The Venetian, Macao – Two Perspectives Review
His Perspective
Rating: 4/5
Would I go back: Yes
Would I recommend: Yes
Comments: Massive casino/hotel where it is easy to find gambling but hard to find a beer. At rooms are great and the pillows are nice.
Her Perspective
Rating: 5/5
Would I go back: Yes
Would I recommend: Yes
Comments: Great location and plenty of options for food and shopping. The rooms are huge and have great views.
Overview
The Venetian Macao is a luxury hotel and casino resort located on the Cotai Strip in Macao, China. Inspired by Venice, Italy, it features stunning replicas of Venetian landmarks, including canals, gondolas, and iconic architecture. The resort boasts over 3,000 spacious suites, each designed with opulent décor and modern amenities.The Venetian Macao is renowned for its vast gaming floor, one of the largest in the world, offering a wide range of table games and slot machines. In addition to the casino, the resort provides numerous entertainment options, including world-class shows, concerts, and sporting events.
Our Experiences
While we were checing in to the hotel, we were handed a fold-out map. I initially thought it was a map of the area to help you find the sights, but they explained that it was a map of the hotel. Yes, a fold-out map for the hotel. It is that big. Formerly the largest casino in the world, overtaken by the WinStar’s (Oklahoma, USA) expansion in 2024, this resort features everything you could ever want, except for a beer when you need one.
The Casino
Boasting an impressive 550,000 square feet (51,000 m2) of gaming space, the casino floor is expansive. Baccarat tables dominate the scene, complemented by a variety of other games including Craps (1 table), Roulette, slots, and numerous electronic games. Notably, we didn’t spot any Blackjack tables. While smoking is prohibited in the general casino area, designated smoking lounges are available around the perimeter of the floor.
Gambling in Macao seemed like a serious endeavor, more akin to a job than a form of entertainment. The atmosphere at most tables was subdued, and alcohol was notably absent. Instead, “cocktail” waitresses served coffee, tea, or juice to those who wanted it. We enjoyed leisurely strolling from table to table, people-watching for a few hours.
The Rooms
The rooms are incredibly spacious, almost as if we had booked a suite. Perhaps we were fortunate enough to receive an unannounced upgrade, but we were pleasantly surprised. Our room boasted a king-sized bed with ample space on either side, complemented by a separate living area furnished with a couch, coffee table, and its own television. The bathroom was equally impressive, featuring dual sinks, a bathtub, a separate shower, and a discreetly tucked-away toilet.
The bed was comfortable and the pillows were among the best we have ever had in a hotel. The view was amazing, overlooking part of the strip and then the mountains in the background. We can’t say enough about the rooms. Absolutely amazing.
The Shopping
Although we left without making any purchases, The Venetian offers a wide array of shopping options. From luxury retailers to more affordable stores, there’s something for everyone. We spent a few hours strolling through the shops and enjoying some window-shopping.
The Restaurants
So. Many. Options.
On the first floor, there is a bistro named McSorley’s Ale House. This was our go to place to grab a beer… when they were open. Open from noon to 10pm, they offer Western food and plenty of drink options. Unfortunately, they are not open late.
The second floor is where things get really interesting. Everyone has seen a food court in a shopping mall. All sorts of options stacked next to each other, each tasting like depression, and public seating in the middle. This is just like that, except SO much better. There are almost 30 different fast food places to choose from. We tried the Korean place, Xishangong, and it was so good that we went back the next day. Bonus: They have beer lol. We ate the Bulgogi and rice and Yaki Mandu. Both were amazing and large enough that we shared.
During another meal, we ventured to a beef spot in the same food court. Unfortunately, we don’t remember its name, but it claimed to serve Japanese A5 Wagyu steak. Having experienced authentic A5 Wagyu before, we decided to take a chance on this fast-food rendition. We ordered the Wagyu and a plate of beef with vegetables. The Wagyu was quite good—better than typical American steak but not quite matching the quality of authentic Wagyu we’ve had. The beef with vegetables, however, was extremely spicy, to the point where neither of us could finish it. We ended up sharing the Wagyu and carefully avoiding the spiciest parts of the other dish.
Location
The Venetian is part of an expansive complex of interconnected hotels owned by Las Vegas Sands, including The Parisian and The Londoner. Linked through indoor walkways, this vast space allows ample room to explore and effortlessly lose track of time.
The hotel offers free shuttles that run about every 20 minutes (from what we saw) to and from major areas like the Macao airport and the Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this hotel and do recommend you consider staying there if you plan to visit Macao.