Pensao Lotus

A perfect place to stay, but don’t rely on Google Maps to find it or you may not reach the location. It’s behind Lisboa. From Hong Kong airport, take the free buses to Macau.

I stayed for two nights in April 2025. For the price and location, this is a real steal, especially for backpackers and solo travelers. The dorms were clean, with comfortable beds, privacy curtains, and toilets. Wi-Fi was excellent, staff were friendly and helpful, and they provided hot water, a microwave, towels, and basic toiletries. The spot is fantastic: Lisboa Casino and Senado Square are two minutes away on foot, Ruins of St. Paul is a ten-minute walk, and Penha Hill and Macau Tower take about 20 minutes. From Lisboa Casino there are buses to the airport and Taipa Terminal, and nearby hotels have free shuttles to other islands. A tip for arriving by ferry or plane: take the free shuttle to Lisboa Hotel Macau, then it’s only a two-minute walk to the hostel. They also offer free shuttles to the airport and ferry, but the schedule is limited, so check ahead. Otherwise, a single bus trip costs just 6HKD or MOP. There were some downsides. Some guests smoked in the toilet, with no enforcement. There’s no elevator, so luggage has to go up two storeys, and there are no lockers for valuables. The shared eating area is very limited, just a small bench at reception.

The experience was terrible. They accepted my booking even though the rooms were full, then had no bed space for me when I arrived and squeezed me into some room. The next day I came back and all my belongings were gone. They’d moved them to another room without telling me. At the counter, they accused me of having already been informed, which clearly hadn’t happened. The room and toilet were dirty, and it was very noisy. I know it’s cheap, so I wasn’t expecting much, but they should at least improve their customer service.

The hostel's downtown spot made getting around easy, and I really liked how original the design was. Everything in the room looked clean, too. The staff were friendly and polite, so I even exchanged my RMB for Macau currency there. Good value for the money, and I'd definitely stay again. 😊