Embibe Macau & the The Versace of Hotels (Literally)
We said earlier in the magazine that Versace is for winners, for the famous and beautiful. I’m at least one of those things and I won’t say which. But you can immerse yourself in the embodiment of all of them next time you’re in Macau. Versace has just opened 12 floors and 271 rooms worth of opulence at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau.
Versace has successfully transplanted the spirit of the Italian Palazzo in the heart of Macau. The facade is all baroque and greek architecture with similar classic aesthetics winding throughout its interiors. The lobby alone has 80,000 hand-laid enamel mosaic tiles by Fantini Mosaici, fourth-generation Milanese artisans. Versace’s iconic Medusa head is accompanied by chrysanthemums and an ornate dragon to properly make a nod at its host nation.
Amenities include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a wellness retreat, personal training studio, and two Italian restaurants. We recommend lunch at the La Scala del Palazzo for an authentic Italian coffee. Or perhaps instead choose from their extensive wine collection. Dinner at the Don Alfonso 1890 is a must as it showcases the traditions of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. A steady hand by Head Chef Federico Pucci insures you enjoy a southern Italian meal fresh from farm-to-table crafted with fresh produce from Le Peracciole, the restaurant’s own farm in Punta Campanella.
You’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re even in China, as Versace appears to have spared no expense in digging up a bit of the Italian coast and dumping it in Macau.
Wing Lei Bar
Not far From Macau’s International Airport is the Wing Lei Bar ast the Wynn Palace. It’s a quiet corner but perfect for a wind-down from a long trip. The mixologists are attentive and consistently knock it out of the park with the cocktails they whip up. The drinks were designed by Master Mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini, known as one of the best bartenders in the world after cutting her teeth on the artform in Las Vegas, but that won’t stop your tender going off-script to make you something truly personal.
Jade Dragon
Jade Dragon is a lavish three Michelin star restaurant dripping with Chinese art and tradition, it regularly makes it onto the top lists of restaurants in Asia. The decor alone is a draw before even getting to the cantonese cuisine with modern twists. The best way to get the measure of the place is by ordering some Dim Sum, otherwise a standout option is the Iberico pork barbecued over lychee wood.
Robuchon au Dôme
The only other three Michelin star restaurant in Macau is the Robuchon au Dôme, which has held it’s stars for 16 years straight. It’s in a premier location sitting inside the dome of the Grand Lisboa Hotel and offers stunning views of the city while you peruse Asia’s most extensive and exclusive wine collection with over 17,800 labels on hand. That is if you can peel your eyes away from the gigantic crystal chandelier centerpiece hanging from the dome. It’s made of over 131,500 pieces of Swarovski.
The menu is handled by the world’s most Michelin-starred chef Joël Robuchon and offers the best of French gastronomic cuisine. It turns out the best place to get French food is in Asia.
Feng Wei Ju
Swanning around French restaurants in Macau is all well and good but if you’re here you better immerse yourself in the taste of the country. Feng Wei Ju is a two star Michelin restaurant that delivers an authentic flavour of Sichuan and Hunan food from central China. Expect hot and spicy flavours with Hand-pulled noodles and sautéed chicken with peanuts and chilli. Or get the Braised Pork Belly “Mao” Style, which are thick cubes of pork belly cooked for two hours over low heat in a broth of cinnamon, herbs, peppers and other spices. I’m getting hungry just writing this.
Sky 21
If you took the last page to heart and are packing your bags for the Grand Lisboa right now put the Sky 21 Bar & Restaurant on your Macau bucket list. It’s not far from the hotel. It’s located inside the AIA building and the numeral in its name should give away what floor it’s on. It’s right at the top with some incredible panoramic views of Macau and Taipa via a wrap around balcony outside. It’s a little bit hot outside in the summer so better get them to mix you something super refreshing. It’s recommended to call ahead if you were hoping to book a table for dinner, as foot traffic through here can be inconsistent, so best not to be caught off guard. Personally I’d just recommend popping in here for the view for a photo op and a quick drink.