[Macau, Hong Kong 2016] Galaxy Macau

By Elin Chow - Sunday, June 12, 2016

Photo By: Elin Chow
Official Website: Galaxy Macau

Opened in May 2011, the vast Galaxy Macau complex is a fully integrated world class resort, offering a plethora of luxurious 5-star accommodations, dining and entertainment options.

Galaxy Macau initially started with just three hotel brands - the Singapore operated 254 suites Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, Japanese owned 410 rooms Okura Hotels and Resorts and of course, the 1,500 rooms five-star Galaxy Hotel Macau.

In 2015, three new hotels brands were added to its collection  - The Ritz Carlton Macau, JW Marriot Macau and Broadway Hotel, making it the largest resort complex facility in Macau. The 250 suites Ritz Carlton Macau is its first all-suite hotel property in the world and the JW Marriot Macau is the largest hotel of its brand in Asia with 1,000 rooms. Designed for family travelers, the new Broadway Hotel is connected through a link bridge from Galaxy Macau, offering 320 rooms.

With six world-class hotel brands under its collection, the Galaxy Macau offers close to 4,000 rooms, suites and villas in total, bringing guests a diverse range of lavish hospitality experience!

Upon arriving at Taipa Outer Ferry Terminal. we boarded the complimentary shuttle bus to Galaxy Macau. The shuttle bus dropped us off at the main lobby Galaxy Hotel Macau.

Set in a sprawling white-and-gold complex of low-rises and high-rises towers, the palatial structure of Galaxy Macau is definitely built to impress. The massive structure consists of two linear form of twin towers, each with a large central spine and smaller spines on each end. Located atop the two towers are six cupolas covered by 24-carats gold leaf, four of which measured 15 meters and the other two measured 24 meters in height. The amount of gold leaf used to cover the cupolas would be enough to cover 87 football pitches.

From afar, the golden cupolas of Galaxy Macau gleams brightly under the sunny blue sky. With gold plated windows, the shimmering gold complex was incredibly mesmerizing, making it one of the most recognized landmark on Macau skyline.

The cupolas feature a nightly laser light show named Galaxy Laserama - an outdoor light show claimed to be the largest in the world and is visible across Macau. The show starts at 7.15 pm to 10.45 pm every night, projecting laser beam into the sky every 15 minutes. But unfortunately, we did not get to watch the show because we spent most of nights trying our luck at the casino.

The minute you stepped into the complex of Galaxy Macau, the VIP treatment begins. Dragging our luggage behind, we enter through a massive lobby featuring the Fortune Diamond as its centrepiece.


The Fortune Diamond show is undoubtedly, one of the most stunning feature in Galaxy Macau. As the music begins, a 3 metres tall gigantic neon diamond gradually rise behind a water curtain with flashing color lights right under the crystal chandeliers. While in the air, the diamond spins and sparkles like the roulette table, symbolizing abounding prosperity and good fortune. The show is free and is presented every half an hour in the hotel lobby of Galaxy Macau.

The entire complex of Galaxy Macau is beautifully furnished, strikingly grand and delightedly spacious. As I walked into the hotel lobby, I felt under-dressed, wearing a denim shirt and shorts with a pair of sneakers, and I told my husband that we had made the right choice. Now I believe why people always say that first impression really matters.


 The Promenade shopping centre features over 200 luxury and high-street lifestyle retail brands including 30 first-to-Macau brands such as Alexander McQueen, Georg Jensen, Delvaux, Harry Winston, Maje, Moncler, Mulberry, Proenza Schouler, Roger Viver, Sandro and many more.

Other than that, the Promenade also offer over 120 restaurants, bars and lounges, including eight Michelin standard restaurants. Covered by 22,600 square-meters Italian marble, the ultra-luxurious interior offers an incredibly luxury experience in Macau

A security deposit of HKD 1000 per night is required upon arrival for incidentals. The deposit is fully refundable upon check-out and can be pay by either cash or credit card. However, we were told that the refund will take approximately two weeks to process, which we felt was a little too long. Even so, we still opted to pay by credit card because this will enable us to make use of the hotel's express check-out service at the end of our stay. The express check-out service allowed us to check out of our room, and return the keys, without having to queue or wait. All we need to do is to drop our room key card into the check-out box and we were good to go.


After confirming our booking and made the payment for the security deposit, we collected our room card keys and proceeded straight to our room located on the 32th floor. Access to floors is via room card operated lifts. Guests will need their room key card to access the lifts.


The lift lobby at the ground level is decorated with crystal-trimmed chandeliers, giving the space an elegant and luxurious atmosphere.


While walking to our room,  we noticed that there was a vending machine and ice cubes dispensing machine on each floor. Guests can purchase drinks and snacks from the vending machine or get some free ice from the ice cubes dispensing machine at any time of the day. Prices are a little steep but expected, especially in such a touristy place like this.

Unlike most other hotels we had stayed in, the Galaxy Hotel Macau does not provide "Do Not Disturb" or "Please Make Up My Room"door hangers. Instead, the hotel had electronic buttons on the wall for "Do Not Disturb" and "Please Make Up My Room". When pressed, a red or green light will be lit up outside the door of the room to communicate with the housekeeping staffs. For guests who do not want anyone to disturb them, please press the red button, and if room cleaning service is needed, please press the green button.

Measuring 44 square meters in size, the Galaxy room is lavishly furnished with carpeted flooring and best-in-class amenities. The luxurious and spacious room is equipped with a king sized bed, a private en-suite bathroom, built-in closet, a small seating area and a complimentary mini bar. Modernly decorated, the room can sleep up to 3 persons and is perfect for couples or a small family looking for a cozy stay.



The bed and pillows were very clean and comfortable. We enjoyed good nights of sleep throughout our stay.

The room features high ceiling and large floor to ceiling window, boasting stunning views of either the city or the resort and giving the room an abundance of natural light.


Other in-room amenities also includes a 42-inch flat screen TV with cable channels and pay-per view movies, as well as connectivity options for personal devices. Free unlimited WiFi is also available throughout the entire Galaxy Macau complex.


Other than that, the room is equipped with AM/FM radio, alarm clock and multiple power points by the desk and bed - just great for those who have lots of gadgets to charge.


In addition to that, the room also features a complimentary fully-stocked mini bar.

The mini bar is stocked with 2 cans of beers, 4 cans of soft drinks, a small can of Pringles and a cup noodles. These items are complimentary per stay. Guests can enjoy the first round of drinks for free but will be charge for any replenishment for any of these items.



The room also comes with complimentary 4 bottles of mineral water replenished daily. Basic coffee and tea making facilities are provided in the room as well. There is also an ice bucket for guests to get ice from the ice dispensing machine.



In the cabinet, guests will find sets of glasses and a wine opener.

The room has an open-plan bathroom, right next to the bed, enclosed by a large glass window diving the bathroom and bedroom that left the shower in full view.


I love the wooden sliding door that separate the bedroom and bathroom. However, there was no lock on the door, which I did not mind since I am sharing the room with my husband. I would mind if I am sharing the room with someone who I am not romantically-involved with.

The fully fitted marble bathroom is spotlessly clean and beautifully furnished with tempered glass counter top.


Luxuriously decorated, the spacious bathroom features a separate stone walk-in shower, a bathtub and toilet cubicle.

There were sufficient towels provided for every guests as well. The towels were very thick, soft and clean.


The bathroom also have an adjustable wall mounted magnifying mirror for applying makeup or shaving. There was even an electronic weighing machine for guests to keep track of their weight while on a holiday.


The bathroom is stocked with a generous amount of toiletries. Range of toiletries provided includes shower caps, combs, cotton buds and pads, sewing kits, shaving kits, disposable toothbrush and small tubes of Colgate toothpaste.


Apart from that, the bathroom is also equipped with shampoo, hair conditioner, shower gel and body lotion, which will be replenished daily.


I am surprised that the hotel even provides a bath loofah for the purpose of exfoliating! 


The room features a large built-in wardrobe, offering ample of storage for our clothes and bags. Other room amenities also includes hair dryer, in-room safe box and bath robes. 

Open from 8 am to 10 pm daily, the Grand Resort deck is a perfect area for families with young children to enjoy a fun day together. Now a magnificent 75,000 square meters in size, the Grand Resort deck boasts a 350 tonnes white sand beach and 4,000 square meter wave pool, making it the largest rooftop wave pool in the world.

Access to the Grand Resort deck is restricted exclusively to hotel guests staying at one of the six hotels in Galaxy Macau. The hotel staffs will ask for your room number upon reaching the entrance of the Grand Resort deck. You will only be allowed to enter the area after they confirmed your details.

Besides that, there are five other pools across the three hotels surrounded by tropical gardens, private cabanas and traditional Japanese tea pavilions, including three sizable Jacuzzi. The Grand Resort deck features a 575 meters long sky-top Adventure Rapids, which is also the longest sky top aquatic adventure river ride in the world. Other water features also includes an exciting water park with exhilarating water slides, beach lagoons, white water rapids, waterfalls and a kidz Island with 300 meters of water-based fun specially catered for younger kids.

With a wide variety of things to do for both kids and adults, the Grand Resort deck is great place to relax, enjoy the summer sun and have fun. 

The complex of Galaxy Macau becomes even more stunning at night when it is beautifully illuminated after dark.

The Galaxy Macau's casino is expansive. It is divided into five areas with over 600 gaming tables and 1,200 slots machines and other electronic gaming machines. The casino is accessible without charge and there is a minimum age requirement of 21 for all visitors. Only Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) and Macau Patacas (MOP) are accepted, but guests can exchange money either at the casino's counters or nearby banks.


Besides the Fortune Diamond, the wishing crystals housed at crystal lobby is another attraction of Galaxy Macau. Stepping into the crystal lobby, visitors will be greeted  a series of colorful giant crystals that floats above a shimmering pool. The crystals have adopted advanced motion sensor technology that triggers special visual effects when guests walk near to the crystals. Symbols of good luck will flash from the crystals and reflect in the water below when all the crystals are activated.

Exiting from the Crystal Lobby, guests will find the free shuttle buses provided by Galaxy Macau.

The Galaxy Macau free shuttle buses will get you to most of the major casinos and into town. However, do expected long queues, especially in the morning. Most of the buses offer free WiFi on board so that we can stay connected at all times.

Breakfast is not included in the room rate and is available at a charge. Buffet breakfast is served at Festiva restaurant located on the ground floor from 7 am to 10 am daily. The restaurant is very spacious and has an ability to accommodate 380 persons. Tables are very big and well spaced, offering a good level of privacy and space.


The buffet breakfast at Festiva restaurant offers a wide variety of Asian specialties and international cuisines. The restaurant served the standard breakfast fare like any other hotels - scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages , potatoes, congee, varieties of bread for toasting, cereals, dim sums and fruits. It was satisfying, but choices are a little bit limited. We actually have a higher expectation, so we were disappointed.
 
Overall, we have a wonderful time staying at Galaxy Hotel Macau. This is by far, the best hotel experience we ever had. We were deeply impressed with the excellent service and hospitality offered by the Galaxy Macau.The staffs were very friendly and always greeted us with a smile whenever they see us. Most of the staffs spoke fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese, so we did not have much problem communicating with them.

The hotel offer everything you will need for a comfortable stay. Enjoy, relax and be pampered by lavish hospitality and amazing facilities. Guests who stayed at Galaxy Hotel Macau will basically get the best of both worlds -  plenty of family bonding time with your kids and quality alone time with your other half. I would recommend this hotel to anyone looking for quality accommodation and service in Macau.

Price wise, the room was actually a little bit too expensive for our budget, but worth every penny. The hotel has far exceeded our expectation in many ways! For anyone who are interested to book this hotel for your trip to Macau, I would advise you to avoid staying on a weekend. This is because most of the hotel prices in Macau doubled during the weekend or even get fully booked, which also explained why we decided to visit Hong Kong on our first and second nights of our trip even though we flew in to Macau.

Be sure to follow me on my Facebook or Twitter to get the latest updates on my Macau trip! Also, do not forget to share my blog posts with your family and friends if you find them helpful. In the meantime, you might also want to check My Wanderlust page for some of my other travel adventures.

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