worldbanker

Staying in HKG at either Sheraton or Grand Hyatt but also looking at visiting Macau. How is the Westin Macau? Is it worth a visit and of course most important, do the Westins in Asia have the Heavenly Bed!

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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."

NYC1

The Westin in Macau is nice. It is a resort property secluded from the action of Macau. It's on Coloane which is a separate island from the main island. Taxis are not expensive (about USD10 to the city center) and there's also a free shuttle bus (between the ferry terminal and the hotel and between the hotel and the city center).
There isn't too much too do in Macau but it's perfect for 1 or 2 nights. The casinos are interesting if you're in to that.

They have the heavenly bed.

schriste

Yes it is a pleasant property. When I stayed there last March only one or two floors had the heavenly beds. As Platinum this is what I was upgraded to (plus good view). The old core of Macao is an interesting place to wonder around, but most of Macao is covered with horrendously ugly apartment blocks. The Westin Resort has a gold course and a nice large pool. When I was there the place was rather dead, but overall it was a relaxing diversion.

The rooms are very spacious with very large balconies and a very large marble bath with separate shower. The carpet was very worn in my room as were many of the hallway carpets.

techgirl

For those who have stayed at the Westin Macau, how is the location in proximity to the casinos and other nightlife? Are there good restaurants on property or nearby?

I've heard that Macau may not be the safest place for a female to be alone after dark.

siliconengineer

techgirl,

I've been to Macau but didn't stay at the Westin. As NYC1 noted:

"It is a resort property secluded from the action of Macau. It's on Coloane which is a separate island from the main island. Taxis are not expensive (about USD10 to the city center) and there's also a free shuttle bus (between the ferry terminal and the hotel and between the hotel and the city center)."

So no, it is not close to the casinos.

My wife and I did not feel 'unsafe' wandering around Macau during the night, but then, we can pass for natives . Her niece, who lives there, did not caution us either.

HKG_Flyer1

The last time I stayed there, the only open restaurant served Chinese food-- but it was pretty good. The hotel is quite removed from most of the action and has a resort-type atmosphere.

The security situation in Macau has improved significantly since the handover from Portugal to China. Most of the crime seems to be related to loan-sharking, smuggling, etc. However, I know that some of my HK Chinese female friends don't like going over there by themselves.

Globehopper

Prior to the return of this territory back to China, there were problems with gang related crime, and this put a damper upon tourism.

But, this problem seems to have been resolved and I wouldn't worry to much about security. Just take the usual US big city precautions.

ajnaro

Several Brazilian female friends of mine have visited Macao without any trouble, freely wondering about the territory at all hours. It seems that violence never was a problem for foreigners. In fact, two of my friends lived on Taipa (one of the islands) for about six months. The only problem is that virtually nobody knows a word of Portuguese, even though all the signs are in Portuguese. So ... who makes the signs?

TransWorldOne

I really like this hotel. The hotel is on the far island (Coloane). Macau's city center is on the peninsula, followed by Taipa Island, then Coloane Island. The drive from the Westin to the City Center isn't bad-- about twenty to thirty minutes and is a cheap taxi ride or a complimentary shuttle ride.

The location on Hac Sa Beach is very beautiful (as far as Macau goes), especially with the golf course. There is a popular casual restaurant within walking distance (Fernando's, I think). The hotel has a very nice outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool, jacuzzi-type spa pool (though it is only heated to same temp as the pool), and excercise room.

The hotel food & beverage facilities are excellent. I found the service and quality to be very high in all outlets. I particularly enjoyed the breakfast buffet. The prices are outrageous by Macau standards and high by U.S. standards.

As for the popular belief that "there's nothing to do" in Macau, I disagree. There really is a lot to do here. Some favorite things of mine include the wine museum, maritime museum (be sure to take a cruise on the junk here), Ruins of St. Paul, A-Ma Temple, Macau Museum, Guia Fort, and eating and drinking. Good, cheap Portuguese wines are readily available here. The Macau Grand Prix is a fun event every November.

TransWorldOne

Please see:

Articles from ThingsAsian

observations adopted by the 59th session of the Human Rights Committee

Straits Times article on prositution problem

pegasus8228

it turned out to be the best hotel in macau.
they got me an upgraded to exec suite for a free friday award.
it is perhaps the best suite in asia. similar to shanghai st regis, but large room, and with 2 huge balconies (outside sitting room and bedroom each, connected)

..and heavenly bed set on 7/f,8/f. i believe you can also request for it if u r on another floor.

it is far from downtown/casina, but macau is very small. it takes you 25min and US$7-8 to get to downtown.
there r a couple good restaurants on Hac Sa Beach (Fernando's) and the nearby Taipa island.
the hotels runs a free shuttle to the pier, and i think another to the airport.

hac sa = black sand, despite the color, the sand is very fine and it is a please walking bare feet on it.

and, macau is VERY safe now, after the it returned to PRC.

doc

FWIW, I also like Macau and this hotel!

And yes, as noted, the food and wine are very good, and VERY cheap!

Does anyone know, by chance, if the restaraunt know as "Pinnochio", (?, I think, as I forget the local name) is still open? If so, is it still good? Thanks!

ryan754

I have reservations here tonight. I understand to take the Ferry from HK.. How do I get to the resort from the ferry terminal? How much is the Ferry RT again? Is it all in alll worth visiting?

Thanks

Starwood Lurker

ryan754, The Westin Macau has a courtesy shuttle that runs approximately every thirty minutes to and from the ferry terminal between the hours of 7:35 AM and Midnight, seven days a week.

I don't know how much the ferry costs roundtrip, but you could send an email to the hotel asking if they know. Their email address is [email protected].

As for if it's all worth it, the hotel touts itself as being the only six star luxury hotel in Macau. I'm sure if it isn't, someone will be along directly to deflate that image.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

ExMo

Well, if you're not there yet (tonight is relative as it is about 11 AM on 19 Sept in HKG now) my recommendation would be to take the A11 bus (HK$45) to the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal at the Shun Tak Centre. To get the bus walk out of the terminal, down the ramp, buy a ticket at the ticket stand and walk down the queue of buses until you see A11. IIRC the ferry terminal is the first stop the bus makes on HK Island. You might save a little time by taking the airport express train to the Hong Kong Station at Central and the MTR or a taxi to the ferry terminal. It will probably cost you twice as much and I'm betting not save any time due the transfer.

Once at the ferry terminal find the TurboJet counter. The fare varies by class of service and time of day. Economy is HK$130-160; super class adds about HK$100 for which you get a box lunch, nonalcoholic drinks, seating in the front section and priority getting off; nights are more expensive than days.

If you don't want to wait for the Westin shuttle a cab isn't that expensive.

Hope you read this in time to help.

Lurker: There must not be laws against false advertising in Macau. The Westin is OK but more like 4 star. Rooms are a little worn but not bad for a remote Asian property.