What’s it like to stay at Macau’s Grand Lisboa Palace? Eat, shop and relax at this newcomer to the city’s luxury hotel scene, alongside The Karl Lagerfeld and soon-to-be-opened Palazzo Versace Macau

Mar 29 , 2023

Macau’s luxury resort Grand Lisboa Palace is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. Photo: Derry Sio

Over the past three years, Macau quietly opened a handful of new luxury hotels from behind its closed borders. Fortunately, the situation has changed drastically over the past few months, and the “Las Vegas of Asia’s” hotels, casinos and famous Cotai strip are buzzing with tourists once again.

Tourism is returning to Macau’s hotels and casinos after the city eased Covid-19 restrictions. Photo: Imaginechina

One of the newcomers in Macau’s expanding skyline is the majestic Grand Lisboa Palace – the latest milestone development of SJM Resorts. Inspired by monumental European buildings of the Neoclassical to Belle Époque periods and traditional Chinese motifs, the Grand Lisboa Palace is one of three new and distinct luxury hotel towers – the other two being the world’s first The Karl Lagerfeld and soon to be opened Palazzo Versace Macau.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new hotel …

East-meets-West aesthetic

The Grand Lisboa Palace in Macau certainly lives up to its name with its imposing presence. Photo: Handout

Even in the company of two luxury fashion-branded hotels, the Grand Lisboa Palace certainly stands out on its own. Located a short walk from the city’s bustling strip, the hotel’s East-meets-West aesthetic is a celebration of the city’s unique cultural identity and maritime history, complemented by bespoke art pieces depicting both old and new Macau.

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The colourful Junior Suite with Garden View at the Grand Lisboa Palace, Macau. Photo: Derry Sio

While the city is a gambling hotspot famous for its casinos, the Grand Lisboa Palace also offers a picturesque luxury experience that’s worthy of a staycation (or holiday) itself – even if you’re not one for endless games of blackjack.

The Spa at Grand Lisboa Palace is opulent indeed. Photo: Derry Sio

With its spacious suites and rooms offering stunning views of the resort’s luscious green gardens, along with 12 private treatment suites at the The Spa at Grand Lisboa Palace, you’d be forgiven for not wanting to leave the property and enjoy some relaxation and pampering instead.

Shop till you drop

The Grand Lisboa in Macau is surrounded by greenery. Photo: Handout

For shoppers seeking a luxurious retail experience, The Bazaar at Grand Lisboa Palace has more than 100 fashion and lifestyle brands, spanning an unexpected 807,300 sq ft on the first and second levels of the resort. That’s around 15 football fields!

It’s almost hard to believe there is so much shopping tucked away right underneath your room and the shopping space seems endless as you initially walk through.

The Bazaar also showcases the best of Macau’s local brands at the “Made in Macau” space that sells home-grown products – everything from modern AI technology to traditional home-made noodles.

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Macau’s latest dining destination

Grand Lisboa Palace’s The Grand Buffet comes equipped with live cooking stations that prepare global cuisines. Photo: Handout

Foodies are in for a treat, with the integrated resort offering a diverse array of award-winning cuisines from around the world. Nothing says “post-pandemic” more than a bustling buffet – and that’s exactly what you can expect at The Grand Buffet at Grand Lisboa Palace.

There are 12 live cooking stations on offer with a diverse array of dishes from all across China and Southeast Asia, including authentic specialities from Malaysia, Singapore and India.

Palace Garden is Grand Lisboa Palace’s own restaurant brand that offers a tasting menu of Cantonese delicacies. Photo: Handout

For a fine dining experience, look no further than the Grand Lisboa Palace’s home-grown restaurant brand, Palace Garden, renowned for its authentic Cantonese cuisine. Helmed by head chef Ken Chong, the whimsical restaurant was awarded a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant award this year. The tasting menu is highly recommended for a full dining experience.

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There are lots of dining options within the Grand Lisboa Palace, from buffets to fine dining. Photo: Derry Sio

Chalou pays homage to Canton’s traditional teahouse culture; Zuicho serves up Japanese cuisine and Hua Ting offers culinary traditions of old Shanghai, to name just a few. In other words, there are plenty of options all under one roof (again, you’ll be forgiven for not leaving the resort).

What we loved most about our stay …

The lofty lobby at the Grand Lisboa Palace. Photo: Handout

Considering the Macau borders have been closed until recently and the hotel only opened in 2021, everything about the property feels new and fresh. The spacious gardens and large suites offer the perfect ambience to relax and unwind away from the chaos of nearby Hong Kong.

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How to get there from Hong Kong

Casinos and hotels stand illuminated at night on the Cotai strip in Macau. Photo: Bloomberg

To get to Macau from Hong Kong, ferries depart from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or the Kowloon China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. Two high-speed ferry operators, TurboJet and Cotai Water Jet, take passengers to different parts of Macau in around one hour.

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Asia travel

Macau’s borders were closed until recently and the Grand Lisboa Palace only opened in 2021, so everything at the majestic hotel – the latest milestone development of SJM Resorts – still feels very new
Eat and shop your way through this world-class resort from dining at its five-star Cantonese restaurant Palace Garden or indulging in retail therapy at The Bazaar