Banyan Tree Macao Hotel

Macao

Macao, a Portuguese colony for more than four centuries, is the perfect example of a successful fusion between East and West, with Chinese temples and Baroque churches standing side by side in perfect harmony in the city’s historic center, classified as a UNESCO world heritage, and modern buildings filled with shopping malls, hotels and casinos.

Returned to China in 1999, Macao has, in just a few years, become an immense gambling center. Nicknamed the “Las Vegas of the Orient”, this tiny territory possesses 32 gaming establishments, the most famous of which is the Grand Lisboa (Lisbon), which welcomes thousands of gamblers in a feverish impassioned atmosphere.

The Isthmus of Cotai, organized as a new zone for gambling and tourism, is a patch of land reclaimed from the sea. Its name is a contraction of the names of the two islands that connect it, Coloane and Taipa. Famous the world over for its fireworks factories, the island of Taipa today boasts some enormous hotels one of which is the white and gold Galaxy complex consisting of three five stars hotels and vast recreation and shopping areas.

The city’s largest five stars complex

The luxurious Banyan Tree Macao, in the gigantic Galaxy Macao hotel complex, was designed to be the largest 5 stars complex in the city, according to Banyan Tree president, Ho Kwon Ping. Access to the tower is via the immense hall of the Galaxy with a statue called “Welcome” in the form of a vase, by Florence Ng,

The reception area with wood furniture and high ceilings, like the rest of the hotel, is the work of the famous designer firm, Chhada, Siembieda and Associates based in Hong Kong. The 246 suites are an elegant blend of contemporary designer furniture and Asian elements, in the Banyan Tree image of a sanctuary of well-being for the mind and the body. The ivory colored marble floor blends beautifully with the beige and brown tones of the fabrics and the furniture made of noble wood. This combination is heightened by tapestries in red, the Chinese good luck color.

The same atmosphere can be found in the ten villasnestled in a tropical garden, each with its ownprivate swimming pool. And for those not fortunate enough to stay in one of these villas, there’s a huge wave swimming pool belonging to the Galaxy complex as well as the Banyan Tree pool. To raise one’s spirit and relax one’s mind, the spa is the place to go. Famous for its ancestral techniques going back several centuries, the treatments offered plunge visitors into a deep reverie.

And for the pleasures of palace dining, the Saffron is the place to enjoy the cuisine proposed by Gina, the Thai chef, (in spite of her first name), or the Belon, whereSpanish chef Matias Martinez creates his original dishes in a grandiose marine inspired setting. Located on the 31^st floor, it possesses a truly exceptional view of the Macao skyline which glitters with a thousand lights at night.

In spite of its immense size, the Banyan Tree Macao is exactly as its manager Rudy Oretti describes it: “a sanctuary for gamers who want to be in the heart of the action and the entertainment and still have a place to relax or recharge their batteries.”

Located on the roof, the Galaxy Macao complex possesses the largest wave pool in Asia.