Annual Leave Trip: Macau, You Deserve It!

📍 Macau · 👁 7832 reads · ❤️ 33 likes

Finally, the day for my annual leave arrived! My heart is bursting with joy, every cell in my body is stirred up, wanting nothing but to have wild fun and let my mind and body completely relax. I had heard from friends that Macau has many duty-free shops, perfect for a shopping spree, and the scenery is great too — you can shop and sightsee at the same time. It's ideal for someone like me who loves to buy things! This time I had plenty of time, so I got a nucleic acid test, applied for a visa, and was ready to explore Macau! I searched online for many guides, booked my flights, packed two suitcases, and GO!

At first I wanted to take a taxi to the hotel, but I heard Macau taxis are shockingly expensive. Luckily there were free shuttle buses, and it took less than ten minutes to get there — very fast! Before departure, I booked a hotel. I looked at several options: The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Conrad Macao Cotai Central, Sheraton Grand Macao, and The St. Regis Macao were all on my list. Then a friend told me The Venetian Macao is not only beautiful but also has great service and good value for money. I checked the official website and saw that booking in advance could get a 30% discount. So why hesitate? As a Taurus, being thrifty is in my blood!

As soon as I set foot in Macau, I saw The Venetian Macao staff holding signs and greeting hotel guests to board the free shuttle bus outside — very attentive service! I heard the scenery around The Venetian Macao is also stunning, so the first thing after arriving at the hotel was to check in. I let the thoughtful hotel staff take my luggage to the room, and I couldn't wait to go check out the nearby spots — I couldn't let this wonderful time go to waste! Walking along the river, the hotel seemed to blend perfectly with the surrounding trees and streets. From any angle, it looked like a painting. In particular, the design of The Venetian Macao is quite unique — the smooth Western lines and color combinations complement the natural environment beautifully, without feeling out of place.

The Venetian Macao by the river — doesn't it look magnificent?

The Venetian Macao under a blue sky and white clouds — doesn't it feel like the water city of Venice?

Up close, it looks great too!

If the exterior of the hotel is like a majestic Western castle, then the interior is a resplendent palace hall. The champagne gold tones envelop the entire lobby, making it bold and luxurious. Paired with sparkling crystal chandeliers, the whole lobby becomes even more ostentatious — utterly decadent! Of course, I'm happy to indulge, haha! The colorful murals and uniquely shaped statues throughout the lobby further enhance the Western atmosphere, making you feel like living in The Venetian really is like living in a palace — truly a display of aristocratic taste. I can't help but wonder: how much did it cost to build?

Although I was in high spirits, I was still quite tired. Walking through the corridor that seemed paved with gold, I finally got to embrace my bed. I booked a Deluxe King Room, which continues the Italian artistic style with bright ivory paired with wood tones, blue-grey, and creamy white-gold — elegant yet creating a very peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.

The room was 70 square meters — so spacious that being alone felt almost empty, and this is Macau where land is precious! The king-size bed was perfect for me, since I'm a restless sleeper. The room design was modern, with many paintings of the little city of Venice adding charm. The sitting area, bedroom, and bathroom were separated. The sitting area took up about a third of the room, separated from the sleeping area by a sunken design — staggered and well-organized. A sofa, dining table, and everything else were fully equipped, ready to use as I pleased. It was like an ideal living space where I could be as free as at home — that's the essence of feeling at home.

The luxurious marble bathroom with a large bathtub and shower was clean and bright, photogenic from any angle. The toilet was separated into wet and dry areas, and there was a vanity. The toiletries were also nice, with a pleasant fragrance, and the bathrobe was soft, not rough, fitting well. Overall, it was pretty good.

Now for the highlight — Macau's shopping malls are not only numerous but also have many stores. There are so many duty-free shops that your eyes will be dazzled. You can buy for yourself, or buy skincare, watches, etc. for family and friends — you'll never want to stop. For example, The Venetian Macao's shopping area is connected to four large malls: The Grand Canal Shoppes, Shoppes at Parisian, Sands Plaza, and Four Seasons Shops. Shoppes at Parisian and Sands Plaza each have over 100 stores, while The Grand Canal Shoppes has more than 300 stores — from shoes to skincare, everything you want is there. Four Seasons Shops is a world of luxury goods — browse around and you'll find some 'bargain' big brands, all genuine and value-retaining. Moreover, the artificial sky dome at The Grand Canal Shoppes is incredibly realistic, with stunning scenery. There are also many Venetian-style shops on both sides. Walking through it all really stimulated my spending — there are many luxury brands as well as popular affordable ones. There are also pharmacies, pastry shops, snack shops... it's a shopper's paradise. Occasionally you'll see clown performances or tourists riding gondolas, and the foreign gondoliers sing heartfelt songs!

One of my favorite accessory brands is Pandora. Although it's an affordable brand, the design and craftsmanship feel quite upscale. There are many stores in mainland China too, and because the prices aren't high and it's not jewelry like diamonds, it's everywhere. In Macau, I saw a fairly large Pandora store. The prices were already low, but on top of that, I could get a 10% discount at the mall, and some styles were under 200 MOP — that really opened my eyes. I looked around and saw lots of new items. After the discount and exchange rate, even new rings were over a hundred yuan cheaper than in mainland China — pretty good. I shared this happy news with my girlfriends in our group chat, and they all asked me to buy for them. Before I knew it, I had bought many, many pieces. The best part was that the sales assistant, seeing me try on so many items, was not impatient at all and patiently helped me match necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. for a day — very nice!

There were so many styles in the store — every one looked great. A casual combination cost only about one or two thousand yuan!

I love them, I love them — come home with me!

Hermès, the high-end luxury brand, is a favorite for many girls including me. Especially when the seasonal bags appear, I just fall in love instantly. Belts, scarves, and various accessories are also irresistible. The Hermès store at Four Seasons Shops is not particularly large, but there were many new bag styles, and the service was one-on-one. The bags and accessories were all beautiful, and the exchange rate made them even more attractive. Especially belts and black-gold necklaces — a price difference of one to two thousand yuan between mainland China and Macau is normal. Surprised? Happy? Indeed, Macau is a gathering place for personal shoppers; the price difference is quite nice! More importantly, you don't have to worry about buying counterfeits — everything here is genuine and holds its value, so no fears at all!

First, let's look at the bags — colorful, making life vibrant!

A few pairs of shoes thrown in — all decent styles!

Scarves that you can't give up — you deserve them in every season!

Come on, let's show off!

Bath & Body Works is the most popular bath products brand among American women — good quality and cheap, with a very authentic fragrance. I was drawn into the store by the scent, and indeed it was crowded. This brand is also an internet-famous brand. There is no store in Hong Kong, and only one in Macau. The key point is the price — very affordable. Many products are buy-one-get-one-free or buy-two-get-one-free. The prices are lovely: two bottles of body wash plus hand soap were only 138 MOP — more cost-effective than I imagined. I almost forgot to mention — their bath products are very comprehensive, with many different scents of body wash. After washing, my skin really feels smooth, and the scent is not overpowering. After using them for a month or two, my skin actually improved. The hand soap is an antibacterial type — a must-have at home!

Highly recommended! Super useful — you can keep a bottle in the office too!

Here are some examples of their effectiveness — you can do it too!

Superdry Sport is a sportswear brand that combines British street culture with trendy elements. It's casual but fashionable, with bold colors and very comfortable fabric — breathable in summer and warm in winter. The prices are not too high, and during sales, it's cheaper than cabbages. Recently in Macau, I saw they were having a promotion: 20% off for three items, 25% off for four items. After exchange rate, a top and pants together were about two to three hundred yuan cheaper than in mainland China — quite a good deal.

The store had a lot of clothes — you can try many and find that no matter how you match, it will look stylish!

Ilha Verde Portuguese Restaurant is a restaurant in The Venetian Macao shopping area, a popular check-in spot. The atmosphere is elegant — eating in the square is really classy, and with the artificial sky dome above, it's quite romantic. The Portuguese cuisine was authentic. The seafood and salad were truly memorable, and the prices were not too high for a restaurant of its kind. Enjoying the view while eating Portuguese food — the experience was fantastic. I highly recommend coming here at least once!

Macau Lady Fried Rice is worth recommending — it has fish roe, shrimp, and green peppers. The rice was fragrant, and the shrimp was tender — delicious.

Cream Brûlée — a solid texture, a bit unique.

Fried chicken and fries — the chicken was fried well. I think it would be even better with a bit of cumin!

Portuguese Chicken — the name itself is distinctive. It's similar to curry chicken — the chicken was flavorful, and the curry taste was authentic.

Fisherman's Seafood Soup — the soup was fresh, giving the feeling of eating by the sea.

Steak is a must-order — the meat was really tender, with an enticing beef flavor. Paired with black pepper sauce, it was simply heavenly.

Days of eating, drinking, shopping, and having fun always pass quickly. Before I knew it, the holiday was ending. I came empty-handed and returned fully loaded — my wishes came true. Most importantly, I bought my favorite big brands and many practical items at great prices — this is even better than a pie falling from the sky. But if there's a next time, I'll definitely extend my stay longer to leave enough time to visit the beautiful Ruins of St. Paul's and leave my mark on the retro streets — that would be absolutely perfect!

Travelogue Contents:

1. Unveiling the Highly Praised The Venetian Macao

2. Exploring Macau's Massive Shopping Centers

3. Pandora

4. Hermès

5. Bath & Body Works

6. Superdry Sport

7. Ilha Verde Portuguese Restaurant

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