Raffles at Galaxy Macau and Andaz Macau join the Galaxy complex: the sumptuous new additions bring the resort’s list of luxury hotels to 8, not to mention the convention centre and adventure facilities
The latter is where you’ll find the Andaz Macau, which is the brand’s largest hotel globally, offering 700 modern rooms and suites. Like Andaz’s other properties, the hotel is inspired by aspects of local culture, art and architecture, so expect to see a selection of commissioned artworks and artefacts dotted throughout the hotel that speak to Macau’s East-meets-West identity. The works include Macau Steps, a multisensory staircase where guests can learn about the city’s past and present through more than 100 videos.
Macau’s energy can also be felt in the contemporary rooms that feature a vibrant palette of orange and green, and modern amenities to suit leisure and business travellers such as wireless charging stations, a complimentary minibar and “smart” glass in the sleek bathrooms.
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The hotel’s public areas exhibit a similar colour scheme and vibe, with intimate social nooks spaced throughout the lobby level, including the chic Andaz Lounge exclusive to hotel guests who can linger there to enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks.
Food is one of Macau’s biggest lures and you’ll find plenty to enjoy at Andaz Kitchen, an all-day-dining destination that showcases the city’s eclectic combination of Portuguese, Cantonese and Macanese heritages. Charming executive chef Andre Lai helms the eatery, and guests can enjoy delectable dishes inspired by his native Portugal as well as recipes handed down from his Cantonese father who also happens to be a chef. Highlights include mouthwatering Portuguese favourites such as fiery piri piri chicken and octopus salad, alongside crispy homemade dumplings.
If opulence is more your thing, then Raffles at Galaxy Macau, which opened late last year, should also be on your radar. Part of the legendary Raffles brand – which includes historic properties such as the Raffles Singapore, and luxurious European hotels such as Le Royal Monceau in Paris and the recently opened Raffles London at The Owo – the Macau outpost features around 450 lavishly decorated suites.
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The most luxurious hotel in the complex boasts OTT interiors with Eastern elements such as peacock motifs scattered amid the extravagant crystal chandeliers and Italian marble sculptures, all reflected over and over in heavily mirrored surfaces.
What sets the hotel apart from similar properties at Galaxy and other resorts in Macau is the use of natural light in the lobby, which is decorated with 90 trees, 50,000 shrubs and seasonal flowers, as well as pieces from artists including Dutch sculptor Joris Kuipers and Singaporean artist Sun Yu Li.
The lobby bar, the Raffles Lounge & Terrace, is a great spot for afternoon tea, a decadent meal or – as you’d expect from a Raffles property – a Singapore Sling, the famous cocktail first created at the Raffles Singapore in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon (recipes and ingredients for the cocktail are also available in the suites).
Other food and beverage options include a new take on that Singapore property’s famous Long Bar designed by Joyce Wang; and a sushi restaurant helmed by sushi master Masaaki Miyakawa, one of only five Michelin-three-starred sushi chefs in Japan, which are set to open later this year.
Throw in a sumptuously appointed spa and there’s plenty of reasons to return to explore more of Macau.
With additional reporting by Vincenzo La Torre.
- Sample the Singapore Sling, a cocktail first created at the Raffles Singapore, at Raffles at Galaxy Macau, and watch out for the hotel’s new Long Bar and sushi restaurant helmed by a Michelin-starred chef
- The Galaxy Macau complex also includes the Skytop Rapids and Wave Pool, more than 120 dining outlets, the largest indoor arena in Macau, and the Galaxy International Convention Centre (GICC)