This study is the first report on the design, synthesis and photophysical properties of three new macrocyclic receptors based receptors containing two amide bridges. Their binding properties towards trivalent lanthanide ions such as La3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Er3+ and Yb3+ were investigated by using spectroscopic techniques. With respect to emission intensity changes upon trivalent lanthanide ion complexation, macrocyclic receptors based lactam ionophores showed higher selectivity towards Yb3+ and/or Er3+ ion over other ions. Presence of proximal two amide groups in macrocyclic lactam receptors having different cavity size were observed to play an important role in exhibiting its lanthanide ion binding.