There is an Apple store at the Venetian and also in Hong Kong. The Macau Apple store is more expensive than the on-line store, but the on-line store (Hong Kong based) won't send items to Macau.
I think the Macau store is around 5% more expensive than the on-line store.

Thanks will still save me a shitload of money though even with the 5% premium. Do you by any chance know if the store in HK also has the 5% on top?

Never been at the emperor hotel, location is great though

I stayed at the Emperor at one one-time. Also stayed at Sintra, but just cannot recollect my memories of these places. If your upgrading to an executive room, it should be fine. Like Peter said, great location.

To the west, you can just take the escalator up to Hotel Lisboa and on to Grand Lisboa. To the south, you can just take the parking lot underpass to get to the Wynn. No need to cross the busy streets, just go under the street via the underpass. Both less than a minute away once you exit Emperor Hotel. Remember it is the parking lot underpass, not the regular pedestrian underpass. Although either is fine.

New Macbook Air? The 11-incher? It is barely available for pre-order on Amazon. Not sure if it will be in Asia by the time your get here.

FYI, The new Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs are coming out very, very soon... it is suppose to be a big leap in performance this CPU generation.

Getting Around Macao Travel Tips
--------------------------------------

@ Macao (Maritime Ferry Terminal)

Once you clear Immigration, the Taxis and Public Buses will be on your right (East). The underpass will be straight ahead northward. The Complimentary (FREE!) Hotel Shuttle Buses will be on your left (West) and on the other side of the underpass. You are not obligated to enter the Hotel/Casino if you take one of their buses, so Hotel Shuttle Buses are a great way to get around.

Macao (Maritime Ferry Terminal) - List of Hotel Shuttle Buses To/From:

Casa Real [Nearby: Golden Dragon Hotel]

City Of Dreams (Go through the underpass to cross under the street, once you are back up to street level, go left (East). [Nearby: Hard Rock Casino, Crown Towers, Venetian, Grand Hyatt]

Emperor [Nearby: Hotel Lisboa, Wynn, Presidente, Landmark]

Grand Emperor Hotel [Nearby: New Yaohan Department Store, Hotel Sintra, Metropole Hotel]

Grand Lisboa [Nearby: Hotel Lisboa]

Grandview [Nearby: Taipa Square Hotel]

Hotel Lisboa [Nearby: Grand Lisboa, Emperor Hotel, Wynn]

Hotel Royal [Nearby: Guia Hotel]

L´Arc [Nearby: Wynn, StarWorld, MGM]

MGM [Nearby: Wynn, L´Arc, StarWorld]

New Century Hotel [University]

Pharaohs Palace [Landmark, StarWorld, Emperor, Presidente]

Ponte 16 [East Asia Hotel]

Sands [Nearby: Grand Lapa (Mandarin Oriental)]

StarWorld [Nearby: Wynn, L´Arc, MGM]

Wynn [Nearby: MGM, L´Arc, StarWorld, Emperor, Hotel Lisboa]

Venetian (Go through the underpass to cross under the street, once you are back up to street level, go left (East). [Nearby: City Of Dreams, Hard Rock Casino, Crown Towers, Grand Hyatt]

Westin Resort [Golf Course]

@ Macao (Taipa Ferry Terminal)

Macao (Taipa Ferry Terminal) - List of Hotel Shuttle Buses To/From:

City Of Dreams [Nearby: Hard Rock Casino, Crown Towers, Venetian, Grand Hyatt]

Grand Waldo (Not Frequent)

Grand Lisboa [Nearby: Hotel Lisboa] (Not Frequent?)

MGM [Nearby: Wynn, L´Arc, StarWorld] (Not Frequent?)

Wynn [Nearby: MGM, L´Arc, StarWorld, Emperor, Hotel Lisboa] (Not Frequent?)

Venetian [Nearby: City Of Dreams, Hard Rock Casino, Crown Towers, Grand Hyatt]

Note: Not many taxis or public buses located at this ferry terminal.

China Border Gate - List of Hotel Shuttle Buses To/From:

Note: Work in Progress

City Of Dreams [Nearby: Hard Rock Casino, Crown Towers, Venetian, Grand Hyatt]

Grand Emperor Hotel [Nearby: New Yaohan Department Store, Hotel Sintra, Metropole Hotel]

Grand Lisboa [Nearby: Hotel Lisboa]

Hotel Lisboa [Nearby: Grand Lisboa, Emperor Hotel, Wynn]

MGM [Nearby: Wynn, L´Arc, StarWorld]

Sands [Nearby: Grand Lapa (Mandarin Oriental)]

StarWorld [Nearby: Wynn, L´Arc, MGM]

Wynn [Nearby: MGM, L´Arc, StarWorld, Emperor, Hotel Lisboa]

Venetian [Nearby: City Of Dreams, Hard Rock Casino, Crown Towers, Grand Hyatt]

List of Hotel Shuttle Buses To/From around town:

In front of Hotel Sintra: Bus to City Of Dreams, MGM

@ City Of Dreams <==> MGM [11:00 - 21:45, every 20 minutes]

@ City Of Dreams <==> (Old) Taipa Village / City [M-Th, 12:00-21:00, F-Su, 11:00-21:00

@ City Of Dreams <==> Venetian, Plaza [10:00-21:00]

@ MGM <==> City Of Dreams [11:00 - 21:45, every 20 minutes]

@ Old Taipa, across from Grandview Hotel and Taipa Square Hotel: Bus to/from Grand Waldo

@ Pharaohs Palace <==> Babylon Casino

@ Sands <==> Venetian

@ Venetian <==> Sands

See Also:
Arriving in Macao Travel Tips
Macao Long-Term Stay (>= 1 Month) Housing Tips
Macao Mobile Broadband Tips

Disclaimer: This list is not all-inclusive and subject to change.
Rev .01 (Todo: Check frequency status @ Taipa Ferry Terminal)

Arriving in Macao Travel Tips
---------------------------------

Arriving to Macao via Hong Kong Airport in transit:

Once your plane arrives in Hong Kong, do NOT go through HK Immigration. You will bypass HK Immigration and go through the Immigration process via Macao. Go to the 5th floor (Should be the same floor as your Arrival level) and look for SkyPier. Purchase a ferry ticket to Macao (Maritime Ferry Terminal). If your destination is the Venetian or City Of Dreams/Hard Rock, purchase a ferry ticket to Macao (Taipa Ferry Terminal). For the Venetian or City Of Dreams/Hard Rock, you can alternatively go to Macao (Maritime Ferry Terminal) depending on the time schedule as there is a greater frequency of ferries and Hotel Shuttle Buses. Your luggage will automatically be re-routed and will board with you on the same ferry. You will have access to your luggage only after passengers unload and go through Immigration. This service is only available for passengers in transit. Please download the Leaflet for more detailed information:

Hong Kong International Airport SkyPier

Arriving to Macao by Ferry:

@ Macao (Maritime Ferry Terminal)

After going through Macao (Maritime Ferry Terminal) Immigration, there are vending machines to purchase telecommincations products such as Prepaid SIM cards and Mobile Broadband Prepaid cards (Please see the Macao Mobile Broadband Tips Post). There are also ATMs, a Foreign Currency Exchange and a Tourist Center.

CTM Vending Machine
==============
1-Day BEST Mobile Broadband Pass [MOP$100 (US$12.50, EUR€9)]
5-Day BEST Mobile Broadband Pass [MOP$180 (US$22.50, EUR€16)]
5-Day BEST Mobile Broadband Pass + $100IDD Prepaid Sim Card [MOP$260 (US$32.50, EUR€23)]
$100IDD Prepaid Sim Card [MOP$100 (US$12.50, EUR€9)]
$100 Reload Voucher [MOP$100 (US$12.50, EUR€9)]
$200 Reload Voucher [MOP$200 (US$25.00, EUR€18)]
Nokia 1661 + $100IDD Prepaid Sim Card [MOP$500 (US$62.50, EUR€45)]
Nokia 1209 + $100IDD Prepaid Sim Card [MOP$360 (US$45, EUR€32)]

Smartone Vending Machine
=================
$120IDD Prepaid Sim Card [MOP$120 (US$15.00, EUR€10.75)
$50 Reload Voucher [MOP$50 (US$6.25, EUR€4.5)]
$100 Reload Voucher [MOP$100 (US$12.50, EUR€9)]
$200 Reload Voucher [MOP$200 (US$25.00, EUR€18)]

3 Vending Machine
============
$50IDD Prepaid Sim Card [MOP$50 (US$6.25, EUR€4.5)
$50 Reload Voucher [MOP$50 (US$6.25, EUR€4.5)]
$100 Reload Voucher [MOP$100 (US$12.50, EUR€9)]

ATMS
====

Arrival Level

Banco Tai Fung [Jetco, Union Pay, MasterCard, Visa, Cirrus]
Hang Seng Bank [Visa, Plus, Maestro, MasterCard, Cirrus]
HSBC Bank [Visa, Plus, Maestro, MasterCard, Cirrus, Union Pay]
BNU [American Express, SCB, Union Pay, Jetco, Cirrus, MasterCard, Plus, Visa]
BEA [JCB, Jetco, MasterCard, Cirrus, Visa, Plus, UnionPay]
ICBC [Jetco, Maestro, Plus, Union Pay, JCB, MasterCard, Cirrus, Visa, Visa Electron]

Departure Level

BNU [American Express, SCB, Union Pay, Jetco, Cirrus, MasterCard, Plus, Visa]
ICBC [Jetco, Maestro, Plus, Union Pay, JCB, MasterCard, Cirrus, Visa, Visa Electron]

Please see Getting Around Macao Travel Tips.

@ Macao (Taipa Ferry Terminal)

Work In Progress
Please see Getting Around Macao Travel Tips.

Arriving to Macao via China Border Gate:

Work In Progress
Please see Getting Around Macao Travel Tips.

Arriving to Macao by plane:

Work In Progress

Please see Getting Around Macao Travel Tips.

See Also:
Getting Around Macao Travel Tips
Macao Long-Term Stay (>= 1 Month) Housing Tips
Macao Mobile Broadband Tips

Disclaimer: Prices subject to change.
Rev .02 (Todo: Verify other entry points)

Emperor hotel is on a great location but the internet is pretty expensive (120hkd/day)

Think I'll go for the emperor executive then, same price, but with breakfast .

And not sure which macbook air I want, I am leaning towards a 13 inch with 4gig, but we'll see if they have any available at all. Performance isn't the thing I am worried about the most as long as it is faster than an atom cpu. The only thing I will be using it for is surfing the web, watching movies and maybe a bit of HU poker in windows xp (but I think even the 11 inch should be fine doing those tasks).

I made a mistake and gave you some misinformation.

I got the Hotel Fortuna and Emperor Hotel mixed up. They are a few blocks away from each other facing the same direction.

You will have to cross the street to get to the Wynn.

If you are willing to upgrade, why not get a basic room at the StarWorld or L´Arc? Upgrading a room at the Emperor is like upgrading a room at Harrah´s. These luxury hotels are just a casino away from the Wynn. Cash games at StarWorld too.

Also check with PokerStars Macau if they can get you a good rate.

http://www.pokerstarsmacau.com/about/contact/

It may be comparable to an executive room at the Emperor.

Cannot go wrong staying at either Lisboa.

I will give PokerStarsMacau a call to check their room rates when they open at 15:00.

I just noticed that the Emperor Executive Room is sub-US$100. I was thinking it was around US$150. It was too late for me to edit the previous post.

I went to a local travel agency next to StarWorld casino to do some comparison pricing. Many travel agencies here.

I do not think you have to book online. Prices are similar and you are arriving on a weekday, so there should be no urgency.

I can give you the travel agency name and directions if you are interested. They do not speak English or just a little bit of English, but you can just walk-in and point at their English price list.

Sample prices for a weekday:

StarWorld HKD1100
Grand Lapa HKD 750
Lisboa HKD850
Landmark HKD900
Rio HKD730
Emperor Executive HKD630
Sintra HKD580
Fortuna HKD650

I asked StarWorld the likelihood of a free upgrade to a Executive Room and they said chances are low, but possible.

I would probably just recommend when you get to Macao in the afternoon, drop your luggage off at the Wynn Cloak Room and play some poker. Or check-out the travel agency before you play poker so you do not have to think about the process and have a clear head to play poker. If you are up, splurge for StarWorld. Else go back to Plan A and Emperor or Sintra it. Just pick-up your luggage after you check-in. Simple process, walk-in, pay, check-in with receipt.

The travel agency is less than 3 minutes from Wynn.

Thanks a lot for your help yuan, but you don't think they will try to rip me off being a tourist and all?

Nah, they have a fixed pricelist

No need to worry. Business is too good to rip anyone off.

When I went there to check prices, two tourists from mainland China were splashing HKD80K around each getting ready to gamble and pay for rooms.

Travel Agencies deal with tons of Chinese [Mainland, HK, TW] tourists each day as well as a few Western tourists. No incentive to tarnish their reputation for short-term gain.

Any problems, there are always two police officers standing guard at StarWorld seconds away. Someone at StarWorld will help you if needed. Can PM me if there you run into problems.

Not many rip-off schemes around here. Just the opposite. Businesses are very efficient and provide good service.

Just be careful in HK in the bars where they may try to charge you 100x for liquor. Macau is usually on the straight tip.

Go for StarWorld, Hotel Lisboa, Landmark in that order if you can.

Otherwise, any of the other 3-stars will be OK. Do not have too high an expectation for them.

I will post the travel agent if you are interested.

i lived in HK for a year and never been or heard about getting ripped off for drinks. yea, they are expensive but bartenders are honest

Yes, I have not experienced this first hand. I should not of mentioned it. The poster was just worried about rip-offs, so this popped up in my head.

I see you are from Poland.

I got this info from my Polish-Australian friend whom I trust after asking about his trip to HK. Someone who opened their home to me in Oz. So I did not see a need to ask for his credit card statements for verification since he has my trust. He said they blocked his exit and did not let him leave without paying his inflated bill. I especially wanted his HK trip to be a positive one, not a negative one.

If this stuff does happen, I think it goes higher up than bartenders. But you are correct, HK bartenders are honest. I did not want to indirectly accuse them of not being honest. So my apologies for that. But s*%( does go down in any country even if we have not experienced it first hand or broadcasted on BBC. It would be naive of me to think otherwise.

I will retract my statement since I have not experienced this first hand. Stay cautious out there.

By all accounts there are some clubs in Wan Chai that try this tactic on unsuspecting drunk tourists, but I've never experienced it either.

I suspect a call to the police from the bathroom would result in a reasonable compromise being worked out.....

Just returned from Shanghai and can report that poker is alive and well with a number of unpublicised clubs.

Not sure they would of been kind enough to let him out of their sight. He is small in stature, very fragile and passive, gentlemanly and did not want to cause trouble. Your mentality is different also being in a foreign place. Can be easily confused in this situation.

Anyways, thanks for having my back on this Quorthon.

Yeah, it is almost 2011. Ridiculous hotels still charge that high a price to get online.

Thanks for the knowledge.

hah no worries, no need to be so serious. i suppose it could've happened in one of the strip clubs in wan chai as someone else mentioned. my friend had her purse stolen in there once

I understand that China doesn't recognize International Driver Permit.

So how do foreign tourists legally rent car there? I know they have Avis/etc in Shanghai/other cities.

I am trying to figure out how I can take a motorcycle tour all around China. First step is to figure out how I can ride legally.

Can you tell me more? I live in Shanghai.

http://www.shanghaistuff.com/groups/...search?q=poker

No worries SneakrFreakr. I put myself in an awkward position to have to defend my statement because it seemed like I was just talking out of my a$s.

Hope all is well in PokerLand.