Ole Tai Sam Un Hotel

Macau has plenty of massive hotels catering to everyone looking to gamble and party into the night's wee hours, but the three-pearl Ole Tai Sum Un Hotel is a tranquil, compact alternative. Housed in a five-story building located on a narrow street, this hotel won't inspire any long reveries on style, but the simple and straightforward ambiance creates a fine, low-key home base for exploring the city. The lobby has an eye-catching look, with plush purple furniture sitting under decorative silver disks, while just behind a beaded curtain there is a small restaurant where black-and-white floral patterned tables and colorful floral centerpieces create an attractive space to dine. There’s a small, black bar in the back of the room with only two stools where guests can order a drink. Overall this property is welcoming and cozy and isn't meant to be a destination where guests hang out all day long; it's suitable for couples, families, and groups of friends looking for a quality location on a budget.

This hotel's prime spot is one of its major selling points and makes it a great value for the area. It's surrounded by shops and restaurants on the Rua da Caldeira, which is a great area for experiencing local flavors at inexpensive prices. Rua da Caldeira feeds into the famous Rua Da Felicidade, a narrow street recognized for its traditional two-story, gray-brick buildings with tiled roofs and red window frames. It's a popular spots for tourists to visit and looks great on film. Nightlife on Senado Square is less than five minutes away on foot, and Macau's lively casino district is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The Ruins of St. Paul’s, a 17th-century landmark, is within a 10-minute walk and near plenty of other historic sights. The Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal is less than a 10-minute drive, and from there a ferry ride to Hong Kong takes about an hour. Both the Macau International Airport and the Cotai Strip, full of casinos and hotels, can be reached within a 15-minute drive.

Rooms at Ole Tai Sam Un Hotel are compact (Standard Rooms start at only 11 square meters, or 118 square feet), but their bright look keeps them from feeling truly cramped. With light wooden flooring, white bedding, light walls, and sleek, white closets, the aesthetic is modern and clean. Many rooms have taupe wallpaper with a damask pattern that adds a bit of visual flare. Otherwise, walls are mostly bare in these minimalist spaces, and there is no furniture beyond nightstand and small desks. All rooms have wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Electric kettles, tea bags, and free bottled water are provided as well as slippers and generous amenity kits with combs, shaving kits, and toothbrushes. Bathrooms are predictably compact, and frosted bathroom doors mean that privacy may not be up to everyone's standards. Some bathrooms have stand-up showers while others have shower/tub combos. Fixtures are modern and toiletries are provided.

This hotel doesn’t have a lot of features with the exception of its on-site restaurant that serves a buffet breakfast, though it's not included in room rates. There’s also a small bar where guests can order drinks. The hotel's location is one of its most desirable features, as it's surrounded by lots of shops and inexpensive restaurants, and near the famous Rua da Felicidade -- a photographer’s dream. Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the property. Babysitting and laundry services can be arranged.