A visit to Macao offers something for everyone: history
lovers can learn more about the first—and last—European
settlement in East Asia, foodies can pursue local
delicacies and fine-dining experiences, and pampered
travellers can seek out the latest spa treatments
and shops.
But the city isn’t just a leisure destination: it’s uniquely positioned as one where visitors can combine business with pleasure.
Business comes first
Macao is famous for its world-class facilities—that includes gaming, of course, but also venues for events grand or intimate. In fact, the city has already hosted some of the region’s biggest events, including awards ceremonies for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants—which fetes a number of Macao’s top restaurants annually—and the IBF Championship Super Gala. Both were staged with great fanfare by Wynn Resorts.
Now Macao is preparing to host the next generation of conferences and conventions, banquets and breakout sessions. The Londoner Macao, for example, now has a hybrid event space, the Smart Stage, enhanced with the latest extended-reality technology. The Grand Pavilion at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort offers wall-mapping projection technology and interactive whiteboards—as well as an elegant indoor-outdoor space, the Jardim Secreto, with manicured lawns and landscaped patios.
Sustainability is increasingly on the agenda as well. In 2022, Cotai Expo at the Venetian Macao staged the city’s first carbon-neutral exhibition—helping to set a new standard for the region. The recently unveiled Galaxy International Convention Centre (GICC) also has environmental cred: it’s the first and only MICE venue in Macao to receive both a coveted Silver certification for environmental design from EarthCheck, a leader in sustainable travel and tourism, as well as a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating in interior design and construction. Among the innovative design features are strategically placed green walls that promise to keep temperatures cooler in summer and reduce the amount of heat escaping in winter.
“
”
The GICC, part of Galaxy Macau, also includes the Galaxy Arena—a brand-new venue with 360-degree unobstructed views, advanced acoustics, and seating for up to 16,000. It’s the largest indoor arena in Macao and one of the largest in Asia, designed to host global concert tours, thrilling fight nights and equally thrilling product launches. It’s also connected to the new Andaz Macau, which will have a dedicated check-in lounge for convention guests, among many other luxurious amenities.
Going the extra mile
Macao’s integrated resorts offer frictionless travel experiences for today’s professionals—on and off the clock. In this compact destination, nothing is more than 20 minutes away, and that includes Macau International Airport (which is no more than a 5-minute drive from some properties). Resorts run complimentary shuttles to the airport, ferry terminals and other entry points; MGM shuttle services, for example, operate from 9am until 11:30pm, depending on where you arrive, and run approximately every 15 minutes, minimising the wait and hassle for guests. If driving into Macao, one can also park for free at the East Car Park of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, before hopping onto the shuttle bus. Some resorts offer more extensive transport options between properties and attractions—or more private and luxurious ones, like limousine services.
These services of convenience continue once guests arrive at the resorts, which strive to make business travellers’ lives less frenetic. The Londoner Court offers round-the-clock butler service from staff trained extensively to go beyond what is typical: from prioritising the well-being of guests to tailoring arts, culture and culinary experiences based on their preferences. Similar butler services are also on offer at Raffles at Galaxy Macau to welcome guests to their premium suites, a hallmark offering since the resort’s inception in Singapore.
Work, play, relax—at the same time
Business travellers have schedules that are often packed, leaving little free time to relax and recharge. But at Macao’s integrated resorts one can move seamlessly between spaces for work and play, business and leisure. At Wynn Macau, for example, guests can end their day at one of two restaurants: Golden Flower, whose menu is inspired by the kitchens of the imperial family, or Michelin two-star Wing Lei, where one can sample Cantonese classics. At others, like the Grand Suites at Four Seasons, a full tasting menu can be arranged from Michelin one-star Zi Yat Heen to be enjoyed privately in the suite’s dining room.
“
”
Opportunities to briefly take one’s mind off work and immerse in multisensory art abound at Wynn Palace Cotai, in the recently opened Illuminarium. By blending sounds and lights, the attraction promises an expansive experience that transports visitors to other worlds. This is true of other resorts. A similar exhibition is teamLab SuperNature Macau, an immersive digital art installation at The Venetian, now expanded to include an enchanting floating flower garden.
For business travellers with their family in tow, there is still plenty at Macao’s integrated resorts for kids—and for kids at heart. Exclusive to Galaxy Macau guests, the Grand Resort Deck is a sprawling outdoor oasis with lush foliage, waterslides and a lazy river, with the world’s largest Skytop Wave Pool and the Skytop Adventure Rapids—a river ride—for all to explore.
Studio City, which boasts Macao’s first W Hotel and the world’s first figure-8 Ferris wheel, has a rooftop waterpark with both gentle rides and high-thrill slides, including one with a near-vertical drop that simulates freefall. For those preferring to stay dry, also located in the resort is Legend Heroes Park: with over 60 games on offer, this entertainment tech park uses cutting-edge technology like virtual reality, augmented reality and hologram projections to offer park-goers an immersive and interactive experience.
Nearby, at the City of Dreams, also owned by Melco Resorts, the largest water show in Macao promises an enthralling 90-minute display of acrobatic performances and a production of the highest quality. A popular permanent fixture in Macao, The House of Dancing Water, is undergoing a revamp and will resume in late 2024.
“
”
Indeed, it’s truly astounding how many experiences one can have in this multifaceted city—day or night, on or off the clock. Whether you’re travelling with family or wanting to make the most of your downtime while on a solo work trip, Macao’s integrated resorts bring you the best of all worlds.