Mini Guide
Cotai houses Macau’s largest number of integrated resorts. It was built on reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane so that more hotels, shopping malls, convention centres, and casinos could be built.
After Macau’s gambling monopoly was scrapped, land was needed to build more hotels, casinos, and other recreational facilities. To this end, land was reclaimed between the islands of Taipa and Coloane, creating Cotai, which is slowly developing into something similar to the Las Vegas Strip.
Cotai has a growing number of hotels and integrated resorts. There are casinos, shopping malls, countless food and beverage outlets, and a host of entertainment facilities.
You really could spend several days there without running out of things to see and you.
This is the 2nd in a 4 part series of suggested itineraries for a 3 day, 2 night stay spanning roughly 44 hours.
I conceived of these as long weekends (leaving work early on Friday and returning home on Sunday afternoon).
However, if you want to escape the maddening crowds, a mid-week get-away would be even better!
And if you can’t leave work early on day one, just skip the afternoon’s activities and head straight to “evening”.
What to Do on Day One
Afternoon
Check into the Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central, freshen up, and enjoy the facilities. The hotel has 3 outdoor swimming pools, a well equipped gym, and an excellent spa.
Or you can shop till you drop at the shopping mall that adjoins the hotel or try your luck at one of the many casinos in the vicinity.
Alternatively …
Check into one of the many other hotels or resorts that dot Cotai. There is something for every taste and budget.
Evening
Have a leisurely dinner at Xin, one of the best hot pot restaurants in town. Here’s what’s special: each diner get his or her own pot, and there are lots of choices of soup bases.
Click here for a first hand review of Xin.
Following dinner, stroll over to the City of Dreams and take in the show at Taboo, which “challenges your senses through a diverse array of interactive and innovative performances”. The show starts at 9.30 pm.
What to Do on Day Two
Morning
Get up close and personal with Skrek and Friends at the Shrekfast Character Breakfast at the Sands Cotai Central. Lots of yummy food, fabulous entertainment, and some memorable photo opps!
Click here for pictures of ShrekFast.
Spend the rest of the morning shopping, trying your luck at one of the casinos, or enjoying the hotel’s facilities. Why not have a spa treatment at Shine Spa?
Noon
Stroll over the the City of Dreams and have lunch at Din Tai Fung. This might be a global chain, but the noodles, dumplings, and other yummy bites can’t be beat!
Alternatively …
If you’re in the mood for Western food, have lunch at The Tasting Room at Crown Towers (a fine dining restaurant with a Michelin star if you want to go elegant) or El Pinball (a relaxed Mexican restaurant if you want to go casual).
Spend the afternoon shopping, trying your luck at one of the casinos, or having a spa treatment.
Afternoon
Take in the afternnoon performance of the City of Dancing Water at the City of Dreams, which starts at 5.00 pm.
Evening
Head back to the Sheraton and have a mouth-watering dinner at Bene, the hotel’s acclaimed Italian restaurant. Insider’s tip: the beef dishes are highly recommended!
After dinner, stroll over to the Ritz-Carlton, Macau, and have cocktails at the Bar and Lounge on the 51st Floor. The views are magnificent.
What to Do on Day Three
Morning
Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast at Feast, the Sheraton’s all day international market style restaurant. Enjoy the hotel’s facilities, go shopping, or try your luck at the casinos.
Ask for a late check out if you are not in a hurry. If you’re lucky, your room might not have been booked. But there are no guarantees. Worst case scenario: you leave your stuff with the concierge.
Noon
Stroll over to the Grand Hyatt Macau and have lunch at Beijing Kitchen. The Peking duck is said to be the best in town.
Afternoon
Wander across the street to the Venetian, where a whole other world of entertainment, gambling, and shopping awaits..
Alternatively …
Why not call in sick and stay one more day?
Where
Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central, Estrada do Istmo, s/n, Cotai, Macau. Telephone: (853) 2880-2000.