THE BEST PALACE HOTELS, HOTEL-CASINOS & BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN MACAU
(PR CHINA) 2026

THE VENETIAN MACAO RESORT (*****L):  Ensconced in the vibrant heart of Cotai, The Venetian Macao Resort remains one of Macau's most spectacular hotel resorts, an extraordinary homage to Venetian grandeur interwoven with the electrifying atmosphere of a modern Asian entertainment capital. Its architecture, with its canals, bridges, piazzas and monumental interiors, evokes the romance of Venice on a truly colossal scale.

The resort is particularly impressive for the sheer breadth of its facilities. The hotel offers 3,000 suites, all measuring more than 70 square metres, while the Grand Canal Shoppes bring together around 350 luxury shopping choices. Dining ranges from casual international restaurants to Michelin-starred establishments, and the resort also offers extensive entertainment, conventions, exhibitions and live performances.

A gondola ride beneath the painted Venetian skies remains one of the resort's signature experiences. It is unabashedly theatrical, yet this is precisely the attraction: The Venetian is not intended to imitate a small Italian palazzo, but to recreate an entire fantasy city on an immense scale.

For travellers who appreciate large integrated resorts, the combination of shopping, restaurants, entertainment and spacious suites makes The Venetian Macao one of the defining hotel experiences of Cotai.

GRAND HYATT MACAU (*****L):  Situated in the heart of Cotai within City of Dreams, Grand Hyatt Macau offers a very different interpretation of luxury from the monumental casino resorts surrounding it. The atmosphere is contemporary, elegant and distinctly international, with the hotel particularly well suited to both business travellers and visitors looking for a sophisticated base from which to explore Macau.

The hotel has 791 rooms and suites in its Grand Tower and Grand Club Tower, with extensive views over Cotai. The interiors combine contemporary design with generous proportions, large windows and the practical technology expected of a modern five-star property.

Its restaurants provide a broad choice of international and Chinese cuisine, while the Lobby Lounge remains an attractive place for afternoon tea or an evening drink. The hotel also benefits from extensive meeting and convention facilities, making it particularly convenient for business travellers.

Leisure facilities include a 40-metre temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool, fitness facilities and spa services. Its location within City of Dreams gives guests immediate access to entertainment, shopping, restaurants and the wider Cotai resort complex.

MGM MACAU (*****L):  Poised on the Macau waterfront, MGM MACAU combines contemporary architecture, art and luxury hospitality in a setting that is considerably more sophisticated than the traditional image of a casino resort. Its glass façade reflects the changing colours of the South China Sea, while the European-inspired Grande Praça creates a remarkable interior world beneath its dramatic glass dome.

The Grande Praça is one of the hotel's most distinctive features, with restaurants, boutiques and changing art displays arranged around a Portuguese-inspired public space. The hotel now offers approximately 590 rooms, with accommodation ranging from Grand Rooms and Ocean View Rooms to spacious Grand Suites.

The rooms are contemporary and elegant, with marble bathrooms, generous living areas and views either towards the South China Sea or the Macau cityscape. The Grand Studio, for example, offers 54 to 66 square metres and panoramic ocean or city views, while the Grand Suite is approximately 150 square metres and includes a separate living room and kitchenette.

MGM's artistic dimension is particularly notable. The POLY MGM MUSEUM presents major cultural exhibitions, while the hotel's extensive collection of contemporary and Chinese art gives the public areas the atmosphere of a private museum.

TRIA provides a full luxury spa and wellness experience, complemented by a modern fitness centre and an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the South China Sea. The casino remains an important part of the resort, but MGM MACAU can equally be enjoyed as a hotel, dining, art and wellness destination without gambling.

GRAND LISBOA (*****L):  Words falter when tasked with capturing the essence of this extraordinary edifice. Colossal, extravagant, opulent and imbued with an almost unrestrained Epicurean spirit, the Grand Lisboa remains one of Macau's most recognisable landmarks and one of the most spectacular hotel-casino buildings in Asia.

Its unmistakable lotus-inspired silhouette, designed by architect Dennis Lau, dominates the Macau skyline. Yet the true experience begins inside, where the palatial lobby combines art, precious objects and an almost old-world sense of ceremony. The famous "Star of Stanley Ho", a 218.08-carat D-colour diamond, forms part of the hotel's extraordinary collection.

The 430 rooms and suites are surprisingly warm and sensual rather than merely ostentatious. Rich wood, polished surfaces, dramatic lighting and generous beds create a luxurious atmosphere, while many bathrooms feature Jacuzzis and private steam rooms. Technology is discreetly integrated throughout the rooms, with large televisions, Wi-Fi and extensive in-room amenities.

The Grand Lisboa is also inseparable from Macau's gastronomic history. Its restaurants, together with those of the Lisboa, have long formed one of the most important culinary concentrations in the city. The legendary Robuchon au Dôme remains one of Macau's great gastronomic destinations, while the hotel's celebrated Grand Buffet continues to offer an immense choice of international specialities.

A Clarins spa and swimming pool complete the facilities. The Grand Lisboa is therefore not simply a casino hotel: it is a flamboyant expression of the particular luxury culture that developed in Macau under Stanley Ho.

LISBOA (*****L):  Affectionately known as "the old Lisboa" by many locals, Hotel Lisboa was inaugurated in 1970 by Dr Stanley Ho and has become one of the defining institutions of Macau. Its retro-pop architecture, recalling the golden age of Las Vegas, has lost none of its fascination.

The immaculate lobby remains particularly impressive, with chandeliers, mosaics, polished marble and an extraordinary collection of art. Despite its history, the hotel has continued to refurbish its accommodation, combining its unmistakable heritage with contemporary comforts.

The hotel offers a wide range of rooms and suites, including Royal Tower Rooms, Royal Suites and larger multi-bedroom suites. Many enjoy views of Macau and the South China Sea. Bathrooms and guest facilities have also been modernised, while the hotel's extensive dining programme remains an important part of the Lisboa experience.

Hotel Lisboa is currently undergoing renovation work in parts of its East Wing, and the hotel has announced that the Tower will be fully closed in October 2026. Guests should therefore check the hotel's latest information when planning a stay during this period.

Despite the arrival of huge contemporary resorts in Cotai, the Lisboa remains a landmark of Macau's casino history and one of the hotels that best expresses the city's extraordinary mixture of Portuguese heritage, Chinese culture and gaming.

POUSADA DE SÃO TIAGO (****L):  A historic gem, Pousada de São Tiago occupies the former São Tiago da Barra Fortress, originally built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century. Converted into a hotel in 1981, it remains one of Macau's most romantic and characterful addresses, overlooking the Inner Harbour and Sai Van Lake.

The atmosphere could hardly be further removed from the vast casino resorts of Cotai. Portuguese arches, old walls, tunnels, terraces and the Chapel of St James create a genuine sense of history, while the intimate scale gives the hotel an almost private-house atmosphere.

The hotel has just 12 suites, each with a balcony and views towards the Inner Harbour and Pearl River Delta. Spacious accommodation combines traditional Portuguese architectural details with modern amenities, including large bathrooms, steam facilities, Jacuzzis, complimentary Wi-Fi and minibar facilities.

The hotel's dining and terrace areas are particularly attractive in the evening, when the elevated position brings cooler breezes and panoramic views over Macau. The historic chapel also remains a memorable setting for weddings and celebrations.

The hotel currently states that its outdoor swimming pool is temporarily closed for cleaning. The closure should therefore be checked directly with the hotel before arrival.

BELIVE & MORE (***):  In the heart of Macau's historic Peninsula, Belive & More offers a refreshingly different approach to accommodation, combining heritage architecture with a contemporary boutique concept. We spent three delightful days here in this revitalised early twentieth-century Chinese tenement at 44-54 Rua do Almirante Sérgio.

The location is excellent for discovering historic Macau. A-Ma Temple, Mandarin's House and St Lawrence's Church are close by, while the Ruins of St Paul's and Senado Square are easily reached. A nearby bus stop also makes exploration of the Peninsula particularly convenient.

The hotel has 55 guest rooms, many featuring the characteristic Paikow-patterned walls. The rooms are compact but carefully designed, with comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, smart televisions and minibars. Locally produced Macao Soap toiletries add a pleasant sense of place.

The multilingual staff are friendly and helpful, particularly when arranging taxis or giving advice about exploring the city. There is no on-site restaurant, but numerous local restaurants are within easy walking distance. The property also does not offer a swimming pool or spa.

This is precisely why we would describe Belive & More as a genuine boutique address rather than a conventional luxury hotel. Its character, heritage setting and central location make it an attractive alternative for travellers who want to experience a less casino-dominated side of Macau.

One point deserves attention: the security deposit. The amount was only MOP 500 during our May 2025 stay, but it was charged to the credit card rather than simply being held. Refunds can take considerably longer than a conventional pre-authorisation. We therefore recommend paying the deposit in cash if this option is still available at check-in.