian spa treatments.There’s also a training room with yoga and Pilates lessons available.conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/
8. MGM Macau
With the familiar MGM lions standing guard, this popular hotel on the Macau peninsula truly stands out for its modern architecture alone which ‘reflects the rolling swell of the surf ’. As many as 582 rooms and suitesare inside the 35-storey hotel tower, along with a popular nightclub and luxurious day spa.There are also nine restaurants, including Rossio which is famous for its giant buffet, another in a prime location on the roof with panoramic views of the city and harbour which is spectacular by night.The centrepiece of the hotel is the Grande Praça with its glass ceiling and 25 metre high, European inspired facades.
Couples will love: Its close proximity to old Macau makes for a leisurely stroll into the centre’s historic past. Bargain shopping can also be experienced during a walk along the waterfront.
The Spa: The luxurious Six Senses Spa – an award winner – offers a selection of spa programs which combine Asian therapies with its own signature treatments along with holistic fitness, beauty and, of course, sheer pampering in the hands of international therapists. Spa features include a laconium and vitality pool. Spa products are made only of natural ingredients – ‘in harmony with the environment’.mgmmacau.com
If you are planning to visit Macao, don’t miss our guide to the eight best things to do and see there.
