Where to stay

The Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip: Bang slap in the middle of Macau's buzzing, new casino-scape, The Four Seasons is a haven of style and tranquility. Super slick suites, spas and swimming pools, plus excellent facilities for all kinds of meetings and events make this a smart choice for business travellers. Read more…
Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, S/N, Taipa, Macau; Tel. +853 2881 8888; Web: www.fourseasons.com/macau.

Wynn Macau: Another great choice if you've got meetings to arrange as the hotel has fab facilities. Rooms at the Wynn Macau are slick, with views across the Nam Van Lake and Macau skyline, and they are kitted out with all the amenities a business traveller needs.
Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 9966; Web: www.wynnmacau.com.

The Westin Macau: If you're in Macau for a big event or conference and the idea of getting away from it all at the end of the day appeals, then the Westin Macau will be perfect for you. Located on sleepy Coloane Island, the hotel is only 10 minutes from the Cotai Strip and 20 minutes away from downtown Macau, but feels a million miles away.
1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, P.O. Box 1429, Coloane, Macau; Tel: + 853 2887 1111; Web: www.starwoodhotels.com.

The Grand Hyatt Macau and the Shangri-La Macau are opening in 2009 and are worth watching out for.

Where to eat

Le Bistrot: This little-known, off-the-beaten track gem is a great place to host a 5* client dinner without the 5* price tag. Fabulous French food and wine with a smart-but-relaxed, bistro-style atmosphere.
Nova Taipa Garden, Block 27, G/F, Taipa, Macau; Tel: +853 2884 3739; Web: www.lebistrot-macau.com.

Robuchon a Galera: For food that is as good to look at as it is to eat, head to Joël Robuchon's Macau restaurant. Robuchon a Galera has a private room with a bar available for functions and business meetings, plus a great deal on silver service lunch.
3/F, Lisboa Tower, Macau; Tel: +853 377 666; Web: www.restaurants-joel-robuchon.com.

A Lorcha: If you want to wow your clients with a taste of Macanese cuisine book a table at the institution that is A Lorcha. Delicious and distinctive Portuguese inspired dishes, plus friendly service.
Rua do Almirante Sergio 289, Macau; Tel: +853 2831 3193.

Fernando's: More a more relaxed, informal meal Fernando's is an excellent choice. Home-style Portuguese cooking a world away from the whirl of construction and bright lights on the Cotai Strip. Read more…
Praia de Hac Sa No. 9, Coloane, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 2264.

Where to play

The Venetian: This behemoth is constantly packed with both mainland Chinese and overseas tourists hoping for a lucky streak. Hundreds of gaming tables + bars + shops + restaurants = a good time.
Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, Taipa, Macau; Tel: +853 2882 8888; Web: www.venetianmacao.com.

The Wynn: For a more upscale gambling experience head to The Wynn. The atmosphere's not as charged, but the experience is definitely more "va-va-Vegas" than the Venetian.
Rua Cicade de Sintra, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 9966; Web: www.wynnmacau.com.

Casino Lisboa: Stanley Ho's 40-year old casino is definitely past-it looks wise, but it's a great place to visit for a slice of retro-Macau fun. Look out for the pawn shops outside the casino floor – expensive watches galore.
Avenida de Lisboa, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 3888.

Where to drink

38 Lounge: Formerly 'Crystal Club' in what was the Crown Macau, 38 Lounge still offers one of the best, and most vertiginous views over Macau and the mainland. Sit inside on crisp, white sofas or outside on the terrace and order one of the bar's 38 wines, 38 cognacs, 38 whiskies or 38 single malts. A great place to watch the sunset and one of the longest happy hours in town (10am – 10pm daily).
Altira Macau, Avenida de Kwong Tung, Taipa, Macau; Tel: +853 2886 8868.

Veuve Clicquot Lounge: Specialty champagnes and cocktails reign supreme here, so if you've got a company credit card that needs flexing, or you luck is in, spend big.
MGM Grand, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Macau; Tel: +853 8802 8888; Web: www.mgmgrandmacau.com/veuveclicquotlounge.

Bar Azul: Moody lighting, chic décor and great complimentary bar snacks. Enjoy a stylish cocktail or two before hitting the Cotai Strip.
Four Seasons Hotel Macau, Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, Taipa, Macau; Tel: +853 2881 8888.

CINNEBAR: Chic al fresco (and indoor) bar. Sit by the Wynn's snazzy pool whilst sipping on a single malt whiskey and sampling the Japanese tapas.
Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 9966.

Lion's Bar: Love live music? Look no further. International bands play whilst bar-goers tear up the dance floor, lounge by the long bar or slink onto sofas.
MGM Grand, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Macau; Tel: +853 8802 8888; Web: www.mgmgrandmacau.com/lionsbar.

Where to spa

Six Senses Spa: This stylish sanctuary at the MGM Macau is the place to beat a retreat to if you're in need of some TLC. The spa menu combines 'Asian therapies and Six Senses Signature treatments with fitness, beauty and pure pampering'.
MGM Macau, 3/F, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Macau; Tel: +853 8802 3838; Web: www.sixsenses.com/six-senses-spas/mgm.

The Spa, Mandarin Oriental: Tropical gardens, a heated outdoor pool, a waterfall and therapies to die for equal spa heaven. Every treatment room and suite has a private outdoor spa garden with a jacuzzi and outdoor rain shower, so really – what are you waiting for?
Mandarin Oriental, Grand Lapa Hotel, 956-1110 Avenida da Amizade, PO Box 3016, Macau; Tel: +853 8793 4824; Web: mandarinoriental.com/grandlapa/spa.

Rock Spa, Hard Rock Hotel: For spa treatment on a budget you can't get better than the brand new Rock Spa. Facials, massages and body wraps galore going for a song (well, comparatively speaking).
Level 3, Hard Rock Hotel Macau at City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau; Tel: +853 8868 3318.

Experience Macau

There's a whole lot more to Macau than casinos thanks to centuries of fusion between European and Chinese cultures; and, in 2005 UNESCO named the Historic Centre of Macau a World Heritage Site. The Portuguese influence is visible everywhere and Macau is a great place to explore on foot. If you have a spare couple of hours check out baroque churches, cobbled back streets, fortresses, parks, beaches and gardens.

Ruínas de São Paulo (Ruins of St. Paul's): Although only the façade of this 17th Century Portuguese cathedral remains, the Ruínas de São Paulo is still one of Macau's most famous landmarks, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Largo do Senado, (Senado Square): Macau's largest and most impressive square, Largo do Senado contains some of the most quintessentially colonial buildings in the S.A.R. Get snap happy.

Rua da Felicidade: Once a popular nightlife and red light district, Rua da Felicidade is now home to stall upon stall of Macanese delicacies such as beef jerky, egg tarts and caramelised peanuts.

Lord Stow's Bakery: You can't visit Macau without appreciating the art of the Portuguese-style egg tart, and Lord Stow's Bakery (1 Rua da Tassara, Coloane Town Sq; +853 2888 2534) serves up the finest.

Where to Shop

Rua de São Paulo: More reproduction antique furniture than you can shake a stick at in shops that line both sides of this street. Either buy from the stock on show or take along a picture of a piece you want copied. Eat your heart out Pottery Barn. Haggle hard on prices.

The Shoppes at Four Seasons: Three shiny new floors of glitzy designer stores.

Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian: If you have enough of the Grand Canal's 350 shops you can watch the street performers or hop into a gondola and be serenaded as you float down the 'canals'.