> > by Rhonda Bannister
Located just 60 km or an hour’s Turbo Jetfoil ride away from Hong Kong, Macau has long been the favourite recreational haunt of expats living in Hong Kong as it offers a slower-paced respite from the frenetic streets of that vertical megacity. It’s also a popular destination for travellers visiting Hong Kong or China, (it is located around 150 km from the popular tourist city of Guangzhou) because of its Portugese heritage which is still so much a part of the lifestyle here.
Opened just a few months ago in a great position on the Napa waterfront and close to many ofMacau’s unique attractions, the Mandarin Oriental, Macau offers guests an exclusive and exceptional home away from home.
THE ROOMS
Our room was exquisitely decorated and had a large, oh so comfortable, king-sized bed dressed in the finest linens; automatic opening/closing drapes, a personal coffee machine, wireless internet and chocolates and fruit bowl replenished every day. A desk with ample electrical connections and two armchairs strategically placed to take in the fabulous view through a wall of glass completed the bedroom. The bathroom was straight out of the pages of a design magazine with double shower and sinks and a large, sink-into bathtub which we took full advantage of, enjoying a glass of wine along with the soak and the glittering view of Macau Tower. Quite a surprise was a lovely little gift left for us at nightly turndown ... very thoughtful.
TASTE TEMPTATIONS
Vida Rica Restaurant’s spectacular decor and setting is only surpassed by the exotic and flavoursome cuisine prepared by Chef Dirk Haltenhof and his talented team. We enjoyed a special Chef ’s Table evening along with several other guests where we were taken through the steps of preparing the exotic and sometimes rare ingredients which made up our four course dining experience - a rare treat indeed. Drinks and tapas are served in the equally spectacular Vida Rica Bar which occupies the other half of level two and enjoys spectacular sunsets over Nam Van Lake – open from 5pm Monday to Friday and from 12pm on weekends. The dramatic decor was designed by a Japanese interior design team and it’s just divine! It’s the sort of place you feel so comfortable in you just don’t want to leave.
VENTURING OUT
Macau has so much to offer besides casinos, especially if you time your visit to coincide with one of their many festivals but if you want to see a mini Las Vegas, head to the Cotai Strip which is where most of the glitzy, glamorous casinos such as City of Dreams and the Venetian are to be found. You’re also right next door to the MGM and Wynn Casinos plus the hotel is connected to a super-duper mall which has storefronts for just about every brand label you can think of. Just along the road from the hotel you’ll find a variety of small, local restaurants, cafes and bars.
COUPLES WILL LOVE
A couples spa treatment which starts with a foot bath, moves through to a body scrub, onto a body massage and culminates in a simultaneous head and foot massage. Do this in the evening so you can retreat straight to your room to share a bottle of champagne and chocolates and whatever else takes your fancy ... oh the romance!
GETTING THERE
Cathay Pacific has almost 80 flights each week (between Australian mainland capitals and Hong Kong). They include four a day from Sydney and three from Melbourne. Most flights connect to the Turbo Jetfoil service (www.turbojet.com.hk) to Macau at Hong Kong Airport’s Sky Pier. It offers convenient through-check baggage service in each direction. Special fares are often available at Cathay Pacific - see your travel agent or visit www.cathaypacific.com.au