We spent eight nights in Macau on a city-break holiday. I chose the Mandarin Oriental based on our previous experiences with the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore and what a wonderful choice it was. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff almost overwhelmed us with their attentiveness. We were greeted by name in the restaurants and by room staff, and seemed to form a personal relationship with those we met with frequently. Our room was fabulous, a corner position with views of the lake, the casino lights at night and the island of Taipa. They are well equipped, with Nespresso coffee machines, easily controlled aircon and excellent toiletries in the large bathrooms. At various times the staff delivered fruit and plates of local specialties such Portuguese custard tarts and pork buns for us to try. The pool is a smallish lap pool, on the shady side of the building, but it is nicely heated and the adjacent gym is well equipped. There too the staff are incredibly attentive. The spa is a pleasantly numbing experience for those wishing to wind down.
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast from a Chinese European buffet and also ate at the hotel's excellent Chinese restaurant several nights. The lobby lounge serves a generous high tea as well. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the old part of town but out of the chaos of the main part of the city and casinos. We appreciated the peace and quiet of the location and could wander into MGM and Wynn casino hotels through the attached luxury shopping centre if we wanted a change of venue. Nothing was a problem for the hotel, including laying on a complimentary transfer to the ferry terminal for our earlier than usual departure.
Prospective guests should know that because this is a smaller hotel there is only one main restaurant as well as the lobby lounge, a smallish pool and no gardens, but the upside is personalised service, no crowd scenes in the lobby and a real haven at the end of a busy day. And as I said earlier, if you want to sit in the garden for a cocktail, walk two minutes next door to the larger and more frenetic Wynn. I'd move into the Mandarin Oriental if I could!