Sofitel at Ponte 16 hotel in Macau, China fits perfectly in the good tradition of this famous hotel chain.
Macau is a very interesting place on the map of Asia. This former Portuguese colony - the official languages here are Cantonese and Portuguese (although less and less people continue to speak this European language) - covers an area of 24 sq km. Macau extends on the peninsula bordering with mainland China and two islands – Taipa and Coloane, connected together with the Cotai area, which came into being as a result of drying out the land. The peninsula was originally an island, but the shoal connecting it with the mainland gradually evolved into an isthmus changing the island into a peninsula.
Macau shared the fate of Hong Kong. In 1999 the Chinese and the Portuguese signed a declaration stating that Macau would be incorporated into China, but as it was the case with Hong Kong, for the next 30 years, it was going to be the subject to the principle of “one country, two systems”. Makau has its own currency, although the Hong Kong dollar is commonly used here. Although Poland signed a visa-free traffic agreement, if you want to enter the mainland China through two borders, you need to have a Chinese visa.
Location
5-star Sofitel Macau is located in the historic part of the city, on the waterfront of the Pearl River, separating the mainland China from Macau. It’s a modern and spacious 18-storey building resembling modern Portuguese palaces. A stone’s throw away, there is an old low-rise city centre. Here you can see the way the locals have lived here for decades, before Macau became the world’s gambling capital, and one of the richest places in the world, next to Hong Kong.
Basically, you can get to know the whole of Macau within a shorter or a longer walk. It takes 10 minutes to walk to the Senado square and 15 – to the ruins of historic St. Paul’s Cathedral. A thirty minute-walk will take you to the old fort of Guia and A-Ma temple. Getting to the new business district, which, similarly to Hong Kong, is distinguished by modern skyscrapers and ubiquitous casinos, will take you the same amount of time.
Rooms
The hotel offers several types of rooms: Superior, Luxury, Junior Suite, and Prestige Suite, as well as luxurious 120-262 sq m suites (Mansions) with kitchen. All rooms come with air-conditioning, a flat flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Bathrooms in Superior and Luxury rooms feature toiletries by L’Occitane, while in Club and rooms of higher category, you'll find sets of luxurious cosmetics by Hermès.
Restaurants
The local Macau cuisine is a combination of traditional Cantonese and Portuguese cuisines. Dishes served here are a result of intertwined culinary traditions from Europe, China and the whole of Asia. That's why you will find here the aromas of turmeric, coconut milk, cinnamon and bacalhau. Common specialties are chicken à la Portuguese (galinha à portuguesa) and fried crabs.
Since Sofitel is a French hotel chain, Prive restaurant serves fine French cuisine à la carte. While dining here, you can enjoy the views of the historic part of Macau. Le Chinois, located on the top floor of the hotel and overlooking the Pearl River, serves typical Cantonese dishes. Mistral Restaurant, which is close to the hotel pools, is a typical restaurant with an international menu that will satisfy the palates of those used to European cuisine. And if you feel like having a good cocktail or a snack, visit the hotel’s Rendezvous Lounge.
Spa and business meetings
Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. There are also a few spacious conference rooms. The staff in Business Center will assist you with all translations, you may need. You can also prepare or print various presentations on the spot. All meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art wireless public address system.
The hotel’s So Spa, which uses cosmetics by a well-known French company L’Occitane, offers relaxing baths, massages and Asian medicine body treatments. In the fitness centre overlooking the hotel pool the guests have access to a wealth of fitness equipment: from stationary bikes to step machines. Guests staying in standard rooms can use the main outdoor pool. Those staying in suites in the more exclusive Mansion area, can use a private and quiet pool.
Verdict
The five stars of Sofitel in Macau are a guarantee of excellent quality. It’s an ideal venue for individual guests who have come to Macau for business or leisure. The place not only guarantees European comfort of the highest level, but also gives an opportunity to take a look at the local life and customs of Chinese people from a close distance.
FACT FILE
CONTACT
Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16, Rua do Visconde Paco de Arco 16, Macau
PRICE
From about €155 per room per night
Rafa Sobiech
Business Traveller Poland
