Macau was the first European settlement in Asia, and was also the last to be handed back to its original owners. It was a Portuguese colony for many centuries, and this unique mix of cultures has left its mark in everything from the local food, to dialects, people's appearances, and of course, the city's architecture. The mix of European and Chinese influences creates a dramatic and very special atmosphere in Macau, that any new buildings must match, or risk looking like a sparrow among peacocks. However, hotels in Macau, especially luxury establishments, have more than matched the demands of local architecture, with their special designs and imported materials. We look at some of the luxury hotels in Macau with the most striking architectural design.
Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 is one of the newest hotels in Macau, and perhaps one with an architectural spirit truest to the city's history. The architects that designed Sofitel Macau kept the imagery that reminds guests of Macau's distinct heritage, at the forefront of their minds. Arcades, arches, cornices, string lines and masonry are all used to unite Chinese and European styles. Special designs like a diagonal spine beginning at one corner of the plaza in front of the hotel which carries foot traffic into this Macau hotel; diagonal armature within both Sofitel Macau and Ponte 16, and artistic plays of light, space and texture within the Ponte 16 complex housing the luxury hotel make for a uniquely modern twist on Macau's history.
The Chinese part of Macau's heritage brings rich, warm colors into the city's scenery - this can be seen in the architect's choice of reds and gold for neighboring buildings in Ponte 16. This special design continues within the hotel also, with the rich browns and creams encroaching into every guest rooms, and vibrant blues and gold accenting the public spaces in the luxury Macau hotel. Water was an inspirational theme for the architects at Sofitel Macau, and the same flowing energy comes into guest rooms here. Rooms are organized with a natural ease, and luxury is as concentrated in the bathrooms (with L'Occitane bathroom products, a rainforest style shower, Jacuzzi and separate bath) as it is in the sleeping area. French impressionist art helps create an aura of ultra-luxe decadence in the peaceful halls here.
The Westin Resort Macau is another luxury Macau hotel with a unique and special design, although you need the perspective of distance to be able to appreciate it. The entire hotel creeps up the mountain, in an homage to Macau's mountainous terrain. Chinese elements are incorporated beautifully into the architecture, like small bridges across the Macau hotel's pool. It is set on 150 acres of well-maintained greenery, so in a sense captures the true, natural Macau that existed before European settlement. Rich blues, browns and purples abound in the guests rooms here, in imitation of Sofitel Macau's opulence.
The Venetian Macau is perhaps the most European in design of the luxury Macau hotels. Foyers filled with gold paint, rich reds and royal blues are the norm here, and the hotel itself is an enormous tower, which fits 3,000 spacious suites with canopy-draped queen size beds, sunken living rooms and marble bathrooms. The technology of the Venetian Macau is another aspect of its luxury - there are two large television, high speed, wireless internet access, personal silent fax/printer/copiers, and in-suite safes also.
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