Galaxy Hotel

It's hard not to be a little overwhelmed upon arrival at the Galaxy Hotel, with its glittering gold facade and white towers soaring up over 30 stories to shimmering gold-leaf cupolas. Entering the property is certainly no less impressive, as guests pass under a long stained-glass ceilinged portico to arrive at a striking centerpiece that provides regular shows featuring a dramatic floating giant diamond flooded with dynamic lighting and stirring music -- arresting though far from subtle. The lobby is a little more understated, decked out in undulating metallic lines and polished white marble, plus an elegant check-in area with rows of carved flowers and mosaic flooring. 

The Galaxy Hotel opened in 2011 and is now one of six hotels that make up the landmark $2-billion Galaxy Macau resort complex. There's certainly little subtle about this bold, glitzy Vegas-style hotel, and at 1,500 rooms, it's one of the largest (though still half the number of the neighboring Venetian). Impeccable levels of service and vast array of facilities make this an understandably popular destination hotel for clientele ranging from families with kids to business travelers and weekending couples. The sheer size of the property means getting around can involve a lot of walking, and check-in can be prone to queues during busier times.

The hotel is located in the Vegas-style, purpose-built neighborhood of Cotai, a gambling and tourism strip situated between the Coloane and Taipa districts south of central Macau. Part of the Galaxy Macau complex, guests have direct access to over 100 dining options and 200 retail outlets, while the surroundings consist of other top-notch hotels and casinos. Just across the road is the Taipa Village, a touristy historic quarter that offers a blend of local and Portuguese cultures, as well as the Tapia Homes Museum. Most of Macau's more interesting sights and lively neighborhoods are across the harbor. Regular shuttle services ferry guests around all the city's major landmarks, including the airport and main ferry port. Macau International Airport and the port are both a zippy 10 minute-drive from the hotel.

The hotel's 1,500 rooms comprise a relatively simple mix of Deluxe rooms, plus five types of suites: Galaxy, Premier, Palace, and Royal. Entry-level Deluxe rooms are spacious enough by most standards at 385 square feet (35 square meters), while suites are at least double that. Decor across the rooms is colorful and modern with subtle Asian-themed styling that combines patterned rugs, velvet seating, and low-level lighting to an upscale and inviting effect. Huge double-glazed windows also make the most of the views, which are particularly stunning from higher floors. 

Standard amenities include 42-inch flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, and free minibars with beer and soft drinks (per-stay in regular rooms, replenished daily in suites). Extras also exclusive to suites include extra TVs, Bluetooth stereo systems, and DVD players -- top-level suites add 24-hour butler service. Bathrooms are suitably high-end, with glass partitions, separate walk-in showers, and Molton Brown toiletries, plus the addition of whirlpool tubs with views in most suites. In-room Wi-Fi is free of charge, reliable, and fast.

The world’s longest rooftop water ride is one of several features that make the complex's Grand Resort Deck (the largest of its kind) particularly impressive. This enormous 18-acre area also includes a wave pool, waterslides, splash parks, and even a beach (with 350 tons of sand) lined with plentiful loungers. Neighboring the artificial beach is a more serene mosaic-tiled heated swimming pool with sunbeds and waiter service, plus three large whirlpool tubs. While there is a spacious modern gym, there are no on-site spa or indoor pool facilities in the hotel. The Macua Complex offers a dizzying array of eating options, covering almost every type and style of dining imaginable from fast-food franchises to gourmet. There's also no shortage of bars and cafes including an Irish-themed pub, a Blues bar with live music, and a whiskey bar with over 350 brands. There are also a nine-screen cinema within the grounds, broadways shows, a huge casino, and numerous retail outlets. On-site parking is free with proof of purchase.