Where I Stayed in Macau: Ascott Macau Hotel Review

I am not really into casinos and gambling and I was really vocal with my friend Gael that creating a replica of something (like a famous landmark) is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. So why am I here in Macau?

To be honest, at first I wasn’t really sure. It was my second time in Hong Kong and the first time I visted, I missed an opportunity to explore the island of Macau (which is just a ferry away from HK). So this time around, even without a concrete plan of what to do and what expect, we decided to book a ferry and finally explore Macau.

I was fortunate that I was traveling with Gael (The Pinay Solo Backpacker) who has her own Macau Travel Guide uploaded in her blog site. The only thing I needed to do was book our accommodation and look for tours via KKday.  I will be writing all the things we did on a separate blog. For the mean time, this blog is dedicated to where we stayed in the city also known as the Las Vegas of Asia.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhmUBo0Bw1j/?taken-by=kennethsurat



Ascott Macau welcomed us in style. The moment we entered the lobby we were in awe already of the whole look and feel of the hotel…..but wait!

Upon entering my room, the first thing I said was…WOW! My room was the hotel's Executive Suite, and it comes with its own full functioning kitchen, washer (perfectly hidden), living area, study desk (with an awesome view), bath tub (again with an awesome view!).

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ASCOTT MACAU

[caption id="attachment_5893" align="alignnone" width="800"] Ascott Macau's iconic diamond shaped architecture[/caption]

Your home in the heart of Macau’s business district. Just 5 minutes drive fromMacau Ferry Terminal and 10 min drive from Macau International Airport. You can get a taxi for roughly around 40 MOP.

Ascott Macau is located within Macau’s Dynasty District. Surrounded with the bright casinos and luxurious hotels, Ascott Macau stands tall with its stylish diamond shaped architecture, very reminiscent of a high-end boutique along Dubai’s luxurious shopping strips.

Unlike most of the properties in the area, Ascott Macau isn’t a casino hotel. This means, once you are in the hotel, you’ll have a private and peaceful ambience away from the casino traffic (which we really loved).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhskNhvhVhS/?taken-by=kennethsurat

The location as well is also very convenient if you are looking for things to do (apart from trying your luck in casinos). Roughly 20 min walk from Macau’s cultural sites such as The Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square where you can immerse in the rich Portuguese cultural influence of the island. It is also close to the famous Macau Tower for a quick 360 degrees panoramic view of the city…..and bungee?

ROOMS

Ascott Macau’s Executive Suite was my home away from home while I was in Macau. A total of 55 sqm of pure modern contemporary luxurious accommodation. As an interior stylist myself, I do love how this room didn’t overdo it’s interior design. Is just a perfect blend of contemporary design with a hint of glam.

[caption id="attachment_5888" align="alignnone" width="800"] The living area and study with the view of Macau's business district[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5885" align="alignnone" width="800"] A full functioning kitchen inside my room....YES!!!![/caption]

I love how this room makes you just want to stay indoor. True story, we adjusted our itinerary so we can spend more time in the hotel haha.

The integrated kitchen with cooker hob & hood and (hidden) washer is really convenient for businessmen/women and tourists who are visiting the city for a long period of time. My favorite in the room is my bathtub. My tub just sits along the window so you can imagine how I spent my first evening here….a big bubble bath! Also the mirror integrated TV is just a cherry on top.

[caption id="attachment_5891" align="alignnone" width="800"] I super love my bathroom.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5892" align="alignnone" width="800"] The whole shower kit complete with a L'Occitane shower amenities[/caption]

Ascott Macau provides 110 guestrooms and one-bedroom suites with 4 types of rooms. Deluxe Rooms (Twin/King), Noble Suites, Executive Suites and Premier Suites.

All room types are equipped with:

• Cutlery


• Electric Kettle


• Glassware


• Microwave Oven


• Mini Bar


• Wifi


• Cable TV


• Wireless Phone with IDD and Voicemails


• Electronic Safe


• Washing Machine and Dryer


• Steam Iron and Ironing Board


• Bathtub (my favorite!)


• L’Occitane Shower Amenities (love this!)


• Mirror Integrated Television (for the tub)


• Hairdryer

Basically everything you need in life (haha)

FASCILITIES

[caption id="attachment_5883" align="alignnone" width="800"] Gael appreciating the grand lobby of Ascott Macau[/caption]

Ascott Macau is also ideal for your staycation dreams. Aside from its Instagrammable rooms, you can unwind at the hotel’s outdoor and (temperature controlled) indoor pool. There are also an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna room and a gymnasium which can be accessed by all the hotel guests.

[caption id="attachment_5906" align="alignnone" width="800"] Ascott Macau Indoor Pool[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5882" align="alignnone" width="800"] Just chilling at these sun loungers (actually waiting for lunch?)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5887" align="alignnone" width="800"] Ascott Macau's outdoor pool[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5907" align="alignnone" width="800"] Gymnasium (with pool view)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5908" align="alignnone" width="800"] One of Ascott Macau's hi-end meeting rooms[/caption]

Although we didn’t visit for business, it is nice to know that Ascott Macau is equipped with a business center, hi-end meeting rooms, multi-function room, VIP room and outdoor terrace.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhp45Dqhr_l/?taken-by=kennethsurat

So to say that I am happy with our stay at Ascott Macau is an understatement. Secretly I was wishing that we can stay longer (even to live there haha). If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay that is close to Macau’s cultural sites and accessible to the lights and actions which is what the city is known for, Ascott Macau is definitely the place for you.

ASCOTT MACAU DETAILS

Facebook Page

No. 339 Rua Cidade de Braga, Macau

(853) 2822 06 88

Email: enquiry.macau@the-ascott.com

 

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This blog was in collaboration with Ascott Macau during our short trip in Macau,China. All editorials and photos are my own unless mentioned or sighted from sources. 

GREAT WALL OF CHINA: Jinshanling-Simatai Hike

I have been planning to update my blog about The Great Wall of China long time ago as there is nothing aside from photographs in my previous 'Multiply' site (a moment of silence for multiply.com).

Today, I was browsing Instagram and saw several photos of The Great Wall and it inspired to start a 'real' blog about my trip.

Beijing is very special to me. It was my very first solo trip. Before this time (2008), I haven't met any solo backpackers, so hearing stories in our dorm type hostel room from a 20-something yr. old Scottish guy who traveled from one country to another before reaching Beijing really caught my attention. It was something that was unheard of for me.

I stayed in Peking International Youth Hostel just beside the Forbidden City (how cool was that). In the hostel, they offered a tour/hike to the Great Wall of China. With this information I planned my itinerary around this, knowing that need to block a full day just for this trip.



It was called the Great Jinshanling-Simatai Hike. And at the time that I signed in, I kind of didn't know how great this great hike will be. We gathered in the hostel lobby early in the morning (at around 8am) for our pick-up. Our minivan did a few more stops to nearby hostels to pick-up other hikers. We were around 12 all in all and our guide said that it was a good number.

At the assembly point, our guide made it clear to us that this hike is not easy, it will be very demanding and tiring but at the same time very rewarding. He said that there are other routes to climb and experience the wall. There are apparently buses which will bring you from one tower to another and also there is an option to ride a cable car. Although these are pretty easy routes, it is the most touristy options. The trek that we will take are far from the collection of tourists and we will be able to experience both the restored and the untouched areas---hence the tag 'GREAT



Although we were aware of the challenges ahead, we started walking up the stairs of the Great Wall with 'GREAT ENTHUSIASM'.

[blockquote source="travelchinaguide.com"]The Great Wall was originally built in the Spring and Autumn, and Warring States Periods as a defensive fortification by the three states: Yan, Zhao and Qin. It went through constant extensions and repairs in later dynasties. It began as independent walls for different states when it was first built, and did not become the "Great" wall until the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north. Since then, the Wall has served as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history.[/blockquote]

Knowing the history of the Great Wall I was overwhelmed the moment I first stepped on it. This has been standing for centuries and became a witness of a number of victories, deaths and defeats. I can just imagine the time when it was being constructed. They said aside from war, people died building the wall that's supposed to save them.

 



The Great Wall at Jinshanling is one of the best preserved parts of the wall with many original features still intact. It is a remote and relatively isolated section of the Great Wall and has not been repaired since 1570

Being one of the remotest sections of the wall, it was really a delight for our group to explore every bits and parts of it. I made this trek pre-selfie craze (and pre GoPro), I can just imagine how it would have been if we already have the gadgets that we are using today.

I brought my iPod (it was helpful) which gave a bit of a musical score in every step that I took and also my old Nokia phone which I don't know the reason why I had it.





I love that although we have a guide, we can freely take our time in walking. With the scenic views surrounding us (literally from everywhere), we surely need to take all in and don't want to miss anything.

After a few kilometers, exhaustion kicked in. It was summer in China that time and we were hiking at the top of the wall at noon (I think you can already imagine that). But meeting new friends and supporting one another was another aspect that this trip became very memorable.



Moving forward, climbing 100 step stairs to reach towers after towers, I started to get a glimpse of how huge the wall is. Although debunked, there was a time when everyone thought that you can see the Great Wall of China from the moon.

When our guide told us that what we were seeing on one side is Mongolia, it felt so surreal. You can hear a lot of ooooos and wows whenever we would pass a tower and see what is awaiting for us on the next segment of the trip.







[blockquote source="chinatravel.com"]There are three special features that sets Simatai Great Wall apart, and which surely contributed to the UNESCO decision to recognize this section of the Great Wall as a unique cultural heritage: it incorporates special style elements from the numerous other sections of the Great Wall; it has preserved, for the most part, its original Ming period refortification (this is the original work commissioned by General Qi Jiguang), both of which features make the Simatai section a uniquely representative section of the Ming period Great Wall); and the military crews that conducted the work commissioned by General Qi left their mark on the wall, quite literally, in the form of stamps that identified the individual military unit..[/blockquote]

Aside from the Jinshanling, we also climbed the Simatai section of the Great Wall of China. As mentioned at the beginning of the blog, I took this trip last 2008 and I was fortunate to experience the full hike of the Simatai Great Wall. Since 2010, it was announced that the Simatai trail will be closed for restoration and now only the west section of the wall is open for the public. Compared to the Jinshanling, Simatai has narrower and steeper trails. In 1987, it was acknowledged by UNESCO as one the World Heritage Sites, something I was excited about when I heard that (my University thesis was about Heritage Conservation ^^).







After climbing around 30 watchtowers on a zigzag rough trail and almost 6 hours of hike, I was not sure if I will be excited to know that we will start our way down the wall. First, it meant that we finished exploring and it's time to say bye, and second, I think I can't walk anymore further, even if gravity will help.

But to our surprise, if we spent 6 hours hiking up, we will only spend 6 minutes going down----------BY A ZIP LINE! (and it is known as one of the must-try zip lines in the world).



 



It was an awesome trip and for sure I will tell my grandchildren that I was able to climb 'That Famous Wall'. And to cap the whole trip, I got a medal proving that I have survived the whole hike (I paid for it, but well, I can still use it to brag).

Do you want to know how to make this trip happen? Watch this space, I will share information on HOW TO MAKE THIS TRIP HAPPEN soon.

Original Blog Post Dated: 27 May 2008

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My dear friend Joan gave this rubber stamp as a gift from her trip in Guangzhou China. I used it immediately in today’s bazaar. ^^

Kung hei fat choi!

I really love everything Chinese..most especially the food and the people. I don’t know why, but i really have a soft spot in my heart for China.

To all my Chinese friends, Kung hei fat choi!!! Please send me a box of tikoy!!!!!!

China Town Singapore Jan 2012

Binondo (Manila China Town) Dec 2011

Beijing 2008

the GREAT SHANGHAI adventure

Well well..i think this is the highlight of my stay here in SHANGHAI…

it happened the weekend of MAY 17 and 18….

i saw a blog in the internet by slcboston (thanks thanks) entilted HOW TO SIGHT SEE IN SHANGHAI ON FOOT

so i thought..why not??

so here’s what’s on the blog.

"if you’re planning on visiting Shanghai, then you already know it’s really a large city. But the good news is that, much of it is accessible on foot, provided you’re willing to do a little walking (yep yep ..i am willing hehe)…Arm yourself with a good map , usually found at one of the better hotels, plan accordingly, and you can have a fun day without spending much on transportation.

INSTRUCTIONS

things you need:
-a good map (check)
-local currency (check)
-good walking shoes (check)

1. Start in people’s square. you can get there via the metro (subway) system in shanghai, which makes it a convenient starting point ( i printed a map of the subway…ayus). there are a number of things to see, including the pigeons which were specifically imported to be in display in the square.

2. From the square, hear over to Nanjing Road. you’ll want to head towards the river, which is easy enough to find because its between People’s Square and the Bund, Nanjing Road is pedestrial only. its very wide, and there are a lot of shops and resto, as its one of Shanghai’s major shopping centers

3. At the far end of Nanjing Road, where the pedestrian only access stops and the traffic starts, is a semi-famous statue of, essentially ,shoppers. lots of people, both tourists and locals , will be taking their pictures here, so no reason for you not to do so as well.

4. you’ll now be at the Bund, the historic side of the river in shanghai. there are plenty of old buildings here to photograph, though most of them have been refurbished on the inside (hhmmmm i think they need my architectural conservation skills here..). you can also walk along the river here.

5. cross the river. the easiest way to do that is to either take the ferry, or pay the money for the sight seeing tunnel under the river (i did the tunnel cause i can’t find the ferry). the ferry is cheaper. and its a better value, as you get to see both sides of shanghai at once

6. now you’re in Pudong (still shanghai, but the other side of he river). Its more upscale, and there’s less traditional tourist things to do, but the tallest building in the world is under construction there , as well as the shanghai’s iconic pearl tower.

During my little adventure, I met a lot of people. This is what I love about traveling. Meeting people and listening to their own adventures also.

Really tiring but all worth it! So if you are planning to tour around Shanghai, i gladly recommend this.

Shanghai Harbour......launching of a new career?.....heheh

After a very long day of doing my THE GREAT SHANGHAI ADVENTURE…from being the attraction seeker, it shifted as the sun said goodbye, i became the attraction.

I was so blessed to meet these guys last week, and now, as for my last weekend in here Shanghai, i granted their wish, to sing with them—NAKS

I really had fun entertaining the crowd. I felt at-home—-NAKS ulet

This restaurant is very famous to some of the elites and celebrities of Shanghai (as what i’ve been told). The of the whole harbour was superb at the same time it is just adjacent to the famous Shanghai Pearl Tower. —what do you think? should i shift career?