Macau encompasses a small peninsula and two islands, which together span a territory of just 5,800 acres. The three areas are linked by bridge, meaning you can stay anywhere in Macau and still be within easy reach of the main attractions. Yet the bulk of the hotels lie on the Macau Peninsula, and many are housed in glitzy casinos along the original harbour front.

The tourist industry is well developed in Macau and there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. The majority of the hotels are in the mid- to upper price bracket and lie within walking distance of the cultural centre of the administrative region, Largo do Senado. This central square is lined by some of Macau's most famous buildings, making this area a popular place to lodge.

The highest concentration of hotels, however, is found along the original harbour front, including the Las Vegas-style casinos which have helped to put Macau on the tourist map. The Lisboa is one of the most famous and luxurious but most of the other casinos in this area now feature upscale hotels including the Rio, Starworld and MGM Grand.

Other central accommodation choices include top international chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Best Western, Sofitel and Mandarin Oriental. These hotels offer four- to five-star comfort and all the facilities you would expect from hotels of this class. The outer harbour is home to the business district and a number of corporate hotels as well as lively, European style waterfront cafés and bars along Avenida Marginal Baia Nova.

For a peaceful escape, Macau's hillsides feature a number of colonial Portuguese mansions that have been converted into hotels, with the Bela Vista Hotel now being a residence for Portugal's consul. Here you will find Portuguese leftovers such as the Monte Fort with its Museum of Macau and the Ruins of St Paul's.

Although mainly residential, the north part of the peninsula hosts a number of attractions including Sun Yat-sen Park and consequently a handful of lodgings. The southern tip has a distinctly Chinese flavour with its restored old Chinese shop houses along Rua da Felicidade and is best visited on shopping trips.

The two islands offshore from the Macau Peninsula are Taipa and Coloane. The former draws sports fans with its stadium and horse racetrack while it also hosts Macau International Airport and a lesser concentration of casinos compared with the original harbour front on the peninsula. Dozens of quality hotels can be found on the island including a Best Western and a Westin.

Coloane is largely undeveloped but hosts a vast golf course and some of Macau's best beaches. The two-star Pousada de Coloane Hotel is one of only a handful of hotels on the island, with most people visiting Coloane on daytrips from the peninsula.