Before the Trip
Years ago, I had planned a trip to Venice, Italy, but it never happened. This New Year, I decided to make up for that regret in a small way by staying one night at The Venetian in Macau. The room rates during the holiday were expensive, so I redeemed points I had saved for over a decade. It felt like the perfect occasion to finally use them.
Arrival
The Venetian opened in 2007 with 3,000 rooms, once the largest hotel in Asia and the biggest casino in the world. Located on Cotai Strip along Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, it’s part of the Sands resort area. Getting there was easy—there’s a free shuttle bus from the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge terminal, and the first stop was right at The Venetian.
As the shuttle pulled up, I was struck by the grandeur of the building. The façade recreated Venice’s canals, bridges, and even a clock tower. It felt like stepping into a European fantasy.
Check-In
After walking through a long corridor, I reached the reception. Although there was a line, it moved quickly. Official check-in was at 3 p.m., but by 2:30 we were already given our room. To my delight, our booking was upgraded from a twin to a double suite. The process was smooth, and I felt well taken care of.
The Suite
Our suite was divided into two sections:
- Bedroom: Two large beds, a wardrobe, and a TV.
- Living Room: A sofa, work desk, dining table, and another TV.
Since we were four people, the hotel converted the sofa into a bed, which turned out to be surprisingly comfortable.
The bathroom was luxurious, with separate shower and bathtub, double washbasins, and even a dressing table. It felt indulgent, like living in a palace.
Exploring the Hotel
The Venetian is massive. There’s a children’s play area (with extra charges), and countless shops and restaurants. We visited the food court on the third floor, which was bustling with people. The scale of the place was overwhelming—everywhere I turned, there were crowds enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Service
The staff were polite and efficient. Anything we requested was delivered quickly. The hotel even gave my child a coloring book as a thoughtful gesture.
Reflection
It was New Year, so the resort was packed, and unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well during the trip. Still, being with my family, wandering through the grand Venetian corridors, and staying in such a spacious suite made the experience memorable. Even though I couldn’t fully enjoy everything, I felt grateful for the chance to finally live a little piece of the Venetian dream—right here in Macau.
