What happens when two busy best friends finally sync their calendars and are able to spare a weekend to finally go on that girls’ trip? They’ll need to start planning a trip that’s short with enough things on the itinerary that will make them feel productive yet rested. Allow us to suggest a destination: Macau. Only four hours from Kuala Lumpur by air, it’s one of those destinations that often get eclipsed by a more popular neighbour—in their case, Hong Kong.
However, Macau has plenty to offer. It’s glitzy with a healthy amount of options for five-star palatial hotels, swanky Michelin restaurants, and shopping experiences, coupled with historical sightseeing spots and modern art exhibitions. It’s a balanced blend of old meets new, so you’ll feel cultured while walking along the cobblestoned paths and then pampered at a two-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant afterwards. That ticks all the boxes for a weekend girls’ trip already. To make the process even easier for you and your bestie, follow our three-day Macau itinerary—that we have personally experienced—listed below. Sit back and let us take the wheel for you.
Where to Stay
Look no further than the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. It’s located just 10 minutes away from the Macau International Airport and comes with its own complimentary shuttle bus—quicker than booking a taxi—so you can begin your trip right away. The hotel is palatial; it houses 1,350 rooms and suites spanning across two wings, and you can choose between views of the Cotai Strip or the gorgeous Jardim Secreto—the hotel’s “Secret Garden”. Personally, we’d pick the latter. There’s nothing quite like waking up to a view of a manicured garden with its intricate maze-like trimmed hedges and grand dome.
They currently also have The Adventures of ALICE elements in the secret garden. It adds a touch of whimsy to the mazes in the garden, perfect for Instagrammable opportunities. But that’s not all the resort has to offer. The building also houses a shopping mall, and is connected to THE KARL LAGERFELD hotel as well as the Palazzo Versace Macau. This means that the number of restaurant options is threefold, and many of them are award-winning—including Mesa by José Avillez, Don Alfonso 1890, Zuicho, La Scala del Palazzo, and more.
Day 1
First days should always be easy, since you’ve likely woken up early for your flight and spent most of the day on the plane. After checking into your room, freshen up, and it’s time to take on Macau—leisurely. There are a few hours before dinnertime, so let’s check out a new art exhibition that’s just opened at the resort: “The Lisboa, Stories of Macau”. This immersive experience brings you through 500 years of Macau’s history, delving into the city’s unique multicultural heritage. Did you know that the Macanese Patois—also known as Patuá—is a critically endangered language that’s a substrate from Cantonese, Portuguese, Malay, and Sinhalese? You’ll discover this and more, including dioramas of what the old Macau town used to be like, at this exhibition.
Now that you girls have worked up an appetite after consuming all that history, it’s time for some pre-dinner drinks at Mesa by José Avillez. Take a gander at their signature cocktail menu. We tried two polar opposites: Holy Wood! is a spirit-forward cocktail made with Palo Santo-smoked whiskey, Campari, and rosso vermouth—a little like a Negroni—while Fruit Tare is a refreshing, sweet cocktail with an actual fruit tart as a garnish.
Once you’re done with your cocktails, it’s time for dinner. Mesa by José Avillez is a Portuguese restaurant with Macanese influences. It’s an offshoot of the restaurant by the same name in Portugal, helmed by the eponymous chef. Expect dishes like Piri Piri Chicken, Bok Choy with Clams and Bulhão Pato Broth, and Seafood Rice and Caviar to showcase those Portuguese-Macanese influences. Don’t forget to look up once in a while when dining—the animations on the ceiling are quite wondrous to behold. Thus ends your first day in Macau.
Day 2
Rise and shine, ladies—it’s your first full day in Macau, and it’s going to be eventful. Start your day with a nice swim. There is an indoor pool if you want to get out of the sun, but don’t skip out on the outdoor pool too—both are equally gorgeous, especially the mosaic detailing on the pool floors. Indulge in some breakfast from the comfort of your room by ordering in-room dining. We especially recommend the Macanese breakfast set that comes with all the classics, such as the pineapple bun and macaroni in soup.
Before you head out to the main town area, take some time to explore the “secret garden” you’ve been seeing from your room. It’s perfect for some Instagrammable shots of your trip with your bestie. After you’ve ticked that off your list, take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus to take you past the bridge and towards the central district of Macau. The agenda? Sightseeing. One of the best parts of the central town area is that most of the sights are walkable, plus there’s something quite charming about the cobblestone streets, multiple stairs, and steep roads that seem to twist into hidden alleyways. Take your time exploring, and don’t miss out on notable landmarks such as the Ruins of Saint Paul’s, Po Tsai House, and Senado Square.
When you’ve worked up an appetite from all that exploring, there’s only one thing to do: get a dim sum lunch. We recommend The Eight, a two-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant conveniently located at the Grand Lisboa Macau, which is fairly walkable from the Instagram-famous Rua Nova a Guia street. Explore a little more after lunch, or hop on the same shuttle bus to take you back to the Grand Lisboa Palace Macau. Take a nap and freshen up for a special dinner—it is, after all, your last night in Macau.
Go all out with a tasting menu at Don Alfonso 1890 for dinner. We couldn’t get enough of the glamorous Versace Villa-inspired interior at the restaurant. From the handcrafted terrazzo floors with rosette and flower motifs to the Rosenthal x Versace tableware and furniture pieces, Don Alfonso 1890 is a beautiful restaurant. The food is even better, and the tasting menu wraps up the experience with elevated, authentic flavours of Naples using a farm-to-table approach. If the mood allows, definitely opt for the wine pairing option. Our favourite part of the dinner was definitely when the affogato cart rolled out, and we could play a part in the crafting experience by choosing a liqueur of our choice to add to the espresso.
Day 3
Alas, all good trips must come to an end. But that doesn’t mean you and your BFF can’t go out with a bang. First things first: fueling up with a good buffet breakfast at The Grand Buffet. The selection is wide, from local to international cuisine; think freshly-steamed dim sum, wonton noodles at your beck and call, a small mountain of Portuguese egg tarts, deep-fried crullers to be had with soy milk, all washed down with Hong Kong-style milk tea. If your palate errs on the Western side that morning, no matter—The Grand Buffet has you covered too with a selection of cheeses, cold cuts, salads, pastries, and more.
Before you check out and head to the airport, it’s time to do some last-minute shopping. The cdf Macau Grand Lisboa Palace Shop has an extensive array of luxury beauty and fashion items, while NY8 New Yaohan has something for everyone in the family. With enough souvenirs for all (including yourself), it’s time to check out and leave for the airport. Now, wasn’t that a satisfying weekend trip with the bestie?
Experience it for yourself by booking a stay at the Grand Lisboa Palace Macau here.