The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is an instantly recognisable structure, a much revered experience and a much talked about place to stay in Singapore.
It’s also one of the most expensive places my partner and I stayed during our time travelling in South East Asia, but I wouldn’t say that we regret the expense.
When we planned our trip to Singapore we knew we’d only have one weekend in this small but perfectly formed hub of history and business. We wanted to make the most of it. So for that reason we booked two nights in Marina Bay Sands.
We’ll get to that pool later but first it’s worth describing how Marina Bay Sands Hotel differs from any other hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
First Impressions
From the moment you arrive you become aware that this is not a traditional hotel stay. Our taxi joined a train of other taxis dropping people off at one of the two pick-up and drop-off entrances.
We walked inside one of eight sets of double doors to a space the size of an airport terminal and were surrounded by the equivalent flow of people filling it.
Before being able to look fully around our surroundings we were approached by a member of staff, given bottles of water and guided across the shiny marble tiled floor to the reception desk – a bank of terminals and smartly dressed people stretching for metres.
Then two things happened that are very typical of our hotel experience.
1. Our room wasn’t ready yet, despite it being after 2pm
and
2. Our credit card didn’t work for the deposit, so we had to pay this in cash, depriving us of all our Singapore dollars.
To say we grumbled a little is being honest, but it paid off as two hours later we were promptly upgraded to a club room on the 45th floor.
I asked which way we were facing – out to see or across the city’s skyline – and was advised that a city view would cost us and extra 50 Singapore dollars a night and wouldn’t be a club room.
We declined, deciding to stick with what our limited good luck had delivered and in fact the sea view didn’t disappoint.
It’s certainly worth being as high as you possibly can to have a full view of the hundreds of ships dotted across the Straits of Singapore, especially at night as you watch the ships’ lights come on, one by one.
Inside our hotel room, we spent a few minutes being bowled over by the size and comfort it offered. But then it was time, we’d waited long enough.
Rooftop Infinity Swimming Pool
Time to check out that amazing, extravagant, swimming pool up on the 57th floor. And in some ways it does need to be seen to be believed. It isn’t as frightening as you’d think and it isn’t as glamorous as you’d hope, thanks to it being full of other gob-smacked and over excited tourists taking their photos against one of the best backdrops in Singapore.
After dipping our toes in, having our obligatory photo taken and enjoying a quick cocktail by the side of the pool, we were exhausted. Just watching everyone else get carried away by the view and the extravagance was tiring; I hadn’t even swum a single stroke.
In a rare moment of inspired genius I suggested to my partner that we return to the scene of the crime at sunrise the following morning – let’s see how many people and cameras were there then!? It was possibly the best idea I ever had as there was no one there!
Marina Bay Sands Casino
Marina Bay Sands, owned by Las Vegas Sands is most expensive standalone casino ever built and you can really see why, even from miles away the iconic and slightly ridiculous outline of the boat is instantly recognisable, once there everything is marble, high class and extremely shiny!
It’s the kind of place your feel like a naughty kid in, somewhere you shouldn’t really be where you’re desperately trying not to cause chaos or make a mess. However inside the Casino it’s a different story, machine upon machine, table upon table it is the ultimate playground! I’m not big on cards or gambling normally so I stuck to the easy peasy stuff like the wheel of fortune and roulette, but it was still awesome fun.
The entry is free if you’re from most countries, just take your passport along to show them at the entry. And yes, I lost all my money but really it was a great experience well worth losing some dollars over!
Of course there more to Marina Bay Sands at night than just the Casino, you can check out the impressive Sky Deck and stand atop the huge boat like structure and look out over Singapore.
Overall
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a luxurious hotel and wonderful experience, if you have the money to spend on it.
Practically speaking to it’s an ideally located hotel – away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore’s grid system – and walking distance to the CBD, Chinatown and the impressive ArtScience Museum.
This a hotel that will only add to your Singapore travel experience, if you have the budget or are willing to splash out.
Keen to stay here? View dates and prices for the Marina Bay Sands on Booking.com.
