Cheap Hotels in Macau

Although lesser known than the neighboring once overseas province of Hong Kong, Macau remains a popular destination for both travelers from China and the rest of the world. While Hong Kong was ruled by the British until it was turned back over to the Chinese in 1999, Macau was ruled by Portugal until the same year. Today it remains a special administrative region in the southeastern China and has the highest population density among all the countries/regions of the world.

Macau is made up of a peninsula and two islands, Macau was the first European colony in China and has a much more visible colonial history than its more famous neighbor Hong Kong. In fact, walking the streets of Macau you would almost think you are in Europe and not in China, though the majority of the residents here are native Chinese people. The architecture, however, pays homage to its colonial past.

Today Macau is mostly known for its gambling and us extremely rich in attractions and has a unique atmosphere resulting from the fusion of European and Chinese cultures over hundreds of years. Macau is laced with hundreds of narrow alleyways, forming a maze like system through the center of town which is marked by churches, temples, fortresses and other old buildings bearing an interesting mix of Portuguese and Chinese characteristics.

Known to some as the Vegas of the East, Macau also boasts major casinos, including big-name American casinos like MGM Grand, Venetian and the Sands Casino, which are situated in Cotai (aka Vegas strip of the east). However, apart from casinos, a large section of Macau has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its many historical and interesting buildings.

The bulk of Macau’s hotels are located on the peninsula. However, the more recent “vegasification” on the island of Cotai has opened many large hotels and hotel/casinos. Because Macau is a popular gambling getaway spot for Hong Kong residents, hotels tend to be much more expensive over the weekend than during the week. If you want to stay someplace with a sense of familiarity, you can opt for the MGM Grand Macau or the
Ventian Macau. If you are on a tighter budget, you may want to check out the Macau youth hostel. Travelers should be also aware that prostitution is not only allowed in Macau, but there are even many hotels (like the Hotel Rio), which are designated as for “men only” and are often sites where prostitution is encouraged.