What's so good about this place? The central atrium is jaw-dropping. A cavernous, glass-roofed cavity — "the Spectacle" serves as central public space, linking the casino, shopping arcades and assorted restaurants. Wall-to-wall screens beam a series of shifting landscapes and at its centre is a 26-foot tall chocolate fountain, sprouting from chocolatier Janice Wong's shop. There is something Willy Wonka about the whole thing.
And the bad? The windows look out on to reclaimed land, now mostly building site. I had a view of the Wyn Palace gondola and the giant construction of the Grand Lisboa Palace hotel. What's in the neighbourhood? Cotai strip is home to Macau's mega-casinos. A scale replica of the Eiffel Tower and Venice's Piazza San Marco, just across from the hotel, add another layer of novelty and disorientation. If you can draw yourself away from the bright lights, go to Taipa village. (Not the one near Cable Bay.) It is a charming mishmash of colonial Portuguese, Chinese old town and delicious street food.
Food and drink: AJI is the hotel's star restaurant, serving Nikkei Peruvian sushi. Normally there is no phrase more stomach churning than "fusion food", yet the highly spiced, elegantly presented plates are mouth-watering. If you are feeling less adventurous, there are four restaurants serving Chinese cuisine and even a franchise from MasterChef's Graham Elliot.
Bathroom: The bathroom was extremely well equipped, with both a bath and separate shower unit. Also not one but two sinks. However, I did manage to set off the fire alarm at six in the morning with escaping steam from the shower.
Free Wi-Fi? Yes
Noise: Mostly me.
Exercise facilities: As an extension of the MGM entertainment empire, the gym offered a variety of classes. This included "surf simulation" and yoga more ways than you can shake a chakra at.
Contact: MGM Cotai, Avenida da Nave Desportiva, Cotai, Macau
The bottom line: Perfect for a wild weekend away on the Cotai strip.
