My memories of Macau begin with the Grand Lisboa

"Do you know that Macau is not my real surname? I have left you for too long, mother..." I vaguely recall that my childhood impression of Macau began with this song. Then, a series of Macau gambling hero movies accompanied us as we grew up. Later, a Hong Kong TV series "Moonlight in Macau" (October 5th Moonlight) allowed more people to deeply understand and step into Macau.

What is your first impression of Macau? Is it a freshly baked Portuguese egg tart? The crowded Ruins of St. Paul's? A pork chop bun with thick layers of pork? Or... my first trip to Macau began with such an iconic golden lotus tower—the Grand Lisboa Hotel.

Over a decade has passed, and more and more magnificent resort hotels have emerged in Macau. But the status of the Grand Lisboa has never been shaken. It is not only one of the most iconic buildings in Macau but also a landmark for many visitors on the Macau Peninsula. If you get lost in the old town, find the Grand Lisboa, and you'll find your way back.

Since September 23, applications for Macau endorsements have resumed nationwide. Have you all started planning your long-awaited Macau trip? Let's begin our revisit to Macau with the Grand Lisboa Hotel!

The Grand Lisboa Macau stands 258 meters tall, featuring a top-wide, bottom-narrow architectural design shaped like a golden lotus, symbolizing "rebirth." Even before stepping through the hotel's entrance, the sight of this magnificent building and its glittering glass windows already exudes a sense of luxury.

Entering the lobby, large crystal chandeliers and artworks are displayed, making you feel as if you've stepped into an art museum. A closer look at two gemstones at the entrance: one is the "Star of Stanley Ho," shaped like a pillow symbolizing "peace of mind"; the other is an emerald, symbolizing "gathering the power of ethereal time."

Due to the epidemic, the hotel has implemented strict prevention measures. Upon entering the guest lobby area, you must scan and show the Macau Health Code before entering. Hand sanitizers and disinfectants are provided free of charge in elevators, restaurants, guest rooms, and other public areas, ensuring a comfortable environment for your vacation.

The guest rooms are adorned with various bling-bling crystal lamps and art decorations, making every guest feel noble. That's not all; the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms are perfect for brewing a cup of coffee in the afternoon and quietly enjoying a leisurely time.

The bathroom is full of surprises, with a bathtub that even has a massage pool function. The only word to describe it is "grand." Moreover, the shower room is equipped with a steam function. After a day of shopping in Macau, returning to the room to enjoy a private steam bath quickly eliminates the day's hustle and bustle.

For a long time, one of the proudest aspects of the Grand Lisboa Hotel has been its two Michelin three-star restaurants: Robuchon au Dôme and The Eight. Since the release of the Hong Kong and Macau Michelin Guide, Robuchon au Dôme has been awarded three Michelin stars for 12 consecutive years, truly a must-visit restaurant in a lifetime.

Dining at such a distinguished restaurant requires careful dressing to fully enjoy the respect and ritual. Many Michelin restaurants have dress code requirements: shorts, sleeveless shirts, slippers, etc., are prohibited. Put on a decent dress or suit, style your hair, and set off...

Speaking of this restaurant, what has made countless food lovers drool is undoubtedly the iconic caviar and king crab tartlet with seafood jelly, as beautiful as a precious artwork. The combination of roasted beef tenderloin and duck liver is perfectly balanced, and every bite leaves a lasting memory for a whole year.

The restaurant's environment, service, quality, and location can all be described as "perfect." With a 360-degree panoramic view of central Macau, the piano, crystal chandeliers, and wall decorations are all Instagrammable spots. And the 3-4 rounds of desserts after the meal will leave you so full you'll need to hold the wall to walk out.

Another representative restaurant of the hotel is The Eight, whose name symbolizes good fortune. In 2009, the first edition of the Hong Kong and Macau Michelin Guide awarded it one star; then by 2011, it had received two stars for three consecutive years; and from 2014 onwards, The Eight has become the only Chinese restaurant in Macau to be awarded three Michelin stars for seven consecutive years.

From one star to three stars, we can see the growth of The Eight. Starting from the people of Macau, it has gradually earned a place in the hearts of guests from all over the country and the world. Although it is now an international top-tier restaurant, it still maintains relatively affordable lunch prices so that ordinary citizens can afford it.

I have always regarded the restaurant's soul and executive chef, Chef Xie, as a male idol. Having worked as a chef for 50 years, he still goes to the market every day to find the best seasonal ingredients, searches online for the latest culinary trends, and constantly exchanges and competes with colleagues and peers... "Never stop" has been his consistent principle since entering this industry.

This time, the appetizers included honey-glazed black pork char siu, pan-seared Australian scallops, and crab with Italian organic baby tomatoes—a delightful combination. This dish, named Golden Garlic and Jade Star Grouper, looks tender and appetizing, with the essence lying in the sauce pairing.

The chef first grinds fermented black beans into very small particles, then adds garlic, sugar, dried tangerine peel, etc., stir-fries them until dry, giving the simple black beans a crispy texture. Eaten together with the fish, you can taste the tenderness of the meat and enjoy different textures and layers—very interesting.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of The Eight. Many delicious dishes skillfully combine tradition with seasonality, and classic with innovation, offering every diner an unparalleled experience.

The Grand Lisboa, home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, also boasts many popular restaurants loved by the general public, worth a special visit.

The Coffee Shop (Day and Night Coffee Shop) is a casual restaurant with a local vibe. If you get the chance, be sure to order a hot croissant. It's large in size, with a crispy crust and soft interior. Pair it with a local Macau street-stall milk tea, and the whole afternoon becomes perfect.

I also had the chance to learn how to make a local Macau favorite—serradura (sawdust pudding) with the chef. The process was fun and easy, giving deeper insight into Macau's local cuisine. After making it, remember not to sneak a bite—put it in the fridge to chill, and trust me, the experience will be even better.

The Noodle Zone beside the Coffee Shop is the only 24-hour restaurant in the hotel. Its signature water crab congee is a must. After a late-night shopping spree, you can recharge here anytime. Dim sum, home-style dishes, sweet soups, desserts, noodles, and kung fu tea are also recommended.

Look at this generous mixed fruit ice drink—does it bring back a familiar feeling? I remember one of my favorite childhood things was to go to an ice room in summer and have a cold mixed fruit ice drink. I never thought I'd find such a nostalgic drink in a hotel.

And that's not all. We often eat pizza, but who knows the hard work behind its making? This time, I had the chance to visit Don Alfonso 1890 Italian Restaurant, where the chef taught us step by step to make an authentic Italian pizza. Seeing my own creation succeed made today's pizza taste especially delicious.

The Grand Lisboa Spa, which has received the Forbes Five-Star Spa award for many consecutive years, is also an important part of a relaxing visit to the Grand Lisboa. With meticulous techniques, pure aromatherapy oils, and advanced facilities, a royal massage SPA experience begins here.

After the SPA, don't forget to visit my friend Rick for a hairstyle. The hair salon next to the spa has integrated professional leather barber chairs. Guests can just sit comfortably and get their hair washed, cut, and styled, enjoying the sense of nobility in hair styling.

After refreshing yourself, don't miss the stage bar on the first floor to watch a spectacular Parisian Can-Can dance show. This dance troupe, combining art and sensuality, has over 40 years of performance experience in Macau. Various dances—swing, Indian, can-can—are so captivating that you can't tear yourself away...

Many people choose the Grand Lisboa as their first stop when traveling to Macau. Geographically, it is located in the core area of the Macau Peninsula, convenient for visiting major attractions. You can walk to Ruins of St. Paul's, New Road, Senate Square, St. Dominic's Church, and other key sites.

Secondly, directly opposite the hotel's main entrance is the important transport hub—Alameda Drive. Whether you want to go to the Macau Peninsula, Taipa, Coloane, or the border gates and ferry terminals, there are buses available, making it very popular.

Currently, Macau endorsements have been reopened nationwide, but you need to make an appointment at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to apply; machine self-service is temporarily unavailable. It is generally recommended to allow at least 7 working days for the endorsement process before your trip. Some areas may require about a week for appointment slots, so consider choosing less busy districts to apply.

For travel to Macau, besides a valid Macau endorsement on your Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau, you also need a negative nucleic acid test (NAT) report from a designated hospital to enter the Macau Special Administrative Region. The test is fast and convenient, so don't worry about trouble. It is recommended to take the test 2 days before departure, as the result is only valid for 7 days—don't do it too early.

The day after the test, the Guangdong-based health code (Yuekang Code) will automatically link to the NAT result. For non-Guangdong residents, you need to go to the hospital to print and stamp the negative report. When entering Macau, show it along with the Macau Health Code, and you will be exempted from 14-day quarantine.

After passing through customs, you will find the Grand Lisboa's "prosperity bus"—free shuttle service to the hotel. For more questions about traveling to Macau, feel free to leave a message in the comments.