Macau cheap hotels - Finding a nice inexpensive hotel in Asia's gambling capital

With its influx of luxury hotels and glitzy casino developments, Macau has recently started to gain a reputation for being an expensive city, where low budget travelers have nothing to look for, and where cheap hotels are nothing but rundown brothels…

In reality, however, nothing is further from the truth than that assumption… Macau is better geared for the budget minded traveler than many cities around the region (including its metropolitan neighbor, Hong Kong) and cheap hotels in Macau will normally provide quite a good bang for your buck.  Moreover, reasonably priced restaurants and tourist attractions in Macau are not as hard to find as in other international cities...

This article will take you through the best of Macau cheap hotels:

• Hotel Ko wah

Strategically located on nostalgic Rua da Felicidade, just a short stroll from Senado Square, St. Augustine's Church and many other attractions and heritage sites, this popular accommodation is something between a hotel and an upgraded guesthouse, and although it is mostly associated with backpackers, it boasts some very nice rooms that are just as good as in any other Macau cheap hotel.

The Ko Wah has gone through renovations just a short while ago, so its 28 guestrooms are all in pretty good state, and come with most of the amenities you would find in a hotel of such standard (or even slightly better): air-condition, ensuite bathroom and the rest of it…

Add to this a friendly and helpful staff and you will understand why this place has become one of Macau's most popular cheap hotels.

• East Asia Hotel

East Asia Hotel enjoys a great location on a small street in the city centre, just a few minutes walk from most of Macau's places of interest, which together with it's very moderate rates, makes it one of the most popular cheap hotels in Macau.

As you might expect from a Macau cheap hotel, there's nothing ostentatious about the amenities, and the staff hardly speaks English, but the rooms are quite decent, and come with most of the expected facilities, like air-condition, mini fridge, TV, phone and the likes, as well as a fairly reasonable ensuite bathroom

If you're going to spend most of your time outside the hotel, and your expectations are in line with your budget, than staying at this Macau cheap hotel is certainly one of your best options.

• Hotel SanVa

If you prefer character to convenience, than staying at the SanVa is something you may want to consider…

Priding itself for being Macau's oldest existing guesthouse, this hundred years old property is located at the lower end of nostalgic Rua da Felicidade, just a few minutes walk from most of Macau's heritage sites and entertainment venues, and although the rooms and their amenities are not something to write home about (most of which are not air-conditioned and only have shared bathrooms), the hotel is full of charisma and history…

Try to book the balcony rooms, as they are the most charming…

• Ole London Hotel

The recently renewed Ole London is one of the most popular cheap hotels in Macau, and stands at the high end of Macau cheap hotels: Meaning that while it may be slightly too expensive for backpackers, it is an excellent choice for budget travelers who want to find a decent accommodation at a fair price (Especially if you are planning to explore the city, rather than to just spend most of your day within the hotel…).

Strategically located in the area of Porto Interior, just a short walking distance from Senado Square and most of the other attractions, this Macau cheap hotel boasts 60 nicely decorated ensuite rooms that are quite comfortable (although somewhat small) and come with air condition, as well as with most of the facilities you can expect to find in a hotel of such standard.

Gamblers who want to visit the cluster of casinos around Hotel Lisboa will not have to walk more than 15-20 minutes, or take a short taxi ride…

• Hotel Sintra

Although the Sintra is a leap above the average cheap hotel in Macau, this very popular hotel offers special rates and reductions quite regularly, so it's worth checking them out, even if their rack rate is above your budget…

Fantastically located at the heart of Macau town, just around the corner from the Lisboa, and a short walk from Senado Square, the Sintra boasts extremely spacious rooms that are properly equipped with all the amenities you would normally expect from a semi luxurious or even luxurious hotel…

Hotel facilities are quite limited, but as long as your idea of a holiday in Macau does not include lazing around the pool, the Sintra might be the right choice for you.