Checking into The Venetian Macao for Labor Day: My First Luxury Hotel Stay

📍 Macau · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 79 likes

Since mid-April, I'd been mulling over where to go for the Labor Day holiday. In the end, I chose Macau, which was less crowded. Compared to a trip within the mainland, heading to Macau really isn't any trouble at all—you just need to have your visa ready and a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days. Getting there and back is super convenient, and once you arrive, there's no centralized quarantine; you're free to explore right away. This was my first time in Macau, so I planned everything way ahead, terrified something unexpected might happen—like booking my hotel in advance, double-checking all my documents, mapping out sightseeing routes, and so on. Speaking of hotels, accommodation is no small matter. You'll find plenty of famous hotels online, such as the Sands properties: The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Conrad Macao, Sheraton Grand Macao, and The St. Regis Macao, all of which are pretty wonderful. A friend had been raving to me about The Venetian Macao for ages, and after hearing so much, the hotel stuck in my mind. I looked up reviews online and saw the feedback was genuinely positive and fair. Trusting my friend—and my own judgment—I booked this hotel right before the Labor Day holiday. Come along and see for yourself what my Macau trip was like!

The lobby's opulence literally stopped me in my tracks; words like 'gilded' and 'magnificent' don't do justice to its noble aura. The giant golden sphere and the ceiling frescoes held my gaze captive—I couldn't help staring at them every time I walked by. Beyond the sheer luxury, the service at The Venetian Macao was also impeccable. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle buses at all major border crossings to pick up and drop off guests. Upon arrival, the staff helps with your luggage and eagerly recommends fun places to visit and must-try foods in Macau, radiating warmth and hospitality.

We booked a luxurious Bella Suite, which had a very Italian-inspired, fresh yet romantically charming vibe. The furnishings were complete, and the space was clearly divided into a separate living room, dressing room, and bathroom. Since we stayed three consecutive nights, we enjoyed a 30% discount, saving us several hundred yuan. You can book through the hotel's official website or Ctrip; all the promotions are clearly listed.

Don't underestimate The Venetian Macao—there are loads of attractions inside worth checking out, enough to keep you entertained without even stepping outside the hotel. First and foremost is teamLab SuperNature, hailed as one of the top ten must-see exhibition spaces in the world. Macau's teamLab is quite large, with a substantial collection of artworks. The design inside the gallery is incredibly dreamlike and artistic; photos come out with such a mood and ethereal beauty that when I posted them on my social media, everyone flooded the comments section—I got a huge rush of attention, haha.

The gallery has lots of fun interactive projects. One area that left a deep impression on me was the 'Engraving the Void – Plane,' a zone unique to Macau. Taking photos here gives you this incredible feeling, like you're standing in a fractured world.

There's no shortage of distinctive restaurants inside the hotel either—exotic international cuisines you rarely get to try are all within reach here. Let me introduce you to the Golden Peacock Indian Restaurant, an Asian Michelin-starred Indian restaurant. If you want authentic Indian food, this is hands-down the place to go.

The Indian naan bread comes with a rich array of dipping sauces. If you prefer the original flavor, go for the scallion one—it smells so good that this northerner was tempted to roll up a whole scallion in it, haha. The soup duo for two comes in two different flavors, elegantly plated, and the consistency is satisfyingly thick.

We had the Indian-style braised lamb shank with onions. The portion was huge, and the lamb was tender, falling off the bone and packed with flavor. You can choose the spiciness level for this dish; if you can handle heat, go for their regular spicy—it's wonderfully zesty. A vibrant avocado salad stole the spotlight in terms of presentation, delivering a sweet-and-sour taste that was both appetizing and wholesome.

Among the many desserts, I picked the Golden Peacock crisp with cherries. The sweet-tart cherries paired with a creamy fragrance made this a dessert I'll keep craving long after the meal.

To all my shopping-loving sisters out there: staying at The Venetian Macao makes retail therapy incredibly convenient! On the hotel's third floor is the famous indoor waterfront shopping mall—the Grand Canal Shoppes. It connects seamlessly with the Shoppes at Parisian, Four Seasons Shops, and Shoppes at Londoner, home to over 800 brand-name stores, including many duty-free discount shops—you'll never run out of places to explore. Come here and shop to your heart's content.

A single visit to the DFA Duty Free shop can cover your skincare and makeup needs for an entire year, saving you a bundle without you even realizing it.

When we browsed, foot traffic wasn't too heavy, and the store clearly marked the discounted prices of many promotional items, so you can pick and choose with confidence according to your budget. Lots of designated products were down to 50% off, including plenty of big-brand items—truly a chance to snag a bargain! I asked the salesperson when the promotion would end, and she said there was no specific end date. So, friends, what are you waiting for? Hurry over!

All along, I'd wanted to buy some Macau souvenirs, and luckily I ran into a promo at Bee Cheng Hiang: if you purchase regular-priced meat products totaling MOP 300 or more, you get a 10% discount. This souvenir shop is at Shop 304, Mask Street, third floor of the Grand Canal Shoppes. Their newly launched pineapple cakes are absolutely delicious—when I was sampling them, I just couldn't stop grabbing one after another!

The jerky is so fragrant. I love the spicy, original, and soy-sauce flavors equally. I bought a bit of each to take home for my parents to try; I bet they'll love it too.

As Asia's largest indoor water-themed shopping center, the Grand Canal's scenery truly rivals that of Venice itself. The piazza wasn't crowded, so the photos I took have a tranquil feel. The blue sky and white clouds overhead are actually a man-made ceiling mural, a testament to the designer's boundless creativity and an inspiration to behold!

Wandering around, we stumbled upon Lord Stow's Bakery & Café, a famously historic Portuguese egg tart shop in Macau. Their tarts are entirely handmade, with an incredible texture; many people buy them by the boxful.

Apart from egg tarts, the drinks menu is also extensive—coffee, Hong Kong-style milk tea, lemon tea, and the like. Just grab any one of them for a refreshing break.

One box contains six Portuguese egg tarts, making it a better deal than buying them individually. These are the original flavor; they also come in chocolate. The tarts are quite large, with a rich creamy aroma, crispy on the outside and soft inside.

For someone like me who's shopped at countless mainland malls, stepping into Macau and seeing the Italian-inspired Grand Canal Shoppes and the French-themed Shoppes at Parisian was like a wild horse breaking free; I just couldn't stop. The Shoppes at Parisian had many of my favorite brands. To make sure I could check them all out, I even mapped out a route and listed the must-visit stores.

The Pandora jewelry store is brimming with girlish charm; I could easily spend an entire afternoon there customizing my own charm bracelet. The staff were super chatty too, making me feel like I'd found a long-lost friend.

I'm the kind of person who'll do a double-take if I see someone on the street wearing Champion clothing—so you can imagine how much I adore this brand. Summer's here, and their new-season collection has already dropped plenty of fresh styles, delivering that same awesome vibe as always.

Most people coming to Macau to buy luxury goods choose to browse the Four Seasons Shops because there are so many top brands, great prices, and excellent service. When it's busy, you'll see long queues outside stores like Dior, Hermès, and LV, giving you the illusion that everyone else is loaded while all you can do is browse DFS, haha.

Now that I've mentioned DFS, let me show you some of their goodies. First, on pricing, there's a favorable exchange rate, plus the store runs its own promotions, so the final price is way lower than at mainland department store counters. Second, the brand variety and product range are huge—you might even find sold-out hot items here, especially those hard-to-find lipstick shades. Come here, try things on, and you might land something that suits your personality even better!

MARC JACOBS also had a promotion running, with selected items at up to 40% off. Their bags lean casual with vibrant color combinations. You don't always have to stick with the big luxury names; something like these stylish, quality niche bags can turn heads just as well when you carry them.

The brand-new Shoppes at Londoner is such a delight to explore. It's absolutely gorgeous, with its British flair winning hearts left and right. Inside the mall, there are tons of indoor attractions, like the giant teacup, the elevator, the London Explore taxi, and more.

We discovered an insanely good burger joint called Shake Shack, a famous burger brand from New York. I had no idea it had opened in The Londoner Macao—what a treat for our taste buds! The place was packed with people, especially during meal times, so expect a queue and prepare yourself mentally. Oh, and the location: Shop 2200, Level 2, The Londoner Hotel, open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

They offer many burger varieties, including the classic beef burger, smokehouse burger, chicken burger, and 'Shroom burger. We tried the classic beef – super juicy with rich, layered flavors. And the cheese fries at just MOP 39 are a must-order! The cheese sauce is my absolute favorite condiment—savory, creamy, and intense—paired with the crispy crinkle-cut fries, it's downright addictive.

There are quite a few free attractions around The Venetian Macao, and the Taipa Houses–Museum is one of them. Taking advantage of a sunny, breezy day, we walked there. Five low-rise mint-green Portuguese-style houses exude an exotic charm, hidden among lush, shady trees—pure summer vibes.

Here you'll find a bookstore called Wanxiang Gallery Bookstore, a hybrid space combining bookstore, gallery, and art workshop. The ground floor is the bookshop with seats where you can rest; upstairs is for exhibitions and events. Inside, you can enjoy a quiet reading environment, with a decent selection of books that help you unwind and find your inner calm.

For my first trip to Macau, I'm pretty impressed with myself for having this much fun. Every morning when I woke up, I looked forward to the day's itinerary. Ladies, if you're also a Macau newbie, I highly recommend booking a large integrated resort hotel. Inside, you'll have no shortage of food, fun, and shopping, and getting around is super convenient—you can go wherever you want, whenever you want. I've absolutely fallen in love with Macau's malls; the promotions are just endless. For those coming to Macau specifically to shop, remember to keep an eye on the Macau Sands official website. Besides accommodation deals, all kinds of store discount vouchers are also totally worth it.

Travelogue Contents:

1. Staying at The Venetian Macao

2. Food and Shopping

3. Specialty Foodie Stops

4. Shopping ‘Til You Drop at Shoppes at Parisian

5. Assembled Luxury Picks

6. Checking Out Shake Shack

7. Summer Freshness – Taipa Houses–Museum

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