Wynn Macau

It's hard not to
be impressed by the grand, sweeping copper-mirrored facade of
the Wynn Macau -- which is even more striking by night when its
strip-illuminated frontage overlooks choreographed fountain displays. Even by
the upscale standards of the Macau Peninsula, this is every inch a luxury hotel
-- Vegas-style. This fact is all the more apparent when stepping into one of the three separate lobbies which are divided by level of guest (regular, club,
and Encore). Interiors are spacious and sumptuous, featuring bold and lavish
decor in a range of styles from fresh, classical white-and-gold to dramatic, almost gaudy explosions of color. Wide corridors are lined with designer boutiques and
also feature the occasional museum-worthy antique or artwork. While the main
building opened in 2006, the all-suite Encore wing was added four years later, with even more high-end facilities and rooms plus a front desk featuring
a huge aquarium full of Moon jellyfish. To top it off, the hotel's casino made
an appearance in the James Bond film "Skyfall." Not surprisingly, the clientele is a mix of well-heeled leisure travelers and business travelers with a budget to splash out.

This hotel is
located in Se, the Cathedral Parish district of the Macau Peninsula, and is surrounded by
other high-end hotels and casinos. It's also next to Nam Van Lake. This isn't the most character-filled part of Macau, though it will only take about 15 minutes on foot to reach the more historic areas of the city, which are home to plenty of colonial churches and the Ruins of St. Paul's. Macau Fisherman's Wharf, a harborfront entertainment and conference complex, is a five-minute cab journey away. Macau
Tower Convention and Entertainment Center is also within a five-minute drive. The
bridge that runs over the water to the south island is next to the hotel,
providing road access to the Cotai Strip -- filled with even more glitzy
casinos and restaurants -- in around 15 minutes. The hotel also runs a dedicated
shuttle from the ferry terminal and Macau International Airport, about 10
minutes away.

The Wynn Macau
has over 1,000 rooms and suites -- including the 400-odd suites in the Encore
tower -- all of which benefitted from a 2014
refresh. Decor in standard-level rooms is bright and breezy, if traditional, done in neutral tones
with floral artwork; floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of
natural light and fine views on higher floors. Suites are a little more lavish,
especially those in the Encore wing, which are finished in red and gold (which
might be a bit overboard for some tastes). The suites in particular don't look all that chic, and much of the furniture has a white-and-gold veneer finish that feels a bit unintentionally retro. The brash pairings of loud photographs and abstract art is mismatched. The aesthetic will appeal to those who love overdone, un-subtle glam decor, but those looking for restrained will be better off in the standard-level rooms (though, while those rooms are attractive, they aren't top-of-the-line from a style perspective either). All rooms are spacious, and even the most basic category -- the Deluxe Room in the Wynn Tower -- has a 52-square-meter floor plan (560 square feet). Standard amenities include large flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, minibars, and electric kettles. Private butler service is also available in certain categories and many rooms in the Encore wing have lovely views of Nam Van Lake and the city. Rooms also include touch-control technology systems and signature Wynn beds that are topped
with Egyptian cotton. However, reports suggest even some non-smoking rooms have
a lingering smell of cigarettes. Bathrooms are spacious and luxe, done in lots of creamy marble tilework, with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs. 

True to its go-big-or-go-home ethos, there are a ton of features on offer at this hotel. With a total of total
eight eateries spread between the Wynn and Encore towers, there's certainly no
shortage of on-site dining options here. Four of those restaurants are fine-dining venues, including the
Michelin-rated Wing Lei and Golden Flower restaurants, which serve Cantonese and Tan cooking respectively. There are three bars on-site, one of which
overlooks the casino floor, and the casino is open to visitors as well as hotel guests. A secluded outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by
numerous palm trees and tropical plants; while one of the more pleasant options around, it isn't as large as might be expected. Private cabanas ring the pool and can be rented. Two high-end spas provide luxury pampering
with a signature treatment of a synchronized six-hand massage. A beauty salon is also available, with views overlooking the pool. The property also has a spacious modern fitness center and designer boutiques on-site. One of the more Vegas-like features here is the dancing fountain, which has scheduled performance times during the day -- there are also other kitschy trappings like a smoke-breathing dragon. The hotel has an abundance of meeting space -- up to 2,000 square meters (21,528 square feet) of space -- with audiovisual services and catering both available. Weddings can also be held in the event spaces. Free shuttles are offered to both the ferry to Hong Kong and Macau's airport. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.