I'm in the mists of planning a weekend trip to macau next month (yes i know a little early but I like to plan all travel and possible expenses beforehand).

After reading alot of info on the forum I have already got a few ideas on how to get to the various saunas and where to get coupons and the required tickets.

But just kinda like some fellow punter's opinion on which sauna would be the best to go to as a 1st timer over there?

From the various reports the image I'm getting are:

Darling 1: a pure fs location, no real sauna or spa experiance just get in punt leave.

Family Nobre: expensive and there are various shows you can enjoy in the spa area.

18 Sauna: priced fairly, but pushy for tips.

East castle: good standard but is not consistent.

Goldern sauna: better interaction with the girls, but is best to pick yourself and not via manager.

As many of the reports in the macau section are closed I'm not able to get much more info than the initial report, any bro out there can help with this?

Basically as a first timer in macau I'm looking for a place which will not rush you and has an opportunity to relax for a bit before going for the punt.

Darling 1 is a pure fishbowl, as you mentioned there is
no sauna no spa, but it is a hell of an experience, the girls and the service are great

18 Sauna, for sheer numbers when the music kicks in and the line up begins its incredible, girls are good, but the
lounge girls are pushy and a pain

East Castle, the theme rooms are fun but I prefer the
original EAST SPA at the Grand Waldo down the road,
much more fun

Rio for sheer opulence, although I hear the ONE is even
better

My suggestion bust your cherry at Darlings, 90 minutes of fun!

But for a real experience, go to one of the saunas like 18 or East in the mid afternoon, in the week, enjoy the facilities, and chat with the lounge girls, the managers and get a feel for the place before going for the main course

It's decision-tree time.  I'll do mine and you can maybe reorder based on what is important to you.

1) Am I going to use the sauna facilities and lounge?

- no, go to 2a)
- yes, go to 2b)

2a) Am I willing to pay more for better looking girls?  You get what you pay for in terms of looks, generally.  Service is always a crapshoot.

- willing to spend, go to Darling 1
- dont want to blow the budget, go to Darling 2.  Daytime 3p deal is the stuff of legends

2b) Do I need upscale sauna facilities?

- yes, go to Rio or the One
- no, go to 3)

3) Do I want to see a ton of girls in the lineup?

- yes, go to 18
- not necessary, go to 4)

4) Do I want to try a theme room?

- yes, go to east castle
- no, go to 5)

5) Pick between the other saunas.  Golden a bit cheaper than the others.  Nothing else really glaring that separates Golden, FN, East, Sanado, Emperor, etc.  Only small differences.

Also, if you are on the Cotai side and don't want to travel, go to the Japanese sauna that is close by.  Its ok there.

try both Rio and D1.
Rio for the facilities, and big-titties DongBei WGs.
D1 for the no-frill hard-core action, and quality Thai model WGs.

go to D1 around 5-7pm, for maximum girls line-up.
for Rio, go after 3pm. now they have no girls before 3pm.

Rio is a classic.  Had the best girls in the past. Has pretty decent girls currently.

East Castle is my regular spot, again had the best girls but quality has been slipping.  

Both are very foreigner and first timer friendly if you are concerned.  Price at Rio is slightly lower than ECS.