Finding a place to stay in central Macau can be a real adventure. Like you'd expect, the crowds swell on the weekends. Hotel deals in Macau are hard to find, and often a bit sketchy. Cheap Macau hotels have a reputation as being unclean, cramped, and located in places that are, shall we say, questionable. But like Vegas or Amsterdam, sometimes the conventional wisdom is a bit exaggerated. But anyone looking for cheap hotel deals in Macau should probably be aware of the risks.
The point is: the difference between prices between the budget hotels in Macau versus the mid-range options is minimal enough that you should definitely consider the extra few dollars. That being said, there are a few decent budget options. The two main hostels on the island are both located on the beach, within walking distance of the majority of sights in Macau and a far better place to lay your head than the cheapest Macau hotels. The Vila Universal is probably your best bet amongst these budget lodgings, though the Pensao Nam In is also preferred by many.
But, if you are coming to Macau, the expectation is that you are there to gamble. And the expectation for gamblers is that they throw their money around. Thus, the mid-range Macau hotels are heavily discounted during weeknights and the low season. Cozy and relaxing, many with casinos downstairs. The Grandview Hotel is plenty cheap and right in the middle of the rambunctious Macau nightlife. The Sintra hotel tries its hand at resembling the colonial palaces built by the Portuguese, and does a pretty good job – it's hard to find someone who didn't enjoy their stay at the Sintra. Hotel Presidente is another good choice, as far as hotel deals in Macau go – a great location nearby the Grandview (though slightly more expensive).
But Macau is about bright lights and glamour and spoiling yourself. If you want to accomplish this while not stretching your money too far, the Kingsway Hotel has a flashy casino inside, excellent food, and a sauna that is the envy of the other Macau hotels. The Grandeur hotel does its best to live up to its name, complete with a revolving restaurant on the top floor.
But for a region known for its five star hotels, the Lisboa Hotel reigns over all of them. This is the glittering heart of Macau – the hotel on the postcards, the landmark around which the rest of the city is based. Looking delightfully like a reject from the Vegas Strip, when visitors say it is the only casino in Macau worth visiting, they aren't wrong. With thousands of rooms at astronomical rates, this is for the highest of the high rollers, or for those who wish to look like one for a weekend.
