Travel + Leisure - India & South Asia
The Parisian Life
The first few reactions I received from my peers when they became privy to the fact that Iwas travelling to Macao for a shoot with my crew and cover star, Dabangg actress Sonakshi Sinha, were predictable. “They have some great casinos!” “Try the slot machine... it’s fun.” “Try your luck on the table.” But there were a few suggestions that instantly resonated with me. “It’s a shoppers’ paradise.” “It’s a great family destination... the kids will enjoy.” Particularly, this one: “You should dine at the Eiffel Tower!” Now I’m no gambler, but I love Europe, and if you can experience a slice of two iconic European cities at a destination that’s closer home in Asia, then why not? Located in the heart of Macao—a 15-minute drive from the Cotai
Ferry Terminal—The Parisian Macao and The Venetian Macao, part of the Sands Resorts Macao, boast over 6,000 rooms, 850 shops, and multiple fine dining options, including the Michelin-star Golden Peacock.
American business magnate Sheldon Adelson, who happens to be the world’s 15th richest person, was so in love with Venice—which he visited for his honeymoon—and Paris, for the city personified romanticism, that he decided to build his Macao hotels emulating the two European cities. With billions of dollars pumped in to get it just right, the doors of The Venetian Macao were finally opened to public in 2007. The Parisian Macao followed suit in 2016.
“It’s the most unique integrated resort offering, the perfect location to experience Europe in Asia,” said Australian Stephanie J Tanpure, vice president of sales, Sands China Ltd, who has been in Macao since 2009. It’s no surprise that the resort welcomes almost 70,000 visitors a day, who are served by over 28,000 staff members of Sands Resorts Macao.
As we entered the gates of The Parisian
Macao, where the crew was put up, it didn’t quite seem that we were in Asia. The fountain reminiscent of the Fontaine des Mers, the gilded doors inspired by Palais Garnier, the dome fashioned after the iconic Les Invalides of the
7th arrondissement, the (mini) Eiffel Tower that stood metres away from the hotel façade—you could just as well be in Paris, minus the freezing weather, and relish some egg tarts instead of croissants! The Parisian Macao has recreated 20 Parisian landmarks, and deservedly earned its French parallels.
I met Chef Emmanual Souliere, the executive chef at The Parisian Macao, at La Chine, which takes pride in serving Chinese food ‘with a French touch.’ While the chef was undisputedly French, he was proud of his “multi-cultural team.” “I’ve spent 22 years in Asia,” he said, and cautioned me against leaving the place without trying the signature ‘Omni-pork.’ “It’s vegan pork, made of cereals,” he smiled. I did try it later the same day at the Market Bistro, a 24-hour noodle eatery serving Macanese, Vietnamese, and Hong Kong cuisines. As a hardcore meat consumer, I was pleasantly surprised.
If you’re a family of foodies, The Parisian Macao is a culinary paradise—from the signature Chinese restaurant Lotus Palace (I’d recommend the fresh oyster with bean curd
custard topped with spicy lemon jelly and caviar), to the all-day dining Brasserie, which offers French cuisine led by chef Daniel Brolese, and Le Buffet, where I had breakfast every day (the matcha buns are recommended), to Crystal Jade that serves Chinese regional cuisine (Beijing, Szechuan, and Shanghai), and finally, the Parisian Pool Bar, which is an al fresco cafe with a view of the Eiffel replica. Your taste buds are bound to be satisfied, vegetarian options included. Chef Souliere emphasised, “We are working with organic products for the vegetarian dishes across all our restaurants, and want to [push] the vegan trend.” The assurance received a sigh of relief from the vegetarian and vegan members of my crew.
As I headed back to my Champagne Suite overlooking the Eiffel Tower, the Shoppes at Parisian housing popular Parisian labels as well as international brands were in full business with the Chinese New Year around the corner. Couples and families with kids in tow were busy clicking the perfect Insta-worthy image against the Eiffel Tower. Kids were happy at the Qube Kingdom (the 2,000-square-metre indoor and outdoor play area), and parents had enough ‘me time’ to enjoy this recreation of Paris. And I couldn’t help but swing by the Love Lock Bridge to reinstate my love for the ‘City of Lights’ and add my own love lock.