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Behind its audacious (some might say tasteless) exterior are more than 900 large rooms with beautifully embroidered bedspreads and great views. Dripping with marble and gilt, this temple to excess contains several casinos and top-notch fine dining.

A favourite among royalty, politicians, stars and business folk, the Mandarin benefits from a supreme Central location and a reputation for excellence and old-fashioned opulence. Beyond the imposing gold and black marble lobby and the frock-coated concierges and bellhops, the Mandarin’s elegant rooms have balconies overlooking the harbour and, less happily, busy Connaught Road.

What this Mandarin lacks in its ferry terminal location it more than makes up for with service and facilities. It is, perhaps, the best hotel in Macau. Compared with Hong Kong’s rates, this is luxury on the cheap.

The sense that you’ve travelled back to the 1970s can be fun, but apart from that, this ageing hotel, aimed more at Chinese mainlanders than foreigners, is nothing special. Happily, prices are low and it’s next to some of Macau’s best shopping and sightseeing areas.

Smart, modern and large, the Panglin is one of Shenzhen’s superior hotels, about two miles (4 km) from the railway station. Room sizes are decent and all come with cable TV. Extensive services include station shuttle bus, baby-sitting and 24-hour room service. The revolving Skylounge at the top is Shenzhen’s highest restaurant.

Room sizes are generous, most with views. Surf the net via your TV with wireless keyboard. Revamped deluxe rooms are very funky, especially the glass-walled bathrooms with glass sinks.

Opened in 1928 and still one of Hong Kong’s best-loved hotels, the Neo-Classical Peninsula overlooking Victoria Harbour is famous for restrained luxury and excellent, friendly service (see The Peninsula Hotel).

The location above the Convention and Exhibition Centre on the waterfront ensures its popularity as a business hotel. Other visitors will like its landscaped grounds, leisure facilities and reasonable rates.

Smaller and more intimate than many of its luxury heavyweight contenders, the plush, elegantly chintzy Ritz Carlton is celebrated for peerless, friendly service.