We recently had the opportunity to enjoy a short stay at the Pousada de Mong Ha in the unspoilt northern part of the Macau peninsula.
This hotel takes the form of a traditional Portugese Pousada, complete with an abundant garden setting that includes lovely and well tended herb gardens as well as flowering shrubs and shade trees. Inside the main building it was gratifying to discover light wells with water features and traditional blue and white tiled surrounds.
We stayed in one of the Pousada’s suites, and were impressed with the style, size and décor of our accommodation. Our suite comprised an entrance hall with polished timer flooring, king bedroom with its own private balcony, ensuite bathroom with full size bath and shower and a separate sitting room with its own balcony overlooking the gardens.
One issue that separates this accommodation from all others in Macau is that it is a part of the teaching facilities of the Macau Institute of (IFT).
This meant that most of the people that we dealt with were students with a huge incentive to perform their tasks efficiently, professionally and with a welcoming demeanour to all guests.
The breakfast restaurant is beautifully presented and offers a high quality buffet breakfast that covers the needs of people from a range of cultures.
There is also an “Educational Restaurant” attached to the facility where it is possible for guests ad others to enjoy lunch, high tea and dinner with a mix of excellently prepared Portugese and Maccan menu choices, along with a staggering array of Portugese wines to accompany the meal.
The Pousada is located high on the Mong Ha hill. As a result the task of transferring luggage from the main street at the bottom of the hill up to reception could present a challenge. For this reason, we would recommend a cab from your point of arrival into Macau (either the airport or ferry terminal) up to reception when you first step foot in Macau.
The local bus service is excellent for travelling around Macau and the islands of Coloane and Taipa. We decided to purchase a Macau Card (bus pass) to ensure that we had easy access to all buses in the Macau region. The cost of this is approximately 130 Macau patacas, which includes a 30 Macau pataca deposit. Given that the Macau currency is linked to the Hong Kong dollar, this wasn’t a great impost. Whilst it would be cheaper to pay on a trip by trip basis, there is a need to carry the correct fare in local currency for bus travel without the card.
Note that Mong Ha is located well away from the glitz and glamour of Macau’s casinos – providing us with freedom from the noise, bustle and mayhem of these icons of greed and the quick buck.
