Follow in David Beckham’s Footsteps: Check In at the Elegant Londoner Hotel

📍 Macau · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 49 likes

“I really want to go abroad and shop till I drop!” Seeing my friend’s outburst, a city popped into my head—Macau! During this special period, traveling abroad carries risks, but going to Macau is super easy. For ordinary people, this vibrant city can fully satisfy our shopping cravings and longing for the West. Just think of the Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner Hotel, The St. Regis Macao, and Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel under Sands Macao—the Londoner even just opened this year! These hotels alone let you feel like you’re strolling through Venice’s water city, the fashionable streets of Paris, or the lanes of London.

“Why bother going abroad? Come with me to Macau instead!” I invited my friend while booking a suite at The Londoner Hotel online.

The friend who agreed to travel with me is a Zhuhai local, so she knows Macau much better than I do—basically I got a free guide, score! Let me introduce the hotel we stayed at: The Londoner Hotel, a brand-new British-style hotel co-designed by David Beckham. It’s also one of Macau’s new landmarks. The design is noble and elegant, filled with British touches like Big Ben, a Crystal Palace, and red telephone booths. The moment I stepped into the lobby, I realized an extraordinary journey was beginning!

As a foodie, I must first share a great restaurant—you need energy to explore the hotel and shop! Churchill’s Restaurant is right near the Crystal Palace, offering delicious British fare and refined afternoon tea. Even if the place doesn’t look crowded when you walk in, don’t expect a seat without a reservation.

The restaurant has many open counters where you can watch chefs preparing desserts and dishes right in front of you. The bread and pastry section smells so beautifully of butter and cream that you’ll want to dig in immediately.

The complimentary bread was soft and comforting—perfect for lining your stomach before the mains. It was my first time trying British food, so I was full of anticipation, constantly glancing toward the open kitchen. The service was quick, and soon our empty table was covered with dishes.

Forgive my poor memory—I’ve already forgotten the dish names, but the unique flavors still linger on my palate. Every dish at Churchill’s is artfully presented and stunningly beautiful. Whether meat or vegetarian, each was a taste I’d never experienced before—a true adventure for the taste buds!

The steak had beautiful marbling, cooked to tender perfection, and the vegetables on the side were delightful.

After eating our fill, we went back to the room for a rest. The more I looked at the suite, the more I loved it, so I video-called my parents far away to show them this luxurious room. The Victoria Suite had two beds, all with brand-new pillows and duvets—spotless and fresh. It even had a foot spa and a massage chair! My friend and I played rock-paper-scissors to decide who got to use it first—can you guess who won?

The living room and bathroom were so spacious that even two people felt a bit lost. The noble British-style furniture elevated the whole room’s class—no wonder the hotel is endorsed by David Beckham; it truly has taste. Beckham fans, come check in to your idol’s hotel!

As the hottest new hotel in Macau, The Londoner has countless photo-worthy spots—let me recommend a few. First, the outdoor telephone booths: you can capture the hotel’s architecture and the bustling Cotai Strip, creating perfectly framed shots. The indoor red telephone booths and the Londoner Tube are free photo spots, perfect for sharing on your social media.

The Londoner shopping mall was transformed from the former Sands Cotai Central, switching its previous Southeast Asian jungle theme to a refined British style. The shops are abundant, covering everything from food to clothing to daily necessities. Similar stores are grouped on the same floor—sports brands like Skechers, Adidas, Marathon, and Fila are all together, making shopping super convenient.

Since we’re in Macau, of course we should buy a few big-ticket items. Lukfook Jewellery, which was running a promotion, became our first jewelry store visit. Once inside, we were mesmerized by the exquisite pieces and almost made an impulse purchase. But buying gold jewelry now is really a great deal—selected gold items were up to 25% off. The staff said the promotion was for a limited time, and urged us to tell any friends planning to marry soon. Too bad all my friends are just as hopeless as me—no partners in sight, haha!

For those in their zodiac birth year (benmingnian), their red string collection is tailor-made for you. The dainty ox-shaped charms are super cute, and the gold-red combination is so harmonious—wearing one will make you believe good luck is on the way. The friendly staff brought out some popular pieces for us to try on. Whether necklaces or rings, once I put them on, I felt like they were meant to be mine. If only my wallet would allow, I’d have snatched them all up.

Besides shopping, there’s one must-do on any trip: eating! While hunting for trendy brands at The Londoner mall, we kept our foodie noses alert. We discovered Lady M on the second floor; it wasn’t crowded, so we could enjoy a quiet afternoon tea.

Though I’m reluctant to admit it, I think I’m a sucker for good looks—even when choosing desserts, I pick the pretty ones. In my book, beautiful equals delicious, haha. This red velvet cake had both looks and flavor. The red and white layers, dotted with tiny snowflakes, reminded me of a snowy winter and Christmas.

The coconut mille crêpe and hot French rose fresh milk tea—after one soft, luscious bite of cake, you sip the warm tea, and the mingled fragrances of coconut and rose bloom in your mouth like a bud unfurling into a gorgeous flower!

One perk of staying at a Sands Macau hotel is being able to shuttle between the four shopping districts, rain or shine. Next, let me share The Grand Canal Shoppes—Asia’s largest indoor water-themed shopping mall. The entire mall is modeled after Venice, with three canals, flanked by countless fashion boutiques. Fans of European architecture will feast their eyes, and photography enthusiasts can capture stunning shots. Even a photo amateur like me got images that looked dreamlike and magical.

The Grand Canal Shoppes has many affordable stores, like Marks & Spencer, which is definitely worth a visit. You might have a stereotype about supermarket clothes—overpriced, ugly, and mediocre quality. But let me set the record straight for Marks & Spencer: their clothes lean more toward middle-aged and elderly styles, but they also have nice children’s wear. Our goal certainly wasn’t clothes—we came for their dazzling array of imported snacks.

After eating so many domestic snacks, browsing an imported supermarket felt like discovering a new continent. We filled our basket in no time, and at checkout, the long receipt made us ridiculously happy.

The Grand Canal Shoppes attracts many tourists, and some famous stores even have queues—like DFA duty-free, which gets mobbed during promotions. Not a fan of lines, I opted to check out Aelia Duty Free first to see if they had any deals. They had plenty of products too.

The sales assistants at Aelia were all in formal attire, with beautifully made-up faces that made you want to ask for makeup tips. They were gentle and patient, answering nearly every question. But I still suggest deciding what you really need before entering duty-free shops; otherwise, you’ll want everything and your wallet will suffer.

At the Le Labo fragrance counter, you’re greeted by a rich, intoxicating scent. Choosing a perfume that suits you makes others want to get closer. Being a sweet-smelling beauty lifts your own mood too.

My friend and I mustered up a lot of courage to step into Shoppes at Four Seasons, which gathers luxury brands from around the world with top-notch products and service. The mall is understated, with walls in light tones, giving off a subtle luxurious vibe. Every few steps, I’d spot a brand I couldn’t afford. If my friend hadn’t asked me to accompany her to LV for a handbag, I’d have fled long ago.

Even though I had no plans to buy a bag, the LV salesperson warmly assisted me. Browsing the store, I fell for several styles, but my budget couldn’t handle a splurge—so I guess I need to work harder to earn more this year.

After my friend picked her bag, the assistant let her choose a silk ribbon. She worked her magic, seamlessly incorporating the ribbon into the bag and tying a gorgeous bow. My friend tried it herself, only to discover it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

Simply admiring the luxury brand window displays consumed our whole afternoon. Even though the mannequins are fake, the aura they exude in those designer outfits is truly powerful.

The Parisian shopping mall feels like you’re strolling through the streets of France—every shop, big or small, exudes a romantic Parisian charm. The bright, spacious corridors connect everywhere, with countless stores and big discounts. When we passed Antonia, a select shop, its interior design caught my eye. Unlike romantic, fresh styles, Antonia’s décor went for a modern, techy vibe with a touch of darkness.

The store carried many great brands and hard-to-find sold-out items, with a huge variety. The space was enormous, and the products felt less like merchandise and more like artworks waiting for the right person.

Don’t miss the night view at Place Vendôme, where the artificial sky ceiling puts on a 3D light show.

Macau has deep historical ties with Portugal, so having an authentic Portuguese meal at Chiado seemed the perfect way to wrap up this trip. This restaurant is at Shop 2206 on Level 2 of The Londoner mall, and its unique décor makes it stand out.

Ever since arriving in Macau, I’ve been seeing something different every day—my world feels so much richer. Once seated, the staff poured us tea and helped with menu suggestions. While my friend ordered, I took photos, adding more to my collection to show off, haha.

Almost every Western restaurant gives you complimentary bread—regardless of taste, it’s a nice gesture!

Must-order dishes: 24-hour slow-roasted suckling pig, rich but not greasy, with crispy skin; crispy cream pastries and pan-seared foie gras are also fantastic. And be sure to finish with their dessert—the Chocolate Bomb with salted caramel hazelnut ice cream, which truly delivers a “bomb” of flavor. I’ve said ‘delicious’ enough—come taste for yourself!

My Macau adventure is pretty much shared here. More fun things await you to discover. Don’t just daydream—take action! Grab your besties and go enjoy a youthful, carefree time in Macau!

Travelogue Directory: 1. Eat Well, Improve Every Day 2. Brand New Shopping District 3. Water-themed Shopping Center 4. Shoppes at Four Seasons 5. The Parisian Shopping Centre 6. Chiado Portuguese Restaurant

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