Holiday Inn Express Macau City Centre, an IHG Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Macau City Centre, an IHG Hotel Overview

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw Holiday Inn Express Macau City Centre tucked away on Avenida Do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, I wasn’t expecting much. I mean, it’s a Holiday Inn Express, right? But you know what surprised me? This place actually gets what travelers need, especially if you’re trying to balance being close to the action without paying those insane Cotai Strip prices.

The location is honestly perfect if you want to feel like you’re experiencing real Macau, not just the casino bubble. You’re walking distance from Senado Square – maybe 10 minutes if you don’t get distracted by the egg tart shops along the way (and trust me, you will). The staff at check-in spoke decent English, which was a relief, and they actually seemed to know the neighborhood well enough to give solid restaurant recommendations. The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from a modern Holiday Inn Express – clean, functional, decent shower pressure – but here’s the thing that made me appreciate it: the soundproofing is surprisingly good. Macau can get pretty loud, especially around the historic areas with all the tour groups, but I slept well even with the windows facing the street.

What really won me over was how the hotel fits into the neighborhood. You’re not stuck in some sterile tower where you need to take a shuttle everywhere. There’s a local wet market about two blocks away that comes alive early morning – the kind of place where you can grab fresh fruit and watch actual Macau residents go about their day. The nearby streets have these great little cafes serving Portuguese coffee that’s way better than the hotel breakfast (though honestly, the included breakfast isn’t bad – standard Holiday Inn fare with some local touches). I found myself using the hotel as a base to explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are all walkable from here, then heading back to freshen up before dinner. The elevators are quick, the WiFi actually works throughout the building, and there’s something refreshing about staying somewhere that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to be fancy. The 8.6 rating makes sense – it’s not luxury, but it delivers on what it promises without any unpleasant surprises. If you’re the type who wants to experience Macau beyond just the casinos and don’t mind a slightly quieter area that still puts you in the heart of things, this place hits that sweet spot perfectly.

Facilities