At a glance
- Features 214 rooms, suites and villas
- Casual all day-dining and a TCM-inspired Cantonese restaurant
- Just a 15-minute drive from the Hengqin checkpoint
- Gym, spa and indoor swimming pool
- Family friendly amenities, including creative workshops and a kid’s play area
First impressions of Angsana Zhuhai Hengqin?
Lush. Oasis-like grounds boast palm trees and other foliage, sure to be appreciated by residents of notoriously built-up Macao or Hong Kong. The greenery extends beyond the 62,000-square-metre property’s well-manicured grounds, merging into adjoining fields and wetlands.
Staff in the chic lobby were friendly, proffering tea and a small wooden keepsake upon our arrival. The check-in process was smooth.
Aesthetically, the vibe is contemporary and unpretentious, while the rooms are massive – at least 65 square metres, and each one with a balcony.
Who stays there?
Mostly domestic guests, though the hotel was hosting a convention when we checked in.
Families frequent the place due to its great amenities for kids – like the large and well-equipped sandpit near the hotel’s lobby, to name but one example.
Got a fan of the cheerful children’s character B.Duck in the family? They’re in luck: there’s a play area dedicated to him right next to the all-day eatery, Market Place. You can even book a B.Duck-themed room or suite.
International guests are a bit of a rarity at the moment, and not all staff can speak English, but everyone is friendly and will go out of their way to assist you.
Good to know. So, should I splurge on a villa?
They’re where you’ll find us. Angsana’s villas are a real treat.
We stayed at the three-storey Rui Xuan villa, making the most of not only a private swimming pool but the villa’s own dedicated massage room (yes, this is a thing). Our three bedrooms, spacious lounge, dining area and kitchen were decked out in earthy tones and lotus motifs that seemed Southeast Asia-inspired. Floor-to ceiling windows ensured that everything was bathed in natural light. And if you’re feeling too lazy to climb the stairs, fear not. There’s a lift.
On a warm autumn day, we loved lounging on sunbeds in our private courtyard, sipping a refreshing villa perk: Chilean chardonnay.
Other features of the villa include soaring ceilings, lavishly sized bathrooms and super comfortable beds with a pillow menu. You’re in for a decadent sleep. Another treat for villa residents is your own barbecue: you can have one of the hotel’s talented chefs grill you up a feast.
I’m sold. What else can I do there?
The Angsana Spa earned the title of “Best Spa” at last year’s China Mag Awards. We ventured beyond our villa’s massage room and soaking tub to find out why.
As anticipated, there’s plenty of rejuvenation on offer – from hydrotherapy to full-body wraps. We went for the traditional Thai massage and can confirm that our masseuse (a Thai national) successfully melted all our cares away.
The hotel also offers several complimentary activities to keep you and the kids entertained. Enjoy yoga sessions, movie screenings, herbology workshops and kids’ cookie-baking lessons for your little chef in training – all at no extra cost.
What about the food though?
You can pick from two restaurants: Market Place, Angana’s all-day dining option, and Chun Feng, which focuses on Cantonese cuisine. The former can get a bit busy, so head for the latter if you’re after an intimate dinner. We did, and thoroughly enjoyed the deep-fried oysters and fish steamed with ginger and soy.
What’s more, Angsana’s chefs are trained in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and take guests’ holistic wellness seriously.
What if I want to go beyond the grounds?
There are a couple of attractions you might want to check out. The main one would be Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, said to be the world’s largest ocean-themed park. It’s home to a massive array of marine life.
Beishan Village in Zhuhai is another must-visit, with its cultural spaces, creative knick-knacks, street food sellers and a cool coffee shop.
Then there’s the Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Center, dreamed up by Zaha Hadid Architects and located smack dab in the middle of a lake. The massive complex currently houses a theatre and an art museum, and more. Architecture aficionados will be in for a treat.
Your parting summary?
The Angsana Zhuhai Hengqin is an incredibly convenient getaway, just a 15-minute hop from Macao’s city limits. Book a villa, if your budget allows. They’re not cheap, but then neither is Bali – and the Angsana is a heck of a lot closer.
Address: No. 288 Chonglou Road, Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, Hengqin, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, 519000
Phone number: +86 0756 2889889
Email: [email protected]
