If you are not familiar with the Marina Bay Sands Resort or The Marina Bay Sands Pool, let me be the first to introduce you to the best $400 hotel room that is worth the cost!
Marina Bay Sands is a five-star luxury hotel resort located in Singapore. The hotel is famous for its unusual design, which many say looks like a ship afloat in three 55-story towers. Then there is the sprawling casino, celebrity chef restaurants, and impeccable service. It is most famous for its rooftop infinity pool, the world’s highest and longest.
Opening in 2010 and costing $5.88 billion, this is no ordinary resort. The resort sits on 49 acres facing Singapore’s Marina Bay.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read ourdisclosure and privacy policyfor more information.
Marina Bay Sands Facts
- 2561 rooms and suites.
- A 1,300,000 sq. ft convention-exhibition center that can accommodate 45,000 people.
- 800,000 sq. ft mall called “The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.”
- Home to the ArtScience museum that hosts numerous exhibits that continuously change. The Museum is shaped like a lotus flower and has a sustainability feature of harvesting rainwater for its restrooms.
- This mega-resort boasts two large theatres that offer a variety of productions ranging from concerts to Broadway shows.
- There are many celebrity chef restaurants and 60 places to choose from – every cuisine is represented.
- The casino is the world’s largest, with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines.
- The SkyPark, which is a rooftop park, can hold 3,900 people.
- The infinity swimming pool is the highest in the world.
- The Marina Bay Sands pool made the hotel Instagram‘s 2017’s most Instagrammed hotel worldwide.
- It is the most expensive standalone integrated resort property ever built.
- It took five years to complete construction.
- Moshe Safdie designed the resort, and the Las Vegas Sands corporation owns it.
The Marina Bay Sands Pool
Where do we start with the Marina Bay Sands pool? The reality is most people are here for the pool. At least, almost all first-timers. So how do you describe this iconic pool? The Marina Bay Sands pool is much bigger than you think. I imagined it being jam-packed with people and no loungers available. That’s not the case. There is plenty of room, and we were able to get a lounger upon arrival.
While it’s vast in length at 478 feet, it’s not deep and about four feet deep. However, it’s a record holder. The pool is constructed with 422,000 pounds of stainless steel and holds 376,500 gallons of water. It’s perched on top of the hotel, 57 stories high, the highest in the world. And the backdrop is the city.
I would describe being in The Marina Bay Sands pool as immersing yourself in the sky, at one with the Gods. It’s a surreal experience. You almost feel like you are floating through the sky amidst the clouds. When you reach the edge and peek over, you feel the overwhelming sense of being suspended above the city. Yet, it does not feel intimidating. I would go as far as to say it’s calming and petrified of heights.
People ask if it’s a sheer drop from the edge. The answer is no, there are several layers underneath the side, but you must look over to see them.
Can you access The Marina Bay Sands Pool without staying?
A hard and fast no. You MUST be a registered guest with your key card. No booking a room and inviting your crew, no sneaking in, and no “I forgot my card.” There are turnstiles to get into the pool, which is fiercely guarded.
Once upon a time, when Marina Bay Sands first opened, they did allow public access to the pool. This latest is a millisecond. As you can imagine, the pool became overcrowded. As a result, it’s strictly for guests only.
Now you can search and find some articles people claim to have successfully snook in. I’m sure on the odd occasion it’s possible but know this! In Singapore, trespassing is a civil tort and can be considered criminal. The hotel can and will evict you. Worse they could have you arrested. Criminal trespass carries a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a $1,500 fine.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not up for this kind of drama. Don’t be cheap; cough up the cash, and enjoy the pool as a paying customer!
Checking In
First, be prepared for a long line. Something odd for a resort of this size. The reason for the long check is there are only a few agents and perhaps the smallest check-in desk I’ve ever seen for a resort of this size. Think about it; the resort is commonly sold out. So, this means at least 2561 guests are swirling in and out at any given time.
The Lobby
I reserved a bay view room, which is a must for any first-time visitor. Upon check-in, the front desk tried to persuade me into a city view upgrade. No, thank you, I specifically chose the bay view to see Gardens by the Bay. Here is the view from our balcony:
There is a show from the city side, the Spectra, a light and water show. While watching it from your room, it will be through the glass. I advise going for the garden view and watching the Spectra from the promenade.
Check-in time is from 3 pm onwards, and checkout time is by 11 am. I requested a later checkout and persuaded them to have the room until 1 pm.
Gardens By The Bay Light Show:
We watched this from our balcony:
TIP: Only the bayside has balconies, and it’s an upgrade to secure a bay view room, which is known as a “Garden View.”
Types of Rooms
Choosing the right room is a must; it’s doubtful you will get a complimentary upgrade. Marina Bay Sands has its loyalty program; it’s not a part of a broader chain, so don’t expect VIP treatment unless you pay for it. Rooms cost anywhere from $350 to several thousand, so brace yourself.
There are five main types of rooms and several suites to choose from:
- Deluxe Room – no bathtub
- Premier Room – bathtub
- Family Room – room, studio, or two bedrooms
- Club Room – bathtub and access to Club55
- Grand Club Room – bathroom, living room, etc.
Then we get into the suites, which I’m not going to cover. They are for ballers, the mega-wealthy, and way beyond reach for me.
With all the rooms, you choose your bed type and view type; in almost all cases, the garden view costs more.
Our Room
I booked the premier king garden view room, which cost a staggering $415. I was deliberate about this due to the view. Once we made it up to our room, it immediately became apparent why no one blinks at the cost. The room is massive with wall-to-wall sliders, and the window treatments are remotely controlled. The balcony is spacious, and the view is priceless.
The bathroom is impressive, with a soaking bathtub, separate shower room, and toilet.
Then there are the full-size Roberto Cavalli toiletries. Talk about luxury!
Then there is the bed. Oh, heavenly night’s sleep. The beds are divine, precisely what you would expect from a luxury hotel with traditional crisp cotton sheets.
Some people have said that they think the Marina Bay Sands rooms are not as decedent as imagined. I think they are over the top but understated. What I mean is there is no flashy gold, no shiny bright colors, and no tack. The design is simple, but it’s elegant.
Restaurants at Marina Bay Sands
There are so many restaurants to choose from. It’s overwhelming. Some of the restaurants are exclusive to Marina Bay Sands, and several are Celerity Chef restaurants like Gordon Ramsey, Wolfgang Puck, and Daniel Boulud, to name a few.
Many people opt not to dine on-site due to the costs. We chose to give it a whirl, but we decided on Rising, the iconic buffet. I’m not a fan of buffets, so this was an odd choice for us. I’ll be honest! Brian and I were hungover from the night before’s Karaoke TV (KTV) escapade. Having already walked through the entire hotel, played the casino, and shopped. We had walked a brisk three miles with banging heads and were knackered.
The buffet is conveniently located in the lobby, so it was a no-brainer. Well, except for the price tag. It cost us almost $200 for two. Was it worth it? Sort of.
Rise Restaurant
The rise has a unique selection of high-end food. Imagine any shellfish on a raw bar, any fish, T-bone lamb chops, prime rib, chilly crab – you name it’s here. So, what’s the challenge?
Politely stated that the food is clearly cooked in advance and sits there stewing. Typical with any buffet, right? No, not at all. I don’t want to eat cold chilly crab that is half heated, nor do I want to eat cold lamb chops.
I will say this, the raw bar alone made up for the other fare. The tuna, the octopus, and the oysters were worth the money. So, if you enjoy sushi or other raw delicacies, you will enjoy it. Avoid this place if you’re looking for food cooked to your taste or warm enough to eat.
What You Need To Enjoy Marina Bay Sands
Before you shop at Marina Bay, here are some items you should consider in advance. Especially the selfie stick if you want to capture draw-dropping photos.
