The Bottom Line
It’s fair to say that the battle for Macau’s best casino currently boils down to The Venetian Macau vs City of Dreams Macau.
The City of Dreams Macau is a one of a new breed of mega, casino resorts in the city and with its round the clock entertainment, high end hotels and gourmet restaurants it aims to be a destination for tourists looking to relax as well as gamblers.
If you’re looking for a Vegas style resort in Macau, the City of Dreams Macau is a little more stylish than the faux cobblestones and gondoliers of the Venetian across the road. In addition to unrivalled dining and accommodation options, 42,000 sq feet of gaming floor also means there is more than enough action to keep you and your wallet happy.
Pros
- Best hotels in the city
- Gourmet restaurants
- Stylish design
- Bright and friendly gaming floors
Cons
- Prices can be high
- Lack of star shows
- Poor all round entertainment
Description
- Address: Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau
- Transport: Free bus from Macau Ferry Terminal
- Check Rates at the Crown Tower Hotel
- Check Rates at the Hard Rock Hotel
- Opening Hours: Twenty four hours
Guide Review - City of Dreams Macau
Stuck in a staring contest across the Cotai Strip, the Venetian is the world’s biggest casino and pretty much a carbon copy of its sister Venetian in Vegas. Its gondolas, canals and maze of shops delivered Macau’s first true Las Vegas style resort casino, moving away from the backrooms and black suits that once dominated the Macau casino scene.
The City of Dreams Macau aims to be smarter, younger and hipper. If Ocean’s 14 was set in Macau, this is where you’d find George Clooney sipping cocktails.
The resort itself has an MTV design, a beautiful combination of sweeping, artistic interiors, bold lighting and contemporary furnishings while accommodation and dining are high end affairs. While entertainment, accommodation and dining are all in abundance, they are aimed at a slightly older, more discerning crowd. It’s all squarely aimed at couples, groups of guys, or girls, and there is relatively little on offer for families.
City of Dreams Entertainment
The blockbuster entertainment at the City of Dreams Macau is the House of Dancing Water - an action packed and unique water based show in the casino. Part synchronized swimming, part Evil Knievil it's a breathtaking spectacle that has received rave audience reviews.
Also on site is the Dragon's Treasure, a 10min light and sound show popular with the kids - as is the Kid City inside the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel. There are also a handful of more adult themed lounge shows which are largely mediocre.
If you can peel yourself way from the tables, your free time is best spent in the restaurants. There is little of the all you can eat, free for all buffets seen in Vegas or the Venetian across the road; the emphasis here is on fine dining and the five ‘signature restaurants’ are jaw droopingly stylish with sleek interiors where dressing up, not dow,n is expected. The reward for ironing your shirt and hunting down a tie is truly superb food, from local Cantonese favourites at Treasure Palace to the steaks at Horizons.
Accommodation at the City of Dreams Macau
Accommodation is also unrivalled. In the Hard Rock Hotel and Crown Towers the City of Dreams Macau is probably home to Macau’s two best hotels, the Mandarin Oriental accepted. Rooms at the Crown Towers are fitted with Ottomans and marble bathrooms and are spruced up daily with fresh flowers. Firmly in the sheiks and stock brokers price category, it’s a fantastic stay, if you can afford it.
At the business end of the City of Dreams Macau is the casino and gaming floor and gamblers won’t be disappointed. There is over 420,000 square feet of gaming on offer, including 520 tables and 1350 machines. Well lit and relaxed it’s an easy place to become comfortable and empty your wallet.
