Hotels

Most of Macau's hotels are located in the city of Macau on the peninsula, providing convenient access to most of Macau's sights, though Cotai, reclaimed land between Taipa and Colôane, will eventually overtake it as a slew of hotels open over the next few years. For a more relaxed getaway, seek out the resort hotels on Colôane.

Big spenders will have many new options over the next few years in addition to the hotel recommendations here. Muscling in on the action will be a Sheraton, Shangri-La, St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton, among others. In all, the Macau government expects the current 19,600 rooms now available to increase over the next decade by some 40,000 more rooms in more than 40 new hotels. For updated information on the rapidly changing hotel scene, contact the Macau Government Tourist Office.

In addition to the room rates given here (which are the same whether you pay in Hong Kong dollars or in patacas), you will also be charged a 10% hotel service charge and a 5% government tax. Except for some of the moderate and inexpensive hotels, most charge the same price for single or double occupancy. However, as in Hong Kong, the prices given below are rack rates; you should be able to find a better rate, especially in the off season or on the Internet. Weekends are busier than weekdays, not to mention more expensive, as many hotels have higher weekend rates. If you plan on visiting Macau during Chinese New Year, Easter, summer holidays (July-Aug), the two major holidays for mainland Chinese (the so-called Golden Week following May 1 and in autumn for up to 10 days from Oct 1), or Macau's Grand Prix in November, you should book in advance and expect to pay top dollar. Otherwise, you shouldn't have difficulty securing a room even on short notice. (A hotel reservations desk is located in the Macau Ferry Terminal, where you can book rooms for free by paying a deposit toward your room rate).