Banyan Tree Macau

Since the former Portuguese colony of Macau reverted to Chinese control in 1999, the territory has quickly surpassed Las Vegas in gaming revenue. Posh and enormous international properties continue to sprout in the brand new landfill area called Cotai Strip, which connects the islands of Taipa and Coloane.

Opened in September 2011, the Banyan Tree is one of three hotels that make up the $1.9 billion Galaxy Macau complex in the Cotai zone. True to the Banyan Tree brand, the property manages to cultivate a tranquil environment in the midst of a high-rise, glitzy milieu (the six cupolas on the Galaxy towers are adorned in 24-carat gold).

All 227 Banyan Tree suites feature super-long relaxation pools built for two (or more) that are positioned snug up to the picture windows for maximum city viewing. When not immersed there, couples have the option of soaking in a traditional wooden tub.

Deep crimson accents in the walls and fabrics, dark wood furnishings, and divans with brocade pillows give a traditional Asian feel. A different fragrance is put into incense burners each day of the week. On the modern side of things, all rooms come with intelligent toilets and lighting. Suites range in size from 1,100 to 1,400 square feet.

There are 29 villas of which ten are pool villas large enough for wedding parties, and breakfast service is provided daily in the private garden. Sky Villas have gourmet kitchens, while in an additional 11 spa suites the treatments come to you.

Belon Oyster Bar and Grill has the look of a contemporary art gallery, with sinuous booths that run its length, as well as private dining rooms. Innovative dishes include lobster with peanuts, and a watermelon, kaffir lime infusion.

Couples preferring Thai cuisine can head to Saffron for sampler dishes such as khong wang ruam mitr (grilled fish cake, spiced chicken wrapped in fried pandan leaf, crispy rice noodle-wrapped prawns and grilled chicken satay). Saffron serves both western and Asian breakfast (a la carte or buffet), as well as afternoon tea. The lobby level Banyan Lounge is also open for afternoon tea or evening cocktails. The pool area Cabana serves light foods. For those seeking even more variety, the entire Galaxy hotel complex has no fewer than 35 restaurants.

Banyan Tree can accommodate either western or Chinese style weddings and the property's team of planners works with couples to build a menu as per wish. Chinese banquets include barbecued suckling pig and an array of traditional soups and seafood dishes. Wedding packages include cake, flower arrangements, and guidance in selecting music. The Intimacy package includes a personalized menu for each table, as well as 8-hour limousine service, and a 90-minute couples treatment in a complimentary Spa Suite.

The Banyan Tree’s Intimate Moment honeymoon package includes a souvenir, cake, and wine or champagne along with a rose petal setting in their private suite's relaxation pool.

The 5th floor outdoor pool has private cabanas. The Galaxy complex’s skywave pool is said to be the biggest rooftop pool in the world, with white sand brought in to form a 500-foot-long beach.

There are spa rooms on both the 2nd and 21st floors, whose therapists get holistic training at the Banyan Tree company’s own academy. For couples, the Rainmist steam bath treatment includes a body scrub.

For those wishing a quiet evening in, the library lends the latest in Asian cinema (or the Galaxy complex has an onsite 3D cinema; look for movie night packages).

Shoppers will find indigenous arts in the Banyan Tree Gallery, or they can opt for the upscale options like Van Cleef & Arpels and Piaget. Just outside the enormous gaming rooms in the Galaxy tower, a water show every thirty minutes draws a crowd. The onsite Macallan Whiskey Bar & Lounge not only has 350 whiskies, but is one of the most sophisticated environments in Macau.

With Macau being so compact, just about all top sites are conveniently near the Banyan Tree (and traffic is thankfully light). Across from the Galaxy complex, the Venetian Macau Casino Hotel has a city’s worth of entertainment options unto itself.

For those not into gaming, the Galaxy offers a Macau Discovery Tour that takes guests to the prime historic locations. Adventurous diners head to Coloane Village for outdoor seafood restaurants, or to quaint establishments like Restaurante Litoral for a lunch of Goan-and African-influenced Macanese cuisine.

For treats, try egg custards at Lord Stow’s, at the original bakery in Coloane, or the café in the Venetian. In addition to myriad Fifth Avenue style boutiques in the hotel arcades, couples will find plenty of antiques shops to peruse around St. Paul’s church in the old town. Among the seemingly limitless nightclubs all over Macau, the MGM’s low-lit Lion’s Bar has some of the top R&B and rock performers in town and makes for a great late-night drinks stop.

The enormity of the Galaxy complex means there’s a lot of humanity there. Those wishing to avoid kids may wish to skip the skytop wave pool (the cabana pool is quieter). Despite a prohibition on smoking in non-gaming public places, it’s a cultural norm to break the rule, and faint traces of tobacco can be detected on occasion in many high-end Macau hotels.

Banyan Tree is known for quiet, calm sophistication, mixing a sybaritic experience with the hyper-activity of the casino world. Walking from the property’s ground floor bamboo garden and water court, all the way through the dimmed hallways to your room is a practice in subdued living. Couples with a sustainable development bent will want to explore Banyan Tree’s programs on tree planting and conservation.

Banyan Tree Macau
Galaxy Macau Resort
Avenida Marginal Flor de Lotus, Cotai
Macau, China
Phone: 853-8883-8833
Official Hotel Website

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Search for a Flight to Hong Kong International Airport
Ferries depart hourly from Hong Kong airport to Macau; luggage is transferred directly and immigration entry takes place on Macau. Banyan Tree is a twenty-minute drive from the ferry terminal.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy .