If you are looking for a weekend getaway, without the stress and hassle of airports and long transfers, The Grand Lapa in Macau offers a resort-style atmosphere for some much needed rest and relaxation.
We recently enjoyed a night away with the family to experience what the Grand Lapa has to offer as a weekend destination. We headed over on the 12pm ferry from Hong Kong, arriving into Macau an hour later, and thanks to the hotel pick-up service, we were checked in by 1.30 – the whole journey involved minimal fuss and hassle.
Located on the Cotai Strip, The Grand Lapa is a historic hotel with a colonial feel. Inside, you are greeted by the sight of a huge sweeping staircase, chandeliers and ornate furnishings and a distinctly luxury vibe.
Traveling with two boys aged 5 and 7 can sometimes prove a challenge in hotels where interconnecting rooms are often hard to book, so we were delighted to be offered a two bedroom suite complete with two bathrooms and a living room. But with stomachs growling, we dropped our bags and headed straight for lunch.
There are several dining options at the Grand Lapa, but for lunch, we visited the hotel’s renowned Thai restaurant, Naam and enjoyed Thai delicacies designed to impress both adults and children alike. The boys both demolished their specially designed children’s platter, which had been created with delicate palates in mind.
For adults, this chef’s signature lobster dish was not only beautifully presented, but the lightly spiced curry complemented the delicate flavour of the lobster.
We also tried a selection of traditional appetisers, curries as well as traditional desserts including mango with sticky rice. The restaurant’s interior offers a refined, colonial-style setting but is also welcoming to families.
Alternative dining options are mainly centred around Cafe Bellavista which offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and the hotel’s dim sum restaurant: Kam Lai Heen. The buffets at Cafe Bellavista showcase an array of authentic Portuguese and Macanese dishes alongside international favourites, with a seafood buffet available throughout the weekend and afternoon tea served each afternoon. Kam Lai Heen is a stylish restaurant and serves traditional Cantonese dishes as well as delicate dim sum treats, which are available every lunchtime.
The facilities at the Grand Lapa centre around the hotel’s huge pool. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation with a large deck, jacuzzi and water slide, the pool was a huge hit with our boys, who couldn’t get enough and must have clocked up over 50 goes each. For little ones, the pool has a shallow area perfect for splashing about, and the jacuzzi is an ideal spot to kick back and relax.
If you are craving a little bit of time without the children, the hotel offers Kids Co., a kids club, with fully trained staff and a wide array of toys, activities, video games suitable for children aged 3-12 years. Each guest receives two hours complimentary access included per day, so if you are looking for an excuse to head to the spa, this is it!
The spa is set in lush, tropical gardens and in addition to treatment rooms, also offers steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. I enjoyed a 60 minute aromatherapy massage, with a great therapist who worked her magic on removing all the knots and aches.
The rooms at the Grand Lapa are incredibly spacious, although a little tired in terms of decor. However we had ample space and the boys certainly enjoyed their huge king size bed and enormous television – we even managed to experience a once in a year lie-in beyond 7am!
Overall, the Grand Lapa makes it easy to enjoy a quick trip away from Hong Kong with minimal hassle. Everything you need is at the hotel, but if you want to venture out and explore, the Cotai Strip is on your doorstep. The huge pool makes it a winner for children, while adults can enjoy some real rest and relaxation at the spa. Just 24 hours away from home and we all returned back to Hong Kong feeling refreshed and recharged.
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