Macau Family Vacation: A Three-Day Two-Night Staycation, Immersing in Macau-Portuguese Charm at the Hotel

We had been talking for a long time about taking Hebao Dan back to Macau for a few days, and finally arranged it! This time we specifically chose a niche resort on Macau Peninsula – Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, a hidden gem I discovered during my years studying in Macau. Located in the bustling city center, near landmarks like the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Macau Museum of Art, this hotel is a local Macau brand. Every detail of its art, culture, cuisine, and architecture showcases Macau’s unique UNESCO World Heritage charm. Not only former Macau students like me, but even many local Macau friends choose to staycation here. The hotel offers various family-friendly packages, such as museum-themed stays and亲子 spa packages, ensuring everyone finds joy in the vacation!

This trip to Macau spanned three days and two nights. Since we had two-year-old Hebao Dan with us, we kept a relaxed pace: hanging out at the hotel, joining kid-friendly activities, swimming, enjoying good food, and soaking in Macau’s unparalleled heritage vibe.

Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau is a landmark hotel rich in history. If you come to Macau and want to experience the unique Sino-Portuguese氛围, this is the place.

From the moment you step into the lobby, you’ll feel the distinctive character. The most eye-catching feature is the exquisite replica of the “Window of Tomar” on the wall of the stair landing.

The original artifact, carved from stone in 1510, is housed in the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal, symbolizing the heroism of Age of Discovery navigators. This replica, crafted by the renowned Lisbon art team Fundação Ricardo Espirito Santo, measures about one-third of the original – 4 meters high, 2 meters wide, and weighing approximately 400 kilograms – truly awe-inspiring! Reportedly, it took the art team 3,650 hours to carve, making it worth a close look. Throughout the hotel, you’ll find artworks themed “Happy Macau People” by local Macau artist Mario. This series of intricate, finely crafted art pieces was custom-designed for the hotel, depicting Macau’s vibrant cross-cultural landscape. You’ll discover them unexpectedly in various spots.

These unique paintings also caught Hebao Dan’s attention; every time we passed, she would tug at me and ask for the stories behind them. Chinese and Western historical anecdotes, Macau local tales – all are presented in these artworks. Not just children, but adults too should pause and appreciate them slowly.

For our family trip, we specially booked a two-bedroom suite, which is quite spacious – very roomy for Macau Peninsula. The living room is great for chatting and playing together, while the two separate bedrooms offer good rest.

I especially love the terrace – a rare feature in Macau hotels. Morning sunlight pours into the living room, making it so pleasant. We ordered breakfast in the room, and after eating, we could start a wonderful day.

During our two-night stay, every evening we returned to a thoughtful turndown service.

The “Happy Macau People” artwork also hangs in the room. Little Hebao Dan loved it; she’d look at it carefully before bed and make me tell her stories for a long time before she’d fall asleep.

On the second morning, we arranged a poolside picnic as breakfast. The picnic basket contained prepared food and utensils. We had that for breakfast, then jumped straight into the pool – so comfortable!

The pool is outdoor and heated, suitable for all seasons.

Notably, there’s a water slide here – a shared childhood memory for many Macau locals. Many Macau friends said they’ve been swimming here since childhood and playing on the slide. It was Hebao Dan’s first time; she was quite brave at first, saying she wasn’t scared. But when she slid down and got water on her face, she whimpered and said she’d come back when she’s older. Next to it is a small children’s pool, perfect for kids to splash around. They’ve thoughtfully placed large umbrellas, so even midday play isn’t too sunny.

Artyzen Grand Lapa has an excellent kids’ club, with both indoor and outdoor areas. Among all the hotels I’ve visited, this kids’ play area feels most like “home.” The variety of toys is immense, neatly filling the entire space, making you feel as relaxed as at home.

Different classes are held daily. You can book in advance and bring your children. We happened to catch an apron painting class. The foreign teacher patiently taught the kids how to choose colors and materials to decorate their aprons. This was Hebao Dan’s first time doing a craft under a foreign teacher’s guidance – unexpectedly rewarding. She suddenly learned many English words and even told me she wanted to study English more. That was an unexpected surprise.

Another special feature is that kids can be “checked in” here. If a child is older and can communicate fluently, parents can leave them at the club, go swimming or shopping, and pick them up later. That way, adults can also enjoy a moment of “peaceful” vacation, haha.

On the second floor of the main building is Café Hui Jing Ge, a Portuguese-style coffee room and a must-visit spot in the hotel. The arched doorways with ample light, Portuguese mosaic floors, slowly rotating ceiling fans, and white rattan chairs – every detail exudes Portuguese charm.

On an afternoon with no particular plans, enjoy a delightful afternoon tea here.

At the entrance is the famous bakery, where many Macau locals come specially to buy cakes or bread to take home.

They also serve authentic Macau dishes and Portuguese cuisine, immersing you in the historical and cultural atmosphere of Portugal.

At Artyzen Grand Lapa, don’t miss Lam Thai Restaurant, a Michelin Plate-recommended Thai restaurant. The setting is full of Southeast Asian flavor, complementing the pool view outside.

We visited when the autumn menu was launched. The Thai tom yum soup was perfectly sour and spicy, there were spicy chicken strips, fried shrimp cakes, and Thai-style pad thai with fresh shrimp…

All authentic Thai dishes, absolutely delicious. With a coconut on the side, it felt exactly like being on vacation in Thailand.

This time, returning to Macau with my family and staying at the upgraded Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau earned unanimous praise from the whole family:

The hotel’s refined and cozy style, with art and culture permeating every corner, allowed our child to immerse herself in Macau’s unique Macau-Portuguese sentiment. I hope these exotic vibes will spark even more curiosity in little Hebao Dan about the world.

Artyzen Grand Lapa’s thoughtful service makes family vacations especially easy. If you can’t get up in the morning, breakfast can be delivered to your room or arranged by the pool. As long as you have a request, they can make it happen.

The two specialty restaurants let us taste exotic flavors completely different from our usual Chinese food, leaving us with a lasting impression.

Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, 956-1110 Avenida da Amizade, Macau

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