If you are planning a trip to Macau, there are several choices for you where you can stay for the night. From luxury to budget, there’s something you can pick. If cost is not an issue to you, you can simply opt for any of the five-star hotels in the NAPE (Novos Aterros do Porto Exterior) area of the Macau Peninsula or along the Cotai Strip. But if budget, convenience and comfort are your partiality, then Macau Masters Hotel may be one of your options.
Budget-wise, we got a Standard Twin Room which was around USD65.00 a night. Since I traveled with my sister, we split the cost between us. Not the cheapest in Macau, but it was value-for-money. Why?
1.) Clean, cozy rooms
Our room was just the right size — not really very spacious but it’s neither tight nor cramped as well. Our beds were sturdy with soft pillows, a comforter and a blanket. The toilet has a shower and a bathtub with provisions for towels and toiletries. An air freshener is also placed in the room to ward off any smell, especially it was rainy and damp when we were in Macau. Rooms are mostly located at the 5th and 6th floor of the building. The elevator is quite small and old but it has the security system wherein you have to insert your room key to gain access to the 5th and 6th floors.
2.) Great room amenities
They have great air-conditioning unit in the room. A flat screen TV is also mounted on the wall. There’s a mini-bar with a small refrigerator where we could keep drinks and food. A hair dryer is available in the bathroom. There’s a closet, an electric kettle, and a safety deposit box.
3.) Free wi-fi and phones
The room has free wi-fi, which was an important feature in our decision process. Apart from the high-speed internet connection, there’s a hotel telephone that we can use to call local numbers and, more importantly and a bit of a surprise to us, they have a Handy mobile phone that we can carry around. The Handy phone has internet connection and can also be used to call local numbers and select countries for international numbers. The calls are for free! Too bad the Philippines was not in the list of countries that the phone can access. But it was very helpful when we are on foot or when we need to know how to get from one point to another. The travel guide in the phone could even provide discounts for tickets, like in the Macau Tower.
4.) Helpful staff
We arrived at around 10:00pm and their 24-hour reception was ready to attend to us. They can communicate in English, although it was bit of a struggle. They were helpful to us, such as that day when it rained and we were able to borrow an umbrella at the reception. But, of course, there are often turnovers on staff members, so we were fortunate that those who were on duty during our entire stay were friendly. There are also free travel guides and guide maps at the reception counter. Here’s a TIP. Take one of the business cards by the counter, which you can show to taxi drivers or locals if you seem to be lost and you need to find your way back to the hotel.
5.) Location
Macau Masters Hotel may look like an old dilapidated building from the outside. It’s not really new inside but it’s pretty decent and unexpected from what you see on the façade.com as it does look like a heritage building. Since it is within the Inner Harbour and our room gives us a bit of a peek to the river and the hills in Zhuhai, China, at the other side of the river.
For one, Macau Masters Hotel is right at the bus stop. Bus number 26 from the airport stops right in front of the hotel, which was convenient when you’re arriving a few hours until midnight. It is right in the city center but not in the thick of things. You can walk to various points of interest, such as the Opium House, Praça de Ponte e Horta, Happiness Street or Rua de Felicidade, all the way to Leal Senado Building and Senado Square.
The restaurant in the hotel seems to be closed most of the time, but we weren’t complaining because eateries dot the vicinity around the hotel. Cross the street and you’ll find yourself in rows of eateries. Convenience stores, eateries and a bank are just near Praça de Ponte e Horta. Another TIP to share: exchange rates in the hotel are not great but the one in the bank just a few blocks across the street was the best so far.
Here are what you need to take note should you decide to billet in Macau Masters Hotel. There’s an MOP500.00 deposit that you have to give upon checking in, which they will return when you check out, if they see there’s no cause to charge you for anything. Check-in time is at 2:00pm while check-out time is 12:00noon. If your flight or ferry is in the afternoon or night, you can check out in the morning and leave your stuff at the reception as they have luggage storage service.
So, for a hotel at that price, we were pretty satisfied with our stay there. For more about Macau, please refer to my posts:
First-time in Macau
Macau for First-time Travelers
15 Things to Do in Macau
Rua das Lorchas, No.162, Macau
Tel. (853)2893 7572
Fax. (853)2893 7565
China Tel : 1300 576 3272
Website: http://www.mastershotel-macau.com