Cotai, often hailed as the Las Vegas of Asia, is a vibrant hub in Macau. The area captivates visitors with its dazzling array of attractions. Spanning a compact 5-mile radius, the region boasts around 30 unique casinos, each offering more than just gambling. During my visit, I chose to forgo the gambling floors. Instead, immersing myself in the awe-inspiring architecture and lavish amenities of the grand hotels. Each one provides a unique experience, truly highlighting what Cotai has to offer.
The Cotai main strip is worth a visit, even if it’s just to stroll along the roads and admire the extravagant casinos. This was my aim when visiting the area, as the photographs don’t do the strip justice. Some casinos are miniature replicas of famous cities like Venice, London, and Paris. Though these were incredible to see, my favourite was Studio City. This casino was less extravagant than the other hotels, but I appreciated it because I didn’t feel out of place. Even though I visited in January, the hotel was decked out in the most incredible Christmas decorations that were themed around mischievous gingerbread men (I’m sorry this blog post is late).
Asian travel destinations never fail to amaze me, and I will be putting Macau on the list of great places to spend the Christmas holidays. Apart from the amazing decor, Studio City has the most fun Ferris wheel in the middle of the building. I’m sad that I couldn’t get tickets for my visit, but it’s a unique way to view Cotai. Inside the hotel was a massive shopping mall, where I discovered a fantastic Taiwanese restaurant. Though I may have forgotten the name, I have fond memories of the dumpling and vegetarian xiaolongbao food coma.
Interestingly, after lunch, whilst I was having a snooze in the handbag of doom, my photographer accidentally encountered a K-Pop celebrity, Taemin. Suddenly, a group of enthusiastic superfans surrounded us, and until this point, we were blissfully unaware of the celebrity’s presence. If anyone could explain what a K-pop is, I’d love to know!
One of the standout experiences of my stay in Macau was hidden in the Venetian Casino: the stunning TeamLabs exhibit. While it’s not hidden in Cotai, very few humans were visiting, making the experience feel intimate. I previously visited the Singapore exhibit but didn’t get the hype, mainly because it was overcrowded and I was hungry. But that’s a story for another time.
The TeamLabs in Macau, however, is not only visually stunning but also a sensory masterpiece. I will happily take back my negative comments about TeamLabs. Team Veganosaurus are fond of art but sometimes finds normal galleries a bit boring. TeamLabs makes art fun, but I was sad that some areas were only for children (like the slides). Each room had a different theme, and the rooms mimicked the scents of the art installations on the walls. The floral room made me feel like I was meandering through an enchanting field of floating flowers.
Some areas evoked a mix of emotions for me, like the room where giant Chinese characters were being penned. That space struck a chord, bringing a tinge of sadness, while my photographer experienced an unusual peace there. That’s the beauty of art—it speaks to everyone differently!
I enjoyed the challenge of locating each exhibit room; I don’t think I managed to see everything since some rooms were concealed behind curtains that blended in with the art. I’m so glad I managed to find that vibrant and fun giant ball pit (though everything seems giant when you are only 32 cm tall!).
One of the best experiences was a room where I could indulge myself in ice cream and sip green tea in the dark, surrounded by luminous flowers and butterflies that danced around my cup. Occasionally, luminous flowers and butterflies would land in my tea, enhancing its floral flavour.
But my absolute favourite room? The orchid room! This stunning new addition enveloped me entirely. Live orchids hung from the ceiling, and the room was a mirror, creating the illusion that the room extended infinitely, surrounded by a sea of orchids in every colour.
As I wandered through, the flowers seemed to gracefully part for me, a spellbinding dance of nature that was nothing short of magical. No matter how close I got, the orchids seemed to move out of my way, some drifting up and others down; I could never touch them. I will always remember the delicate floral scent that filled the room; the aroma of the orchids was simply exquisite.
Klook.comBefore we wrapped up our trip, we made a special visit to the room on my photographer’s vision board for five long years—a breathtaking mirrored lightroom. I wish I knew its official name, but it felt like stepping into another reality. The sheer size of the space was astonishing, and the lights danced and twinkled in the most enchanting way. It was mesmerising how the glow gradually faded and reappeared in new, captivating patterns. It gave me a feeling of floating in a boundless universe.
Afterwards, my stomach led me to an inviting Italian restaurant in the Venetian for dinner. Full of pizza, I ventured over to the Parisian and onto the vibrant Cotai Strip, eager to see the Eiffel Tower and other dazzling casinos illuminated against the night sky. Standing below the Eiffel Tower, I couldn’t help but chuckle—it was a mirror image of Blackpool Tower!
Next, I walked along the Cotai strip to the City of Dreams, a colossal hotel and shopping haven. Inside, I found several shiny supercars amidst a sea of enthusiastic characters trying to lure visitors into gambling or catching a show. However, this was my least favourite casino; it felt touristy and overwhelming.
I also visited the Londoner because we all know that you can take a person out of England, but they will always find something English, no matter what country they are in (a perfect example is my photographer). Strolling through, I soaked in the nostalgic tunes of ‘90s Britpop that wafted through the air. The Londoner quickly became my favourite spot; it was a love letter to all things British. At the entrance was a stunning replica of the Queen’s golden carriage, and the shops were bursting with high-end English brands like Burberry. Louis Vuitton had a charming tiny wooden Beefeater guarding the shop — a cute addition to the shopping mall.
When it came to dining, I found the restaurants here delicious and, surprisingly, a bit more affordable than those at other hotels. Kicking off my day with a wonderful breakfast of Avocado on Toast at Lord Stowe’s Bakery, surrounded by walls adorned with vintage vinyl records. Surprisingly, I spotted Cilla Black’s photo gracing one wall!
For my last meal in Macau, I headed to Churchill’s, indulging in a doorstop-sized sandwich alongside a plant pot overflowing with crisps. My highlight was sipping homemade ginger ale— it brought back fond memories of a beloved elderly relative’s recipe. Before heading to the airport, I couldn’t resist grabbing a couple of massive, freshly baked scones from Churchill’s small bakery. They were the perfect sweet farewell to my adventure!
