This article first appeared in the Nov/Dec 2013 issue of World Gaming magazine.
The Stallion went to a beer tasting and checked out the Splash bar – located in the tranquil setting of the Four Seasons hotel – while he was at it. It proved to be a wonderfully enjoyable afternoon.
Everything to do with the Plaza and the Four Seasons screams opulence. The Plaza casino and the Four Seasons hotel combine to form an exclusive hotel-casino venue which stands at the top of the tree when it comes to high rolling in Macau.
Splash is a bar-cum-party spot surrounded by the gardens and pools of the Four Seasons outdoor area. Lush tropical plants, green grass and expensive tiles and marble are the order of the day.
It really is perfectly designed, well laid out and an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of most casino pool and outdoor areas. Splash features a mix of booths, lounge areas and standard table and chairs. Wood and greenery are a common theme and like the rest of the hotel it works perfectly. The staff here are some of the friendliest and hard working you will find in Macau.
No slacking off or grumpy customer service here – that’s not how the Four Seasons rolls. On this particular day I was invited to a tasting of new beer lines being introduced to Macau. Friends of WGM Mary Mendoza and Niall Murray were part of the team showcasing a myriad of beers from around the world.
Mary told me, “This niche market has a lot of room for development, it requires some of form of education to give a better awareness that there is something else out there.” I will freely admit a love for education when it comes to trying out drinks I haven’t tried before. My personal favorite was the Black Sheep (sponsored by Liquid Assets) which was an excellent drop while the O’Hara’s Irish Stout (sponsored by PREMIER Wine & Spirits) was perfect if you like your beer black and thick.
There were also a couple of fruit beers and beers featuring other flavors like chocolate which I must say didn’t really suit The Stallion’s palate. I was, however, up for the educational pursuit of trying as many different types of liquid treasure as were on offer.
There was a great crowd of people at Splash and this was another example of a fine event that makes Macau a great place for rubbing shoulders and having a good time. Splash are putting on a series of Friday afternoon events which are sure to become an important part of the Macau “after work” party scene.
The only problem I found at Splash was that it is very open and although there are ceiling fans they are very high so on a very hot Macau afternoon like this one they just didn’t cut it. The only air conditioned area is the bathroom and a couple of us joked that they should have served the beers to us in there.
Still, it wasn’t a huge problem and, naturally, we settled for cooling ourselves down by tasting as many as possible of the icy cold beers on offer. Just be warned Splash can get pretty sticky if the sun has been pounding down all day. I’m glad I left the suit at home and went in pants and a shirt instead.
Splash was a great way to kick off another big evening in Macau and I was very grateful to enjoy good company and some interesting beers in what could only be described as a beautifully luxurious setting.
