When I was in Macau previously I signed up for the Sands Rewards, and about a month ago I received a text message saying “Oct FREE room offers: Stay in Macau Cotai Strip Holiday Inn 1 night in Weekday. First come first served. T&C Applies” followed by a phone number to call. I called directly and asked for a room on one of my days off in October, and was asked if I wanted a single bed or two beds. I asked for a single bed, and was advised there was none available, but 2 beds was, which I then asked to book. I was then told the booking was confirmed, and the call was terminated. I did find it a bit strange that I did not get any confirmation number, no text and no email with the reservation, so was a bit worried if I actually had a room or not.
Date of Stay: October 9-10, 2019
Price: Free
So, after I arrived on the shuttle bus from Macau Ferry Terminal it was about 14:45, which is pretty good time to check in, if you want to be sure the room is ready. I was dropped off at the rear entrance of the Sheraton Hotel (The Holiday Inn, Conrad, Sheraton, Shangri-La and the St. Regis are all part of the same complex of hotels.)
From there it was a quick 5 minute walk through the mall at the ground floor of the hotels to the Check-In desk of Holdiay Inn. There were about 10 people in front of me at the line at the counter, but they had 6 desks open, so after a few minutes it was my turn to be served. My booking was quickly found (after handing over my Sands Rewards loyalty card), and I was asked if I wanted a single bed or two beds. I again asked for a single bed, and was then told it would be about 2 hours before the room was ready, which I said was ok. The receptionist then tried to reserve one for me, before she advised me that there were none available, so I would have to settle for 2 single beds instead. On the bright side the room was available directly, so I was quickly on my way to my room on the 34th floor.
I was impressed that I got a room that high up, I assumed that since I was on the free night promotion I would just get the leftovers on lower floors, but this did not seem to be the case.
As i entered the room, I was pleasantly surprised. The room was a lot bigger than I expected, the two single beds were each big enough to be considered double bed, and the floor was covered with a very soft carpet.
There was also a very comfortable chair and small table if one wanted to sit and read.
There was a large office desk with a chair, 40 inch TV and an (empty) minibar in the entertainment console.
Also in the entertainment console there were drawers with glassware, a kettle and tea/coffee. There were also 2 bottles of complementary water in the bathroom.
The wardrobe had a standard safe, although slightly bigger than other hotels I have been to, so you can easily fit a big laptop plus other stuff in it. There were also slippers and bathrobes available.
The bathroom was also large, featuring both a separate shower and a bath tub, although the tub was so small I think it was only ment for children.
There were also the standard complimentary toiletries offered.
In the shower there were also disposable shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
The colors of the room was also very calming.
The check-out was next morning at 12 noon, and there was a quick check-out drop available next to the lifts, where I just dropped my key card in it, and that was it, so it didn’t take any time at all.
Overall I must say I was very impressed with the hotel and the room, the staff was very friendly, and to be offered a room like this for free without having done much gambling before is awesome, I hope I will get more offers like this soon š