Grand Emperor
This crown-themed 288-room hotel welcomes you to ‘New' Macau, with a gold chariot at the entrance, doormen dressed as Buckingham Palace guards and myriad chandeliers and mirrors. The rooms are more subtly decorated, with wall-mounted plasma screen TV, large bathrooms with walk-in rainforest shower. Facilities include a business centre, fitness centre and five floors of gaming rooms and slot machines.

288 Avenida Comercial De Macau
Tel: 2888 9988.
Website: www.grandemperor.com
Price: $$-$$$

Mandarin Oriental
Located at the eastern end of Avenida da Amizade, this luxury hotel stands back from the Sands casino and across from Fisherman's Wharf. Although it occasionally shows its age, it offers comfortable, well-appointed rooms, excellent Italian and Thai restaurants, brand shopping, health spa and a lavishly landscaped outdoor swimming pool and deck terrace.

956-1110 Avenida da Amizade
Tel: 2856 7888.
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Price: $$$-$$$$

Pousada Sao Tiago
Small and cosy, this traditional Portuguese pousada offers a homely sense of pared-down style that contrasts agreeably from the city's large luxury palaces.  Entering the lobby is like stepping back into colonial Macau, and the large simply-styled 24 rooms and suites look out over the 17th-century fortress. For those with matrimonial ambitions, there's even an on-site wedding chapel.

Avenida da Republica, Fortaleza Sao Tiago de Barra
Tel: 2837 8111.
Website: www.saotiago.com.mo  
Price: $$$-$$$$

San Va Hotel
This cheap and cheerful traditional-style guesthouse is well located in the heart of downtown on the historic Happiness Street. The 39 rooms are simple but clean and comfortable, and some of the doubles and twins have en-suite shower and bathroom.

Rua da Felicidade 65-67
Tel: 2857 3701.
Website: www.sanvahotel.com
Price: $

The Westin Resort Coloane
Set amid leafy gardens and overlooking a black sand beach and bay, this laid-back Coloane Island retreat has long been favoured by Hong Kong's movie set and celebrity visitors seeking some serious solitude. Each room has a sea or beach view and overlooks the landscaped swimming pool and gardens. There's an excellent spa and the adjoining championship-standard golf club features a driving range from which you can belt balls into the sea.

1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, Coloane
Tel: 2887 1111.
Website: www.westin.com/macau
Price: $$$-$$$$

Wynn Macau 
Opened in late-2006, this giant hotel and gaming resort brings a true touch of Las Vegas largesse to Macau. The 600 spacious rooms and suites are tastefully decorated in chocolate and caramel tones, with ultra-modern in-room facilities. Phase one also features a vast ground-floor casino, plus the top-floor VIP Sky casino spa, conference rooms, luxury brand shopping mall and two fine dining restaurants, Il Teatro and Wing Lei. Phase two, opening in late 2007, will add a theatre, third casino and luxury apartments.

Rua Cidade de Sintra 
Tel: 2888 9966.
Website: www.wynnmacau.com  
Price: $$$$