By Rama Gaind.
| Stop over at The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel was short, but the memories will last forever. |
Splendid, wide-sweeping views from the Deluxe Royale Suite at The Venetian Macao. Photo: Rama Gaind
The year 2020 is like no other. Travelling had allowed you to become so many different versions of yourself, but the global Coronavirus lockdown has put an end to that, for the immediate future, at least.
While the travel industry as we knew it may never be the same again, when you stop and look around – and reflect – you realise that life is pretty amazing. What’s more, don’t quit daydreaming … and planning for your next adventure. One day soon, we will all get a chance to discover new places on our bucket lists and return to visit treasured destinations.
Retail therapy is like no other at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Macao. Photo: Rama Gaind
In the meantime, I’d like to reminisce about an overnight stay at The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. I will never forget the ‘wow’ factor: classic, opulent, ostentatious, lavish, expansive, comfortable, relaxing – and enjoyable. The Venetian Macao is in a category all its own.
Enter a world where grand accommodation, luxury designers, endless entertainment and delicious dining coexist calmly and wholly. The sheer size of The Venetian Macao alone means there’s something for everyone here. On arrival, check-in goes efficiently, staff is kind and welcoming and what’s wonderful is no detail is disregarded.
Grand pillars and paintings at The Venetian Macao. Photo: Rama Gaind
The Venetian is a 39-storey casino hotel on the Cotai Strip in Macao that houses the largest casino in the world. At 1,050 square metres, it is Asia’s largest hotel resort and is the second largest building in the world. It contains a hotel, casino, exhibition services, entertainment facilities, a shopping centre and international restaurants.
The Venetian Macao is synonymous with pioneering thinking, outstanding service and amenities beyond compare. The 3,000-suite integrated resort features stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. A re-creation of the renowned Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, it is twice the size of its sister property and also features the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena, the opulent Venetian Theatre, upscale gaming entertainment facilities and one of the largest convention, meeting and exhibition centres in the region.
In-house discovery
Raymond and Bank were quick to offer assistance at The Venetian Macao.
Photo: Rama Gaind
I knew at the outset that time was not on my side. No way was I going to be able to explore all of the many remarkable attractions that both The Venetian and, indeed, Macao had to offer. I wasn’t even going to be able to scratch the surface of the many wonderful delectable haunts and secrets during my sojourn at the resort. My shoe shuffle walking ‘cruise’ did not even cover a third of the complex!
The sprawling affluent complex is designed to impress. You’ll not tire of being serenaded by real gondoliers at The Venetian Macao. The blockbuster attraction is its network of canals. Just like the canals at the original property in Las Vegas (as in Venice itself), these are patrolled by gondolas manned by gondoliers warbling out familiar tunes like Amore and Volare.
See the sky on the inside. Among the most unique features of The Venetian Macau is the painted sky above the canals. It is truly breathtaking. Artist Karen Kristin used more than 200 gallons of water-based acrylic paint to create the 105,000-square-feet faux sky.
The interior of The Venetian Macao is eye-catching. Photo: Rama Gaind
You get the chance to see if lady luck is on your side at the world’s biggest casino, rent a cabana in the pool area or you can indulge in the best kind of retail therapy and shop like the stars at the Grand Canal Shoppes.
Nowhere in Asia are there more up-market shops crammed into a single space than the Shoppes, the largest indoor mall in Macao. A red carpet line-up includes Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. The price tags are expensive and there are few bargains, but window-shopping is top-notch.
A style lover’s dream come true, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian is a leading destination for Las Vegas shopping extravagance featuring over 160 signature stores with dozens of expensive brands. Cobblestone walkways are canopied with illuminated painted ceilings of clouds drifting by on a blue sky … as if you are strolling the piazza in Venice. The Grand Canal travels through the centre of the Shoppes for a quarter mile inviting passersby on a gondola voyage to remember.
Trust the Venetian Macao to achieve the impossible: an endless supply of things to see and do.
Amazing attention to detail is evident in the frescos at The Venetian Macao. Photo: Rama Gaind
Next time
This time round I had to forgo the opportunity to reacquaint myself with some amazing experiences like the adventurous ride on the Macao Tower. An opportunity will come again to visit such popular sites as the 15th century A-Ma Temple, Fisherman’s Wharf, Taipa Village (one of the best preserved parts of Macao), the ruins of St. Paul’s (an iconic church façade and religious museum), public square with shopping and dining at the Senado Square, Monte Fort (17th century fort with a rooftop park) and Pak Tai Temple.
Until my return, I’ll have to concentrate on remembering the ephemeral moments that will be the most precious in years to come.
Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta correctly said: “Luxury to me is not about buying expensive things; it’s about living in a way where you appreciate things”.
Rama Gaind was a guest of The Venetian Macao.
DETAILS BOX
The Venetian Macao
s/n Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Macao
T: +853 2882 8888
