Best Five-Pearl Hotels in Macau

Banyan Tree Macau has the distinction of being the first high-rise resort in Macau, and the hotel's immense, shimmering gold facade sets the tone for what is an unmistakably opulent stay. Banyan Tree's seriously high-end and spacious suites -- starting at 1,075 square feet -- span over 30 floors. All have private plunge pools, espresso machines, and well-stocked minibars. Large bathrooms come with Japanese wooden tubs for two, double showers, and Japanese-style automated toilets, plus villas add steam rooms. Leisure and spa facilities are some of the best in town (Banyan Tree is part of the two-billion-dollar Galaxy Macau resort complex). Dining is excellent, but options are limited, though scores of eateries are located in the wider complex. Overall, it's hands-down one of the most impressive resort hotels in the area -- and one of the most expensive. 

The 213-room Mandarin Oriental Macau is one of the best luxury options in the area for those who can afford it. Its modern and polished rooms include minibars, Nespresso coffee machines, and big LCD flat-screen TVs with on-demand content (but not Banyan Tree's private plunge pools). The light marble bathrooms are especially luxurious, with double sinks, walk-in showers, and separate soaking tubs. Flat-screen TVs are installed in all bathrooms and generous amenity kits are provided. Property highlights at this posh hotel include a chic restaurant serving Asian cuisine and cocktails, an outdoor pool with sea views, and a spa offering a variety of pampering treatments. The luxury hotel is connected to the exclusive One Central Macau, a shopping mall with Cartier, Tom Ford, and Louis Vuitton boutiques.

JW Marriott Macau is a polished luxury chain hotel set in Cotai Strip's multibillion dollar Galaxy Macau complex. (With more than 1,000 guest rooms, this is the largest JW Marriott hotel in Asia.) Spacious rooms start at 485 square feet, plus their floor-to-ceiling windows ensure lots of natural light and spectacular city views from higher floors. In-room amenities are suitably high-end, with 52-inch flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, Bose Bluetooth speakers, and reliable free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are impressive with separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers, high-tech toilets, and mirrors inset with TVs. Guests have access to the complex's Grand Resort Deck -- a huge elevated area with a wave pool, splash parks, sandy beach, and the world's longest river ride of its kind. The hotel also features one of the best kids' clubs in Macau, plus a deluxe spa with lap pool, steam room, and therapy pools.

At 1,500 rooms and suites, the ritzy Galaxy Hotel in the Galaxy Macau complex is certainly one of the largest hotels in the area. Its scale can also mean it's a challenge to navigate the vast layout and large crowds. Rooms provide free in-room minibars and flat-screen TVs, while some suites add spacious whirlpool tubs. Galaxy isn't as luxe as the pricier Banyan Tree across the way, and it doesn't have a spa (Banyan Tree, Mandarin Oriental, and JW Marriott all do). 

With its grand, neoclassical flourishes and gold exterior, Hotel Okura Macau looks similar to several other nearby properties -- but inside, it's quite different. The atmosphere and decor is distinctly Japanese, starting with the immaculate and uncluttered reception area, decorated with polished stone, natural wood, and abstract sculptures. Polite and efficient staff, some wearing traditional kimonos, set the understated but upscale tone, and low lighting adds to the overriding serene vibe. Still, the hotel is housed in the multibillion-dollar Galaxy Macau complex on the Vegas-like Cotai Strip, so guests have access to its wealth of restaurants and leisure activities. The property's 488 guest rooms are spacious and well-equipped, and they have impressive bathrooms that feature separate tubs with integrated TVs. On-site perks include a heated indoor infinity pool and a Japanese restaurant with stunning views, but, like Galaxy Hotel, there's no spa here.