Guests of Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Central can discover the unique charms of Macao now, more than ever before. Sheraton Grand Macao is partnering with a talented team of local artists and the creators of the popular “Soda Panda” character from Macau Creations to launch “Uniquely Macao.” An insider's guide to hidden gems, “Uniquely Macao” gives Macao visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about the city's rich, Portuguese and Chinese heritage.

As Chief Concierge of Macao's largest hotel with 4,001 rooms at Sheraton Grand Macao and member of the Les clefs d'Or Macau society, Mark Chang is the go-to guru on what to see and do in Macao. Offering an insider's view of Macao, Mark and his Concierge team make hundreds of recommendations to guests each day.  “Macao has so much to offer with its rich history, colorful traditions and cultural treasures,” Mark Chang says. “With our dedicated team of experts, we're able to provide itineraries and experiences that you won't find in travel guides. Taipa Village is one such hidden gem that is just minutes from the Cotai Strip, but feels as though you are stepping back in time with its old temples, churches and cobblestoned streets.”  

Mark Chang reveals five Hidden Gems about Macao.  Did you know... 

1. Taipa Village is a cultural gem. Just minutes from the glitz and glamor of Cotai Strip, you feel as though you are stepping back in time to centuries ago when the Portuguese first arrived on the shores of Macao.
2. Macao does offer a slow pace of life, where time virtually stands still.  Escape to Coloane where you can wander through an old village dotted with pastel-colored homes, churches and temples or explore the walking trails with magnificent views overlooking the South China Sea.
3. A-Ma temple, built in 1488, was the first place of worship for Macao fisherman on the Macao peninsula. Legend has it that when the Portuguese first sailed into Macao, they asked the residents what the name of the land was. The residents told them: “Ma Ge,” which is the name of the A-Ma temple in Cantonese. From that point on, “Macao” became the official name that is still used today.
4. Each month, the Concierge team at Sheraton Grand Macao makes an estimated 1,600 recommendations to guests on where to go and what to see in Macao.
5. Choi Heong Yuen sells as many as 40,000 almond cookies every day.
    

Truly understanding Macao as a destination and supporting Macao's local artists is important to Sheraton Grand Macao and is the primary reason the hotel chose to partner with Macau Creations.

Wilson Lam is the Creative Director and founder of Macau Creations who oversaw the design of Soda Panda.  “As a leader in promoting local Macao creativity through art, we are pleased to work with the largest Sheraton in the world – Sheraton Grand Macao – to showcase our 'Macao-inspired' Soda Panda creations,” Lam said. “The Soda Panda family acts as our very own concierges for Macao. Through Soda Panda, visitors to Macao can learn about the city's vibrant past.” 

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the local artists at Macau Creations who share the same goal of promoting Macao as we do here at Sheraton Grand Macao,” Mr. Saurabh Bakshi, General Manager of Operations for Sheraton Grand Macao and The St. Regis Macao said. “My family and I were fortunate to discover more about Macao's rich and colorful history with Mark Chang, Chief Concierge of Sheraton Grand Macao and Soda Panda leading the way. We hope our guests can also learn from all of the insights Mark and his Concierge team have to offer about Macao as a destination.” 

Legend has it that Soda Panda's parents sailed from Sichuan province in China to Macao to pursue a better life, eventually becoming Concierges at the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion. They then gave birth to three cubs – Panda Ar, Panda Lo and Panda La. As the oldest brother, Panda Ar was chosen to partner with Sheraton Grand Macao. 

Guests who book “Uniquely Macao” will receive an exclusive Soda Panda designer shopping bag created by Macau Creations and a box of almond cookies from “Choi Heong Yuen”, one of Macao's most famous bakeries.

From now through February 15, 2018, guests who book “Uniquely Macao Package” (HKD1,288++) can enjoy:

• Accommodation for two in a Deluxe King or Twin Room
• Buffet breakfast or lunch for two at a designated restaurant in the hotel
• One-way Cotai Water Jet tickets (Cotai Class) for two (departing from Macao to Hong Kong or the Hong Kong International Airport) or MOP 200 credit redeemable at the hotel's dining outlets and Shine Spa or admission to Planet J
• One “Soda Panda” local creative shopping bag and one “Macau Choi Heong Yuen Bakery” almond cakes gift box voucher, exclusively designed by “Macao Creations”
• Additional MOP100 credit redeemable at the hotel's dining outlets, Shine Spa or admission to Planet J

“Uniquely Macao Winter Package” is valid for stays from November 1, 2017 to February 15, 2018. Guests staying for another night will receive an additional MOP300 credit redeemable at Shine Spa and the hotel's dining outlets or Planet J Theme Park admission.  

High-res images are available at:  https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/uQ7q1Lt250