Experience the luxury of French and Asian glamour at the Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16, located on the picturesque waterfront and situated ideally for travellers hoping to explore the inner city of the Old Macau historical quarter.
[This article was published in The Telegraph and Business Traveller]
Read on to discover everything you need to know about the impressive five-star hotel, from its luxury rooms and Mansion suites to its world-class cuisine options and hotel facilities.
Location
Nestled within the heart of the historic quarter of the city, the Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 is just a stone’s throw away from some of the most popular attractions – a 10-minute stroll from the famous Senado Square and a 15-minute walk from the UNESCO Ruins of St Paul. Elsewhere, the hotel is also perfectly situated for exploring the Inner Harbor’s authentic Chinese restaurants and a thirty minute-walk will take you to the old fort of Guia and A-Ma temple.
A modern and spacious 18-storey building, the hotel resembles a modern Portuguese palace from the outside and its incredible location allows guests to get a feel for how the locals have lived here for decades.
There is also a free 2-way shuttle bus service on offer from the Border Gate and Macau Ferry terminal to the hotel, making it super easy for guests to arrive and depart. The airport and the attractions of Cotai are also within close reach.
Rooms & Suites
The hotel has several types of rooms and suites on offer, from superior to luxury rooms to Junior and Prestige Suite – all are decorated in an elegant French-style interior – cream accents and subtle floral motifs – fully air-conditioned and decked out with the latest technology. As we were in one of the club rooms on the 17th floor, our room came with a handy phone, with various apps, such as city guides, social media and Google Maps, as well as fast internet, the phone was ideal for taking around when exploring Macau.
In addition, the Sofitel’s 408 rooms all feature luxury touches such as L’Occitane or Hermes toiletries, espresso machines, Bose sounds systems and LCD television screens.
I also highly recommend upgrading to a Club floor room on the 17th floor of the hotel, which not only comes with exclusive lounge access – providing guests with private check in and check out service and all-day complimentary aperitifs at the Club Millesime (including the loveliest of afternoon teas) – but the rooms also come with jaw-dropping views of the city.
Within the Sofitel Macau, there are also 19 (Mansions) extra-large suites on offer. Each Mansion has one to three bedrooms in its own unique theme, from Michael Jackson memorabilia to bridal white. The Mansions are the most luxurious and high-end type of accommodation that the hotel has on offer, and come complete with high-floor views, marble jacuzzi, and private swimming pool access for Mansion guests only.
Dining
The Sofitel has six splendid dining outlets on offer for all guests to enjoy. All of the restaurants offer the perfect blend of magnificent views and superb fine dining quality food.
Mistral Restaurant is the family-friendly option with a more relaxed feel and offers a great mix of Asian and Western cuisine with its impressive International buffets and a la carte dining throughout the day.
At the top of the hotel guests will find Le Chinois Cantonese Restaurant overlooking the Pearl River, famous for its highly regarded dim sum, expert chefs use the finest seasonal ingredients to cook up authentic Cantonese favourites, all served with a unique French flair.
For French haute cuisine and perhaps a special occasion, guests can book a table at Privé to sample the magic of France through the hotels a la carte and tasting menus, offering seasonal delicacies created using the finest ingredients. An illuminated glass ceiling also complements the magical views of Macau’s UNESCO heritage sites.
Located next to the hotel lobby, RendezVous Lobby Bar oozes glamour and offers an all-day menu filled with eclectic Western and Asian options. Golden chandeliers hang from the ceilings and guests can choose from over 30 different vodkas or opt for signature Sofitel cocktails like the Ponte 16 or Rosemary Martini.
Spa & Fitness
Discover your own personal heaven at Sofitel’s So SPA where expert therapists offer massages, body wraps and scrubs in six different treatment suites, two of which are specially designed for couples and come with a private jacuzzi.
Those wanting to work off all of the delicious Macanese food can pay a visit to So FIT, where the gym’s dedicated trainers offer encouragement and expert advice, using modern gym equipment.
Guests can also detox with a session in the sauna or wander out to the terrace for a swim in the hotel’s outdoor pool. In the evening, the pool is illuminated and stays open until 10pm.
00 853 8861 0016
sofitelmacau.com/
KeiKei is a London-based award-winning journalist and videographer with a degree in Broadcast Media and Journalism from the University of the West of Scotland and an extensive reporting background in news, entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
KeiKei has travelled the globe interviewing, reporting and reviewing. Her work has been published in worldwide media outlets including, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, National Geographic and Conde Nast publications.
