A Luxury Hotel and So Much More
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is not just a phenomenal luxury hotel with amazing views; it’s an architectural and entertainment marvel.
This iconic complex boasts a 1,300,000 sq ft convention-exhibition center, the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, a museum, a large theater, 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.
But perhaps its most iconic feature is the Sands SkyPark, a rooftop observation deck connecting the three hotel towers. This architectural feat houses the world’s largest public cantilevered platform, which dramatically overhangs the north tower. And crowning it all is an infinity swimming pool offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Singapore skyline and the sea.
MBS is a modern marvel on many levels, and it was an absolute delight to explore and spend time at during our residence 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. However, the most unique store is the ultra-luxurious Louis Vuitton, housed in 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 price, from the low-end starting at their hawker-style food court, all the way up to the iconic Spago’s on the roof.
The Casino
With over 1,000 gaming tables, 1,400 slot machines, and multiple floors of exciting gambling options, Marina Bay Sands Casino offers top-tier entertainment. The casino has a great ambiance, but the layout can make it feel enormous when you’re inside. Still, if you’re in Singapore and enjoy gambling, 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 entry, and expats will need to provide their passports at the entrance.
The Hotel & Pool
We visited MBS many times over the three years we lived in Singapore, but nothing beats 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-19. While Singapore was handling the pandemic well, we were looking for every opportunity we could to feel like life was returning to normal.
Still wearing masks for anything indoors and required to reserve COVID-19 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, but they also served as my biking route/sanctuary four to five days a week. Whether I was enjoying my morning bike rides through the gardens or observing the Bishan otters playing in packs around the area, it remains one of my favorite places for a long bike ride.
We also enjoyed taking our visitors to Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, located within the Gardens, or experiencing amazing events like the Chihuly exhibit, which featured incredibly colorful blown glass installations throughout the park. And if you love heights, you can also walk the suspended walkway among the “Supertrees,” culminating in 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, featuring a retractable roof and a waterfall cascading through the roof, is a popular tourist attraction among locals and tourists.
Check out the current installations and purchase tickets online if you’re planning to visit the museum.
Biking around Marina Bay Gardens (MBS) and the surrounding bay is one of my favorite rides of all time. The gardens themselves are a joy to explore at every turn, but once you cycle past the iconic lotus flower, make the turn around MBS, and catch a glimpse of the stunning Singapore skyline, it makes the 2-hour bike ride in the heat fly by.
It’s also a fantastic mix of scenery. The gardens offer a tranquil and serene escape, while just a short ride away lies the bustling energy in front of the hotel and shops. Whether you’re running, biking, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll, navigating this area is always fun and entertaining.