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TRENDING TRAVEL CHAMELEONSEYE/SHUTTERSTOCK Destination: MACAU As more high-end hotels and casinos plan their arrivals, the tiny region in Asia is coming up on the radar in a big way for luxury travelers. BY ALLISON HATA narrow metal platform approximately 764 feet above ground offers the perfect vantage point for taking in the contrasting environs of Macau. A To the left are the high-rise hotels and casinos that light up like beacons on the skyline; to the right, there’s a wide expanse of sea that reminds visitors of the island locale. It’s a perspective that showcases the juxtaposition in this special administrative region of China—opulence building upon decades of Macau’s his- tory as a fisherman’s trading port. This observation deck is part of the “new” Macau, opening just two years after the former Portuguese colony was returned to China in 1999. Housing the world’s highest commercial bungee jump and skywalk, Macau Tower has become an iconic landmark and serves as a symbol of the glittering developments trans- forming the area into a luxury travel destination. Discussions of Macau today often elicit Las Vegas comparisons, a point emphasized by the number of United States-based companies staking claim on the islands and peninsula comprising the region. Debuting in 2004, the Sands Macao opened doors for more international operators. In the subsequent decade, Wynn and MGM built properties in the historic center of Macau’s peninsula; on the island side, familiar names like Crown Towers, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Hard Rock, The Plaza, Sheraton and Venetian popped up along the Cotai Strip. There’s seemingly no end in sight for development: In 2015 alone, the JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton opened within the Galaxy compound on the Cotai Strip, and the St. Regis is expected to debut in December in the nearby Sands complex. Highly anticipated arrivals the following year are an MGM Cotai resort and The Parisian. As this small sliver of land becomes saturated with big names, now is the time to book a trip to Macau and be among the first to experience how major U.S. companies are translating American luxury in the region. Turn the page for a visual guide to Asia’s most exciting up-and-coming destination. 50 BESPOKE CONCIERGE FALL 2015 51 CITY OF DREAMS Down the street from the Sands complex on the strip, the City of Dreams is hailed as a world-class entertainment hub—and it’s more than deserving of the title with activi- ties for every personality. Epicures can indulge their palates at more than 25 bars, lounges and restaurants, including the Forbes Travel Guide Five- Star-rated Jade Dragon, which specializes in Cantonese fine dining. Those hoping to unwind, however, can recover from jet lag at three different spas or peruse apparel, jewelry and other accessories from ultrachic brands such as Emporio Armani, Gucci and Saint Laurent Paris. In the evening, “The House of Dancing Water” rivals any live performance in Vegas with a stunning show of acrobatic feats and aquatic displays. A pool holding 3.7 million gallons of water provides the stage for a love story that unfolds with the help of spectac- ular costumes, artistic movement and even motocross stunts. The Cotai Strip is home to the largest casino in the world and more than 650 duty-free shops. THE COTAI STRIP COURTESY OF THE SHERATON MACAO HOTEL, COTAI CENTRAL MACAO HOTEL, COTAI COURTESY OF THE SHERATON On the island side, flanked to the is the gaming scene—baccarat has Las Vegas Sands Corp. umbrella are what the Cotai Strip offers in terms north by Taipa and to the south long been the pastime of choice the Four Seasons (2008) and the of luxury. Indoor walkways between by Coloane, Cotai is home to the for Chinese high rollers—and the Sands Cotai Central complex (2012), the Sands properties connect more stretch of hotels and casinos largely Cotai Strip is one of the top places which includes the Sheraton, Conrad than 650 duty-free boutiques ranging responsible for recent associations for international gamblers hoping and Holiday Inn. The Sheraton may from high-end designers such as with Las Vegas. The brilliant lights to try their luck. Here, travelers can be the crown jewel of the latter com- Chanel, Dior and La Perla to ready- on the Cotai Strip give the region find the largest casino in the world, pound; it’s the largest hotel in Macau to-wear brands like Calvin Klein and as much glamorous appeal as Vegas, located inside The Venetian Macao. and features three signature restau- Zara. A spa sanctuary at the Conrad and, as more major developments Opened in 2007, it offers 374,000 rants, three sparkling pool areas, a takes pampering to new heights, arrive, travelers may soon have as square feet of gaming space with spa and a members-only club lounge while dozens of on-site restaurants “The House of Dancing Water” many hotels, casinos, shows and approximately 460 table games and with exclusive perks. offering Portuguese, Macanese and in the City of Dreams complex shops to explore. 2,200 slot machines. But these amenities at the Western specialties round out the features acrobatic stunts and One of Macau’s biggest draws Joining The Venetian under the Sheraton only scratch the surface of Sands experience. aquatic displays of color and light. 52 BESPOKE CONCIERGE FALL 2015 53 Daring travelers can bungee What used to be the Church jump, SkyJump or climb of Mater Dei and St. Paul’s MACAU Macau Tower. College is now a facade known TOWER as the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Designed in the shape of a dragon, with the Casino Lisboa on the peninsula side as the head and Taipa Monument on the island end as the tail, the Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge connects the two areas of Macau. Just over the bridge from Taipa is Macau Tower, the 764-foot architectural beacon. In addition to bungee jumping and a sky- walk around the outer perimeter of the tower, travelers can experience an adrenaline rush during the 17-second SkyJump—a one-way vertical drop that offers a softer landing than a bungee swan dive. Extreme adventurers, however, can take a three-hour climb up exte- rior vertical ladders to a point of 1,109 feet, achieving 360-degree views of the peninsula and the skyline of China’s Pearl River Delta. But the beauty of Macau is that there’s something for everyone. An observation lounge affords similar vistas from behind three-story, floor-to-ceiling glass panes; sim- ilarly, 360° Cafe has a more relaxed viewing experience accompanied by lunch, high tea or dinner. On the lower levels, find more restau- rants and cafes, in addition to a shop carrying more than 30 European luxury brands, a toy store and a movie theater. HISTORIC CENTER Before Macau rose to prominence in styles that reflect its governing inspection of military troops; in the site of the Ruins of St. Paul’s. A as a mecca for gamblers, gourmands countries, both past and present. To early 1990s, the Portuguese paved majestic, intricately carved facade and fashionistas, it was under the step back centuries—even before the ground with a mosaic of light is all that remains of the Church of rule of Portugal for hundreds of the arrival of Portugal in 1557— and dark stones that remains to this Mater Dei and St. Paul’s College, years. It was returned to China visit A-Ma Temple at the southern day, along with a collection of pas- which were destroyed by fire in 1835. in 1999, but European influences tip of the peninsula. The beauti- tel-colored neoclassical buildings. At Though there’s much to see during remained to create a melting pot of fully detailed structure, built in the the end of the wave-patterned path a trip to Macau, the ruins paint a cultures that exists today. 1400s, offers a glimpse into Macau’s is St. Dominic’s Church, originally vivid picture of the cultural tapes- For a brief sojourn from the past as a Chinese port of call for built by Spanish Dominican priests. try woven throughout the region: comforts of the Cotai Strip, enjoy a European sailors. Today, the house of worship hides Biblical images, mythological figures, different type of luxury—one steeped Along a walkable route through the Museum of Sacred Art in the Chinese characters and lions, and in the authentic experiences found in the peninsula, travelers can trace bell tower, which displays religious nautical elements come together Macau’s historic center. the lineage of Macau’s history as artifacts dating from the 17th to the across the five staggering levels, Designated a UNESCO World it transitioned into Portuguese 19th century. representing the global influences Heritage site, the district encom- control. Senado Square, for exam- The most iconic destination in evident even today in this city where passes a diverse array of architecture ple, was once a gathering place for the historic center, however, is the history meets modern luxury. C 54 BESPOKE CONCIERGE FALL 2015 55.

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