A Running Account of a Macau Trip
Macau, I have visited it several times before. Seeing so many dazzling star-rated hotels, being frugal, I never dreamed of staying overnight. Each time I entered early and left late, bustling about, only eating and shopping around the Venetian Macao, without time to experience the local life of Macau.
Recently, I learned that by following the official public account 'Macau Heart Start' (澳門心出發) hosted by the Macau government, you can participate in the weekly draw for 50% off hotel coupons every Wednesday and Sunday. I immediately followed and booked the draw, and on December 3rd I got a 50% off coupon. Due to the recent pandemic, I had planned not to travel again, but in hesitation I checked Macau hotel prices on Ctrip and was pleasantly surprised to see that the room rates at various five-star hotels were really dirt cheap. The temptation was too strong to resist, so I decided to go to Macau right away, and I also decided that this trip to Macau would only stay in five-star hotels (pretending to be rich). At the same time, I had my family members who were traveling with me also follow the public account and participate in the draw (because each 50% off coupon can only offset a maximum of 500 yuan). All four of us were lucky to get coupons, so we decided to spend Christmas in Macau. Then we started making plans: booking flights and hotels on Ctrip. When using the 50% off coupon to book a hotel, clicking 'Use Now' only allows booking the room types specified below: rooms with 50% off. Based on my observations, the room types and prices change daily. So I kept an eye on them and booked promptly. I also learned about the Macau government's requirements for entry and exit: as long as you are not from a risk area and bring a nucleic acid test report within 7 days, you don't need to quarantine. Remember to calculate the time so that you return to the mainland within 7 days; otherwise, if it exceeds 7 days, you'll need to take another nucleic acid test in Macau before returning. For the nucleic acid test before going to Macau, it's best to do it at a local tertiary hospital. There is also a testing point at Gongbei Port in Zhuhai, but the results take 12 to 24 hours.
After repeatedly comparing and evaluating hotel reviews, while also ensuring not to exceed the 7-day validity of the nucleic acid test, I planned to stay in Macau for four nights. Because I personally like hotels with a sense of history, I chose two older hotels with good value for money. The first two nights were at the Sheraton Taipa, which has highly rated buffet breakfasts, so I booked a twin room with breakfast for two nights at 867 yuan. The other two nights were at the old Hotel Lisboa on Macau Peninsula. Due to the pandemic, the breakfast at Hotel Lisboa is not a buffet but a set meal, so I booked a twin room without breakfast for two nights at 486 yuan. Key point: using the 50% off coupon to book hotels around a thousand yuan is the most cost-effective.
On the afternoon of December 20th, we had our nucleic acid tests done at the local tertiary hospital. On the evening of the 21st, we flew to Zhuhai, and on the morning of the 22nd, we entered Macau through Gongbei Port. There were not as few tourists as rumored; we queued to scan codes for declaration and entered smoothly. After arriving in Macau, we took the free shuttle bus from the Sheraton Hotel and arrived quickly. The hotel allowed us to check in early. The hotel's swimming pool and gym are on the fourth floor. Although the pool is outdoors, the water temperature is constant at over 30 degrees Celsius, so we didn't feel cold while swimming. The pool became our exclusive venue for the whole afternoon. Perhaps visitors to Macau come for shopping and making money, but only we came for vacation.
The Sheraton Hotel, the Venetian, and the Parisian Macao, along with other surrounding hotels, are interconnected, making it convenient for guests of these hotels to shop and play without leaving the hotel. However, there is a downside: every time I entered the interconnected shopping mall, it felt like a maze, and even I, who consider myself good with directions, couldn't find my way. In the afternoon, we walked from the hotel to Rua do Cunha for food and shopping. The narrow streets and low-rise buildings near Rua do Cunha contrast sharply with the luxurious hotels. Although the star-rated hotels are full of splendor, they cannot compare to the local atmosphere here, which makes one feel more grounded and peaceful.
On Christmas Eve, December 24th, the breakfast at the Sheraton was exceptionally abundant. After enjoying the breakfast, we checked out and went to check in at the old Hotel Lisboa on the Macau Peninsula. Hotel Lisboa has a great location, convenient for shopping and sightseeing, and is close to New Yaohan, the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, etc. On Christmas Eve, Senado Square had lively Christmas celebrations. Having nothing else to do, we also strolled through the old streets near Hotel Lisboa. Many night market stalls had long queues, and the Kang Gong Night Market, which only opens on weekends, was also very lively. At the end of the old street, we saw the old Lee Kum Kee shop. I remembered that when we first arrived in Macau and went to Rua do Cunha to eat pork chop buns, we noticed that the bottles of Lee Kum Kee soy sauce placed in the restaurant were clearly labeled 'No Preservatives.' The boss, seeing our surprised expressions, said matter-of-factly, 'Adding preservatives is illegal in Macau.' A friend from Zhuhai also told us that residents of Zhuhai go to Macau to buy daily necessities, while Macau residents come to Zhuhai to buy vegetables, eggs, and meat. I envy the people on both sides.
Due to the pandemic, the breakfast at Hotel Lisboa is not a buffet but a set meal, so I didn't book breakfast. I booked a buffet lunch at the Macau Tower 360° Revolving Restaurant on Christmas Day, December 25th, for the 11:30 session. The meal cost included the Macau Tower observation ticket. The restaurant is on the 60th floor, and it revolves 360 degrees every 1.5 hours, allowing us to enjoy the panoramic view of Macau while dining. The buffet food was also abundant, especially the desserts, which looked and tasted great. After lunch, we first went to the 58th floor to watch daring young people walking on the narrow outer ledge of the tower, and then to the 61st floor to watch even braver young people bungee jumping—it was thrilling. On the 26th at noon, I booked a buffet at the Metropark Hotel, not far from Hotel Lisboa. At 60.9 yuan per person, it was very affordable in Macau, and most of the diners were locals. In general, for overseas travel, I personally feel that buffet is the most economical: you can taste a variety of local specialties in one meal at a relatively low price.
Worried about the pandemic recurring, I was quite anxious when I decided to go to Macau. But after arriving, I saw that Macau's epidemic prevention work was excellent. Every shuttle bus at the major hotels was disinfected before picking up passengers. Masks were required in all public places, and body temperatures were checked when entering any venue. When we went to get food at the buffet, we were also required to wear masks. Exiting Macau at the end of the trip was also very smooth.
In summary, going to Macau now is a great value—truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Shopping in Macau can mostly be done using WeChat Pay or Alipay. We didn't exchange for Macau patacas this time, nor did we buy phone cards, as free WiFi is available everywhere in Macau. Some major hotels between Taipa and Macau Island (such as Wynn Macau) also offer free shuttle buses. My family members all said we should visit Wynn Palace next time if we have the chance—the hotel's splendor is truly blinding. I look forward to Hong Kong's pandemic ending and similar preferential policies to Macau's.
Due to my poor writing skills, I can only record my Macau trip in a running account, hoping it can help friends who plan to visit Macau soon.
