Built in 1983, the 11-floor Regency Art Hotel is geared toward budget-minded travelers seeking a quiet vacation and willing to overlook the property’s rough edges. Formerly a Hyatt Regency, this sprawling property was once grand, but now needs revamping and paint touch-ups. However, lush landscaping around the lagoon pool creates a secluded vibe and there are ample outdoor lounge areas. Portuguese-style columns line the hotel’s brick terrace, which has comfy rattan chairs set next to large green shutters. The large lobby is filled with earth-tone furnishings, terra-cotta floors, and an ornate design behind the front desk. Black-and-white Chinese drawings hang on the walls in common areas. Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby, so the reception area tends to get crowded with guests on the Internet.

Situated on the northern side of Taipa Island, this hotel is in a quiet area beside the University of Macau. The busy Cotai strip with loads of restaurants and shops is a 10-minute drive away. More intrepid travelers can make the half-hour journey to the city center on foot. There's a bus stop in front of the hotel and a free shuttle to the ferry terminal, which goes to Hong Kong in an hour. Shuttle service is also provided to the Hotel Sintra and Grand Lisboa Hotel, the latter being the city's most iconic building and home to a large casino. The Venetian Macao is about a five-minute drive away. The Macau International Airport is 10 minutes away by car. Attractions such as the Grand Lisboa, Senado Square, Macau Fisherman's Wharf, and Ruins of St. Paul's are all within a 20-minute drive.

The hotel offers both contemporary rooms with neutral-colored wallpaper and white Chinese-style furniture, as well as older rooms with dated furnishings such as plaid fabric headboards and peach armchairs. Across the board, the overall feel is classic thanks to tall upholstered headboards, bedskirts, and carpeted floors. Red leather chairs and black-and-white framed drawings on the walls add personality to the spaces. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, kettles, irons, and safes. Suites also have sofas, wet bars, and dining tables in spacious separate living rooms. Some rooms have lovely harbor views, and most suites have private balconies. Generic bathrooms are the same no matter the room type, featuring shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and a range of toiletries; some also have bidets. Rollaway beds can be requested. 

Regency Art Hotel offers a solid range of facilities -- albeit most could use a refresh. The hotel’s Flamingo restaurant serves Portuguese and Macanese cuisine in a charming dining room with a terrace that faces a koi pond. Also on-site is a Chinese restaurant with booth seating, a lobby bar that offers a conservatory terrace, and a bakery. 

A sprawling lagoon pool has ample lounge space on the deck, but it's closed during the winter months. Spa facilities include a uniquely designed hot tub lit by port hole windows, plus a small sauna, steam room, and sundeck. Active travelers can make use of the blue carpeted gym with cardio machines, weight equipment, and a large fitness studio. There are also two squash courts, a ping-pong table, and tennis and basketball courts, not to mention a recreation room with video games. There are two computers for guest use, 12 meeting spaces, and a ballroom. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, but incurs a fee elsewhere.