The Grand Lapa Macau is centrally-located, elegant and comfortable, writes Loong Wai Ting
MY back hurts after a more than three-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Macau. My legs long to stretch out and feel solid ground again. What could have been a smooth flight is slightly affected by air turbulence, which passes as quickly as it comes.
As the plane makes a sharp turn into Macau International Airport, my heart skips a bit. It’s a city that I’m familiar with, the people are friendly and the food is unforgettable. Most of all, I’m drawn to the city’s endless sights and sounds.
After going through immigration, I grab my luggage from the baggage area and flag down the nearest taxi that will take me to my hotel.
About 15 minutes later, I am at the doorstep of the Grand Lapa Macau, which was previously the Mandarin Oriental Hotel before the latter moved to another location overlooking the iconic Macau Tower.
RELAXING STAY
An attendant in his late 20s offers to carry my luggage up the small flight of stairs and into the spacious lobby.
Inside, a blast of cool air greets me as I proceed to check-in. The scent of white tea permeates the air and it makes me feel relaxed.
Checking-in is a breeze. The friendly lady at the concierge counter hands over my room key cards and tells me that I can now enjoy the hotel’s complimentary WiFi.
My room is situated on the 11th floor, so I get a decent view of the city and the streets below me.
On the opposite road, there’s a VIP podium where guests can sit and watch the annual Macau Grand Prix in action.
Luckily the race season is over, otherwise I will have to sacrifice my relaxing stay here.
My room is spacious and comes with all the basic amenities such as flat screen TV, a king-sized bed, toiletries and space to store my luggage.
The bed is certainly wide enough and comes with four king-sized pillows. The mattress is soft. It’s as if you’re being embraced by the bed itself.
BROWNIE POINTS
As I relax on the huge bed and channel-surf the TV, a gentle knock on the door startles me. It’s the lady at the lift whom I pass by earlier.
In her hands is a welcome letter from the general manager and a tub of walnut chocolate cookie, which she hands over to me.
Little thoughtful gifts like this always wins extra brownie points from guests and Grand Lapa Hotel is no exception.
From the moment I step off my taxi to checking in, the service is exceptional. The employees are genuinely nice and helpful throughout my stay.
For those who fancy a quick dip or a tan, there’s an outdoor pool which opens all-year round. The gorgeous pool with its blue tiles also has a man-made waterfall on the far corner, so it will definitely keep even shutterbugs happy.
There are also plenty of lounge chairs underneath tall palms for you to relax in, perhaps with a house cocktail and a good book in hand.
It’s worth to note that the hotel has recently gone through a major facelift, and the full-scale refurbishment has given the hotel a modern touch that’s normally expected of a luxurious five-star hotel.
The designs are classic contemporary, East meets West that sort of thing, but never over-the-top. There’s not a single design that sticks out like a sore thumb. Instead, everything fits in nicely.
DINING
Food is serious business in Grand Lapa Macau. The chefs here take their food preparation seriously, so you can expect some of the best food in town.
At Cafe Bela Vista, you can find a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese food.
The wooden verandah brings in cool, fresh air from the outside. In the morning, the sun streams through the wooden blinds, bathing the surrounding tables and chairs in soft shadows.
Breakfast here includes an array of local and continental breakfast. Some, like noodle soup, is prepared fresh in front of guests. There are also freshly-baked breads of all kinds and delicious pastries.
Apart from Cafe Bela Vista, there are two other restaurants. There’s the Kam Lai Heen Chinese Restaurant, which serves authentice Chinese cuisine, and the Michelin-starred Naam Thai Restaurant.
There’s also the International Lounge and Bar but it is currently closed for upgrading purposes.
OVERALL
The Grand Lapa Macau is conveniently located in the centre of the city. So it’s definitely worth going out and explore the city like the famous Senado Square, which is about 10 minutes by taxi.
From the spotless marble floors to the gleaming imperial staircase in the centre of the lobby and the tropical landscaping of the pool, the property impresses anyone who steps in either for a short or long stay. It’s classy, elegant and, most importantly, comfortable.
Pictures from Grand Lapa Macau Facebook
FAST FACTS
THE GRAND LAPA MACAU
ADDRESS 956-1110 Avenida da Amizade
Macau China
TEL +853 2856 7888
WEBSITE www.grandlapa.com
GETTING THERE
AirAsia operates direct services between Macau and Kuala Lumpur (14 flights per week), Johor Baru (seven flights), Bangkok (28 flights), Chiang Mai (seven flights), Pattaya (four flights), Jakarta (four flights) and Manila (five flights). In addition, there are also Fly-Thru services via Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to nearly 40 destinations across Asia Pacific.
STAY The spacious rooms are welcoming with all the basic amenities. The bathroom comes with two shower heads, the normal one and a rain shower. Go for the rain shower.
EAT Local and international dishes, particularly authentic Portuguese cuisine at Cafe Bela Vista.
DO Take a walk along the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf in the evening to enjoy the sunset view. Also, visit the Senado Square and nearby attractions.
GO The famous Sands casino is next door if you’re looking to try your luck. Otherwise, head over to the Macau Tower and conquer your fear of heights by doing the bungee jump or the Skywalk.
HIGHS Clean, spacious rooms and friendly service.
LOWS The pricing