A Luxury Hotel and So Much More
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is not only a phenomenal luxury hotel with amazing views, but it possesses one of the most iconic pools in the world, and it doesn’t stop there. The resort also includes a 1,300,000 sq ft convention-exhibition center, the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, a museum, a large theatre, multiple “Celebrity Chef” restaurants, two floating crystal pavilions, art-science exhibits, and the world’s largest atrium casino, with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines.
The complex itself includes three towers topped by the Sands Skypark, a skyway connecting an infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world’s largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower. MBS is a modern marvel on many levels, and one that we loved exploring and spending time at while living in Singapore.
The Shops and Restaurants
You can shop until you drop at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, featuring over 100,000 sqft of retail space. Of course there are plenty of high-end name brands throughout the complex, Prada, Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany’s, but the most unique store is the ultra lush, Louie Vuitton, a separate building on the water at the front of the main entrance to the building.
After you work up an appetite shopping, try one of the more than 80 restaurants MBS has to offer. They range in all prices, the low-end starting at their hawker style food court, and all the way up from there, including the iconic Spago’s on the roof.
The Casino
With over 1,000 gaming tables, 1,400 slot machines, and multiple floors of gambling ecstasy, Marina Bay Sands Casino is top level entertainment. The casino has a great feel, but the layout does makes it feel enormous when you’re inside. Still, if you’re in Singapore, and you love to gamble, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Just be advised that if you are planning on visiting the casino at MBS, there can be a fee imposed for entering, and expats will need to provide their passports at entry.
The Hotel & Pool
We visited MBS many times over the 3 years we lived in Singapore, but nothing beat the time we stayed there for my 45th birthday. The year was 2020 and we were just over six months into our first year dealing with COVID. While Singapore was doing well, we were looking for every opportunity we could to feel like life was normal again. Still wearing masks for anything indoors, and required to reserve COVID timeslots for the pool, we didn’t care. Our amazing hotel room was on one of the top floors overlooking the bay and downtown, and all of the restaurants and pools were open. We were just happy to be out and about in a semi-normal setting.
The Gardens
The Marina Bay Sands Gardens next to the MBS towers are not only gorgeous, and one of the most photographed locations in Singapore, they were also my biking route/sanctuary four to five days a week. Whether I was guiding my morning bike ride through the gardens, or observing the Bishan otters run in packs around the area, it’s still one of my favorite places for a long bike ride. .
We also enjoyed taking our visitors to Cloud dome and Flower dome, located in the Gardens, or experiencing amazing events like the Chihuly exhibit, that featured incredibly colorful blown glass installations all over the park. And if you love heights, you can also walk the suspended walkway among the “Super Trees”, ending up at a bar at the top of the forest for a curated cocktail and some live music.
An Art Museum With A Unique Shape And Story
Disguised as a weirdly shaped futuristic lotus flower, MBS’s squatty little awkward brother is more than just a unique structure to look at. The ArtScience Museum, which features a retractable roof, and a waterfall through the roof, is a popular tourist attraction among locals and tourists.
Check out the current installations and buy tickets online if you’re thinking about visiting the museum. ArtScience Museum
Biking around Marina Bay Gardens (MBS) and the surrounding bay is one of my favorite rides of all time. The gardens alone are a joy at every turn, but once you hit the iconic lotus flower, make the turn around MBS, and catch a glimpse of downtown Singapore, it’s makes a 2hr bike ride in the heat fly by.
It’s also a great mix of sceneries. The gardens are incredibly tranquil and serene, but it’s a short ride away from the frenetic pace in front of the hotel and shops. A great place for running, biking, or just a long scenic walk, it’s fun and entertaining navigating it all. See More