Hotel Central
A restored vintage boutique in Macau’s historic center
Opened in 1928 and formerly known as the President Hotel, it was one of the first licensed casinos in Macau and featured the city's first elevator. It was also known as the “tallest landmark of the Portuguese Empire” as it grew to 11 stories over the years. After an eight-year, ground-up reconstruction and restoration, Hotel Central reopened in 2024 in the heart of Macau's historic center. With floors of themed rooms from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the hotel’s accommodations give architectural nods to those eras while offering every modern luxury imaginable.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Since Hotel Central was rebuilt from the ground up, details may look vintage, but they are, assuredly, the most modern available. Windows feature triple-glazed glass for sound insulation from busy streets below and rooms come with easy-to-use toggle switches that link to an app.
- The luxury hotel prides itself on being outside the Macau norm and offers guests access to unique services, including a cheongsam (traditional long dress) and vintage clothing rental service, butler service and anything else they can dream up.
- The ground floor, home to the concierge and luggage services, has a stunning mosaic-tile desk and inlaid floor that pay homage to the building’s past. Guests take the elevator to the fourth floor for check-in as well as the restaurant and bar. The property offers historical tours six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, tours between 1 and 3 p.m. are recommended to see a wide selection of rooms during the period between checkout and check-in.
- Historical narratives are woven into every space, allowing guests to interact with the hotel’s backstory in the most authentic way possible. The lobby, for instance, is filled with artifacts from various eras, including a typewriter, phonograph and magnifying glass, all technological advancements of their time.
- Don’t miss the rooftop observation deck that features a panoramic view of Macau.
The Rooms
- Hotel Central pulls out all the stops when it comes to in-room amenities, offering a complimentary mini-bar with local artisanal treats such as Portuguese wine. If you love waking up to the smell of just-brewed coffee, you'll delight in the fresh beans, hand-operated grinder and brew pot that come in every room.
- Six floors of the 11-story building feature accommodations. Comfortably appointed, these rooms transport guests back through the decades, starting with the 1920s. On the fifth and sixth floors, the ceilings are lower and the space showcases a minimalist design that's big on functionality. The lights are bright and the plugs are where they are supposed to be. Vintage-inspired wood veneers and gray-green textured paint also conjure thoughts of a bygone era.
- The 1930s rooms span the seventh and eighth floors and feature a fusion of Western and Chinese details, accompanied by vintage newspapers and magazines. These accommodations are the largest, with some even featuring balconies and claw-foot tubs.
- The 1940s are alive on the ninth and 10th floors. Rooms borrow from the exterior's mint-green color and have a richer palette of accents, including white, deep gold and antique bronze, which contrast with a wall of vintage photographs.
- Expect an excellent night's sleep since the Macau hotel stocks its king-size beds with the Deep Sleep Gel Zero Pressure Pillow and an extra-long down pillow. The former will keep you cool in the SAR’s humid climate while the latter acts as a companion to side sleepers and those who like to read in bed.
Amenities
Bar
Restaurants
Getting There
Macau Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Nos. 270, Macau, China
TEL853-2828-6668
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
MFM (12-20 min)
Hotel Central
