MARINA BAY SANDS HOTEL
3 NIGHTS IN SINGAPORE LUXURY
ARRIVING AT MARINA BAY SANDS
I opened the door to my room at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Inside it was dark. But only for a moment. As I swung open the door there was a whirr of motors as the curtains automatically opened.
It was dark outside too, but beyond the floor to ceiling windows was a view of the bright lights of the skyscrapers surrounding Marina Bay, which illuminated the room.
A spectacular skyline.
Welcome to Singapore!
WHY MARINA BAY SANDS?
It was December 2019 and I was at the end of a four week adventure around a few of Asia’s highlights.
But as there are good direct flight connections from the UK to Singapore this is a great hub city for exploring the region. So, having flown into Singapore weeks before, I had a return flight booked from here too.
That gave me the opportunity to split my Singapore trip into two, at the start and end of my journey.
I had already had a few days in this city state at the beginning of my expedition. That time I stayed in a more modest, but very nice hotel, in keeping with my budget.
For the last few days of this epic journey I had decided to splash out, have a bit of luxury and enjoy doing a few things you can only do as a guest of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
MARINA BAY
Singapore is a small country with limited space. So in 1969 it began a process of land reclamation around the area of Marina Bay.
This culminated in 1992 with the completion of an additional 360 hectares of reclaimed land.
The Marina Bay waterfront land was then developed further, with a number of large developments, such as the splendid Gardens by the Bay, which is a must see while you are here.
And of course the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
MARINA BAY SANDS
Marina Bay Sands is not just a hotel, but a resort complex which was opened in 2010.
As well as the modern landmark of the three towered hotel there is a casino, shopping area, theatre and the Art Science Museum. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants, including a few owned by Celebrity Chefs.
The five star luxury hotel’s three towers are 55 storeys high. They’re linked at the top by a one hectare roof terrace, which takes you up to floor 57.
There are observation decks and bars open to the public. Here you can see amazing views of the city on one side and the Gardens by the Bay overlooking the sea on the other.
The rooftop playground of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel also has things to do that the general public can’t access, but I’ll come back to that!
CHECK IN
Much like when you go on a cruise ship and spend the first couple of days just trying to find your bearings. The experience of the Marina Bay Sands lobby is very similar.
It is huge and vibrant. Full of life, restaurants, shops and people!
In one corner is the hotel reception desk where you check in and out.
Now as I mentioned at the start I was going to enjoy a bit of five star luxury for this stay. Even so there are degrees of luxury and the prices of various levels of hotel room reflected this.
And of course prices are per room, per night. No discount for being a solo traveller. There’s only so much luxury I can afford.
So I opted for the cheapest rooms, which are on levels one to nine. Even so you are in a luxury hotel, so cheap is relative, and so is the definition of basic. They looked extremely nice. And I was paying for the experience of staying in the hotel not just a room.
However I can’t actually give you a review of these rooms, because at check in I was offered a complimentary upgrade. Yes, of course I’ll take it!!
I rarely get upgrades, so when it happens its like the best bonus ever. I have to say this one really was a super bonus.
THE 26TH FLOOR
And so after taking the high speed elevator about half way up Tower One I arrived at room 2627 of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
The door opened to the unveiling of the city skyline of Singapore through that wall of windows. I had arrived at 7pm and everywhere was lit up in that beautiful way that cities everywhere light up after dark.
I was already on a high with my upgrade, but this piece of theatre as I walked into my room knocked it up another level. This must be 5 star living!
My room
The highlight of room 2627 was the wall of floor to ceiling windows.
The room had a double bed, positioned nicely so you could enjoy the view.
It was really nicely decorated and came with all of the usual things you expect from any hotel room.
There was a small table and chairs in a seating area by the window.
Underneath the wall mounted television was a long cabinet, with room service snacks available. Further along was a desk by the window. Surfaces soon covered with my clutter!
Then off the entrance hall corridor was a large bathroom, with a toilet cubicle on one side and a shower on the other. In between was a spacious sink area.
Nice little luxuries included complimentary bottles of water. Not much, but I’ll take all the perks I can get.
There was an iron and ironing board too. I had spent 4 weeks living out of a suitcase, so it was nice to go out for the night not being crumpled.
One of my favourite parts of the room though were the electric curtains. There was a switch by the bed. In the morning I could push a button to see the day time view of Singapore’s skyline appear while I lay in bed. I’m like a child sometimes.
One day it wasn’t the nicest of weather, but being on the 27th floor clouds floated past the window. Goodness knows what that was like on level 55.
City vs Garden View
I didn’t get a choice of room thanks to my upgrade, so the city view was what I was given.
You can probably tell I was happy with that.
On the opposite side of the towers were the Garden view rooms, which looked out over the Gardens by the Bay with their Supertree Grove. The sea was a back drop to that view.
The Supertrees put on a nightly light show in the Gardens, which is a must to see. Obviously you would also see that from your room.
I did speak to someone with that view and they were a bit disappointed as it was a bit far away to appreciate. But everyone has their own preferences.
The Singapore Skyline view would definitely be my recommendation if you are choosing though.
FOOD AND DRINK
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and the complex generally, have loads of places to eat and drink.
You can check out the current list on their website. I guess like bars and restaurants everywhere some come and go. One of the ones I ate at is no longer there.
Some are located off the hotel lobby. Others in “The Shoppes” shopping and dining complex outside the front of the hotel.
And then there are even more on the observation platform.
Bars
Alcohol is already expensive in Singapore and you can add on a premium in the rooftop bars with their 57th floor views. I was paying the equivalent of £13 a pint in 2019, just for lager. Unusually the “local” Tiger Beer is way cheaper in England.
You are in a luxury hotel though. Save worrying about the bill until later and enjoy it.
I have to say the views over Singapore and Marina Bay, with a cool beer in your hand, are amazing. The bars were always full and had an fantastic lively atmosphere.
The Ce La Vi Sky Bar had those spectacular views and a real buzz about it.
Meanwhile Spago had a much more chilled out atmosphere, perfect for a glass of wine or a cocktail and you can eat there too.
Restaurants
I also took the chance to dine at Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen. I’ve seen enough of his chef competitions to know they make a lot of beef wellingtons. I decided to try that as my last meal before I went home.
It really was delicious, despite the celebrity price tag.
The restaurant had a really cool atmosphere.
When I asked for a table for one they did that American thing and offered me a seat at the bar.
It actually worked well as there were a few other solo diners and the bar staff were really attentive.
REWARDS AND PERKS
Sands Rewards
Marina Bay Sands has its own rewards programme, “Sands Rewards”.
This can be used throughout the hotel and complex and like other schemes you gain points based on your spend.
Your hotel room adds points, but only after you settle your bill at the end of your stay. So I have some credit left on my card, which does have an expiry date. Even so they were very good extending it during Covid and so my points are still valid if I get back to Singapore some time soon.
So is it worth signing up for a short stay? Definitely.
I got a small amount of sign up bonuses. Then the card came with a bundle of discount vouchers. I used the two for one cocktails voucher straight away. Well I have mentioned alcohol was expensive! These also encourage you to try the various on site restaurants and other facilities.
I also earned credit from my meals in the restaurants and that was processed quicker.
The points equate to money off, so I did actually get a small discount off my bill when I checked out.
Clearly the benefits of this scheme are greater if you visit Singapore and the hotel frequently. Look into it and see if the scheme works for you.
Either way I would recommend signing up.
Top Tip: Sign up for the Sands Rewards Scheme as soon as you arrive at the hotel to maximise your reward opportunities.
Hotel Room Keycard
The fact that you are a guest in the hotel is a perk in itself.
Anyone can visit the hotel, but some facilities are exclusive to hotel guests.
Your keycard is like a magic pass.
Certain bars seem to be exclusive for guests too. I remember showing my card quite a few times.
So make the most of it. That’s why I had chosen to stay in a luxury hotel and I tried to use as much of the place as possible.
THE INFINITY POOL
“Don’t forget to look with your eyes”
There is one big perk that is only available to hotel guests.
That observation deck on the top of the hotel also includes a huge infinity pool across its length, that looks out over the skyscrapers of Singapore.
If you have Instagram (and don’t forget to follow @gary_t.ravels if you do) then you will have no doubt seen a thousand photos of people posing in this pool.
It must be one of the most Instagrammable places in the World.
I cannot deny that taking that selfie in the Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool was the primary reason I was staying in the hotel.
But it was so worth it!
Five minutes of fear
Heights don’t bother me, so I don’t know whether it would be off putting being in a swimming pool, 57 floors up, that looks like it has no edge.
My five minutes of fear were taking the selfies. I was paranoid I was going to drop my phone in the pool.
It was only five minutes though. I got the all important photos and then I put my phone away.
My holiday mantra, which I have to chant to myself constantly on my travels because I really have no discipline, is “Don’t forget to look with your eyes!”
Its all too easy to spend all your time looking at the places you visit through a screen or view finder, and not actually really see them.
So with no more screens to distract me I had a swim. I needed that to warm up as the water was freezing. I always thought it was hot in Singapore.
Then I hung onto the edge of the pool and just took in all the little features of the city.
You can spot rooftop gardens on the skyscrapers in the business district.
I could just about spot Clarke’s Quay where I had stayed on the first leg of my visit.
And below overlooking Marina Bay was the city’s Merlion fountain, looking tiny surrounded by tourists in the distance.
All things to go and see if you are visiting Singapore, but I’ll save that for another post.
Lounge by the pool
Next to the pool are sun beds, also for exclusive use of guests.
This is another one of those places where the keycard works its magic. The area has turnstiles activated by your card. The General public are limited to the Observation decks at the ends, which you can still visit for free too.
It was nice, even on the cloudy day I was there. I can only imagine what it is like on a beautiful sunny day.
There was bar service, so an afternoon by the pool is quite lovely.
I was lounging next to another solo traveller, so we spent a while comparing notes too.
In fact even though I was travelling on my own the whole stay was quite a sociable experience. So don’t worry about staying there as a solo traveller.
THINGS TO DO AT MARINA BAY SANDS
Aside from just enjoying the hotel there are other things worth seeing and doing at the Marina Bay Sands resort.
The Shoppes
Shopping is not really my thing on holiday.
However if you like to buy a holiday treat or even just browse some designer shops then The Shoppes complex is there for you.
Sands Theatre
The Sands Theatre is also in the complex at the front of the hotel and seems to have some great shows.
When I was there I had chance to see “Sweeney Todd” starring the West End and Broadway star Lea Salonga.
I just went along to the Box Office and got a ticket on the day, but you might want to pre book if you know what’s on.
They had “Cats” coming shortly after.
Art Science Museum
The Art Science Museum, is the weirdly shaped building that sits near the base of the hotel.
This has both permanent and changing exhibitions.
So again while I was there I saw Disney’s “Magic of Animation : The Exhibition” as well as a couple of futuristic exhibits that were showing at the time.
I booked a timed ticket for this one on my last afternoon. Booking through the hotel concierge I got a hotel guest discount off the ticket price.
Helpful Hint: Have a look at my Best Travel Experiences blog post to learn why Singapore Slings are on that list.
Gardens by the Bay
The Gardens by the Bay are not part of the Marina Bay Sands complex, but you can’t miss them from the hotel.
There is a walking route that makes this one an easy place to visit.
Marina Bay Light Show
On the other side of the hotel there was a lights, music and water show on the waterfront of Marina Bay.
It was free and worth going to see, but was somewhat dwarfed by the backdrop of the Marina Bay Sand Hotel Towers behind it and the skyscrapers across the water.
It lacked a bit in comparison to similar lights and music shows I have seen at other iconic landmarks, like the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, the lights and fountains at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, or the laser show over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.
Even the light show from the Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove was more impressive.
However there were crowds of people there to enjoy it.
I had time to see the show before I headed to the airport. Its convenient and another thing to say you have seen.
CHECK OUT
I was slightly disappointed that check out time at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is 11am.
At the very least I thought a luxury hotel would give you until midday.
I had an evening flight, so having my room for as long as possible would give me flexibility.
In addition your access to the infinity pool area was linked to your keycard, so lapsed on check out.
The hotel did however send me an email survey to check how my stay was going. Good customer service.
Its fair to say I couldn’t fault anything in the hotel, but mentioned this as a minor niggle.
Within an hour I had a call from customer service offering me a late check out of 3pm.
Amazing. I would never have thought to ask.
That was perfect. I was able to enjoy the morning in the hotel. Revisit the pool for a last lounge and swim before lunch.
I didn’t even need until 3pm as I had my timed ticket for the Art Science museum at 2pm, so checked out just before.
My cases were stored with the concierge team until I left the hotel later that evening.
It really couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.
IS THE MARINA BAY SANDS HOTEL WORTH IT?
That is a good question.
It is not cheap, so depending on your budget there are cheaper hotels in Singapore.
But if like me you are only staying for a couple of nights it is an affordable luxury and everyone likes a treat once in a while.
In fact someone told me that a lot of people sailing on cruises from Singapore stay there the night before the cruise as a perfect start to their holiday.
The Infinity Pool was everything I imagined. It was the reason I booked and a highlight to tick off my travel list.
There is plenty to do nearby too.
For me it was handy that I was on the second leg of my trip. I was content to stay in this area of Singapore at night, having already explored other parts of the city last time.
Even so the hotel is located at the Bayfront stop of the MRT (Mass Rail Transit) system. That made it easy to get out to places like the Botanic Gardens and to and from the airport.
All in all I had a five star time at the five star Marina Bay Sands Hotel. It was worth every penny.
Would I stay there again? You know what, I really would.
GARY TRAVELS… ON YOUTUBE
You’ve read the blog post about my stay at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Now you can also watch the video!
From the clouds floating past my bedroom window, to the strange faces I make in the Infinity Pool.
Search for Gary Travels (@gary_travels) or follow the link to my YouTube Channel for more of Singapore and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
