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At 57 stories, the three towers of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Hotel support the world’s largest infinity pool, bars, restaurants, and a cantilevered viewing platform. Architecturally attractive, it’s an engineering wonder, and the most expensive hotel we have ever stayed in. Risking spoiling the conclusion of this Marina Bay Sands review, I will tell you, in a word, YES. I believe Marina Bay Sands hotel is worth the money.

The three towers of Marina Bay Sands is the best place to stay in Singapore
Marina Bay Sands hotel.

Our Marina Bay Sands review

Table of Contents

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Staying here, I ticked off a bucket list item. For me, it was worth every penny. We opted for a city view between floors 19 and 39. The lobby is a masterpiece, and the rooms enchanting.

  • Looking down on Marina Bay Sands main floor from the bridge that crosses to Gardens by the Bay
    Looking towards towers 2 and 3
  • Marnia Bay Sands inside from the walkway
    Overlooking the lobby
  • Lobby area of Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore
    Lobby

Our Premier King room

Entering our Premier King room, the floor to ceiling windows captivated my attention, offering spectacular views both day and night. Our choice of a city view was a good one. Singapore city stretched out before our eyes, and our view even included the famous Merlion. I knew instantly that the table near the windows would win out over the desk as my spot for writing.

The room was larger than I expected and was accented with anything we might need from bedside lights and USB ports to a well-stocked minibar. They even went the extra mile and gifted to us a tempting double slice of chocolate anniversary cake.

Draped in a down comforter and pillows, our king bed was the perfect combination of firmness and exquisite luxury. As I suspected, sleep came easily both nights.

And then there is the bathroom. Larger than mine at home, the shower alone was bigger than the bathroom of the ship we had just disembarked. 

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  • Bathtub, sinks, and accessories in our Marina Bay Sands hotel room
    Our bathroom
  • Desk and TV in our Marina Bay Sands premier room
    Desk in our room
  • Special chocolate cake for our anniversary
    Surprise!
  • Floor to ceiling windows in our Premier King City View room in Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore
    Our Premier King City View room

Be inspired . . .

Marina Bay Sands pool

My expectations were high. Yet, like everything here, the Marina Bay Sands pool exceeded my wildest fantasy. At 150 metres in length, it is the world’s largest infinity pool. And the view from the 57th floor is beyond breath-taking.

I was pleased to discover, there are enough deck chairs for everyone, and of course, pool towels are plentiful. While some loungers are shaded, those at the pool’s edge stand in ankle-deep water. Across the pool, the water dropped off into an abyss. If you didn’t understand the term “infinity pool” before this moment, there would be no question now.

Jeff and Rhonda Albom in the world's largest infinity pool overlooking Singapore

A combination of the hot and humid Singapore weather, and the inviting water temperature, it didn’t take long for me to deposit my towel and robe on an empty bench and glide into the pool.

  • Morning is more crowded in the Marina Bay Sands Singapore infinity pool
    The pool is more crowded in the morning, before check out.
  • Underwater in the Marina Bay Sands swimming pool, entrance only for guests
    I actually had a swim.
  • One guest with a selfie tripod in the Marina Bay Sands hotel pool
    The girl on the bench has a selfie tripod and spent the entire time we were there taking photos of herself without ever entering the water.

⇒ Check Marina Bay Sands room rates

Frequently asked questions about the Marina Bay Sands swimming pool

What is the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool entrance fee?

Probably one of the most common questions asked, and the one that fosters the greatest disappointment. The pool is only available for hotel guests.

When is the best time to use the infinity pool?

The least crowded time to visit the pool is between 10.30 am and 3 pm. That is because check out is at 11 am, and check-in starts at 3 pm. If you are staying more than one night, this gives you a unique time opportunity.

Is the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool safe?

Don’t be stupid for a selfie. Sitting on the outer edge of the pool will have the lifeguard’s whistle blow before you can hit the shutter release. I am not sure what would happen on a second offence, but Singapore does have some pretty rigid laws. In reality, and spoiling the infinity illusion a bit, there is actually a safety ledge, making it impossible to accidentally fall off. The safety ledge protecting guest in Singapore Marina Bay Sands pool

What to bring for Marina Bay Sands

Singapore is tropical, just 110 km (70 miles) off the equator. While there is a dry and wet season, it generally rains all year, just less in the dry season.

We pack light, as a result, we use virtually the same list for every trip. For Marina Bay Sands, we needed swimwear and smart casual for some of the restaurants. Both of these are already on our list.

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Marina Bay Sands Dining

With over 80 restaurants in the Marina Bay Sands complex, there is something for everyone. The five that stand out to us:

  • Drink at Bread Street Kitchen in Singapore
  • Salmon at Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen in Singapore
  • Gluten free dessert at Bread Street Kitchen in Singapore
  • hamburger and fries
  • Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay: This celebrity chef restaurant on the waterfront (in the mall) was a big hit for Jeff and I. Not only was the food delicious, but they also had specialty menus for both gluten-free and dairy-free, so I had lots of choices.
  • Marina Bay Sands bar poolside: With food and drinks served poolside, there was really no reason to leave.
  • Cé La Vi Restaurant and SkyBar: Located on the 57th floor, alongside the infinity pool, Cé La Vi offers non-hotel guests an opportunity to get up to the top without either paying an entrance fee (SkyPark) or being a guest. It’s a bit expensive, but you are paying for the view.
  • Spago Bar and Lounge: another bar and restaurant option on the 57th floor available to the public.
  • Renku Bar and Lounge: A lobby bar that we found to be the perfect spot to relax and have a cup of iced coffee, although they are more famous for cocktails.

Marina Bay Sands Shops

Complimenting the shopping options in the hotel itself, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is an upscale mall featuring 170 luxury and premium brand stores. The mall is connected to the hotel via a tunnel, or you can walk outdoors to cross the street.

If it is what you want, there is no shortage of Marina Bay Sands shopping opportunities, even a shopping concierge service to do your pre-shopping for you.

River and boats runs through centre of Marina Bay Sands shop
Like Venice or Vegas, there are boats on the ground floor of the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

Sands SkyPark observation deck boasts the spectacular 360-degree views you would expect from the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. In fact, it is the world’s largest public cantilevered platform.
⇒ Get a skip-the-line entrance ticket to Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

The view from the Marina Bay Sands rooftop infinity pool
I took this shot in the pool, but the observation deck is on the same rooftop.

Spectra sound and light show

Impressive, nightly, and free. Spectra is an amazing sound and light show. If you time it right, you can easily see it plus the Garden Rhapsody sound and light show at Gardens by the Bay on the same evening. Go to Garden Rhapsody first, at 7.45, and then relax and wait for the 9 pm Spectra show, or one hour later for both on Friday and Saturday.

  • Spectra is Marina Bay Sands light show over the water
  • Spectra is Marina Bay Sands laser show that is free every night

More to know about your visit

  • Join the Sands Rewards Club before you spend any money, and you will get credit for all your meals and shopping in addition to your room stay. There is a membership desk in the lobby.
  • There is an MRT station just below the hotel.
  • An elevator will take you up to a bridge that crosses to the Gardens by the Bay.
  • If you are not staying at the hotel, and don’t want to pay for the SkyPark Observation deck, you can get a drink at either bar or restaurant on the 57th (top) floor.
  • Marina Bay Sands has a strong and positive corporate social responsibility programme.
  • Marina Bay Sands opened on April 27, 2010, and cost a total investment equivalent to US$5.6 billion, including the 15.5 hectares of land.
  • There are 2,561 hotel rooms and suites.

⇒ Click here to book your stay at Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore

The famous hotel in Singapore lit up at night.
Marina Bay Sands at night

Nothing’s perfect, the negative in this Marina Bay Sands review

I have heard many people complain that the hotel is so big it is impersonal. Others balk at the price. For me, it was pure paradise. The only negative, we didn’t see quite as much of Singapore as we would have liked as we spent too much time enjoying the Marina Bay Sands pool.

Things to see and do in Singapore

Occasionally, you might want to leave the hotel and explore Singapore, a unique city filled with modern architecture surrounded by a surprising amount of nature. There are gardens, cultural experiences, culinary excellence, and much more. See our list of things to do in Singapore for Couples

First-time visitors should start by reading this Singapore travel guide.

Other Singapore hotels

Of course, there are plenty of other Singapore accommodation options, ranging from backpackers to stunning five-star resorts. However, as you read in this Marina Bay Sands review, it will always be my top choice. If you want to see what else is out there click here to out the Singapore options at Hotels Combined

Conclusion – Is Marina Bay Sands worth it?

For me, it was a big yes!

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  • Marina Bay Sands is a stunning Singapore hotel that is architecturally interesting and an engineering wonder
  • The rooms in Marina Bay Sands Hotel offer floor to ceiling windows with incredible views of Singapore.
  • The world's largest infinity pool on the 57th floor rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore

Will you stay at Marina Bay Sands next time you are in Singapore?

⇒ Click here to make your Marina Bay Sands booking

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Disclaimer: Although we worked with the local tourism board, Visit Singapore, and were provided various entrances throughout the city, we were not sponsored for Marina Bay Sands. I received no compensation for writing this review but rather did it to share somewhere wonderful with my readers. The opinions expressed here are strictly our own.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I would go to Singapore just to stay in that unbelievable hotel. You don’t have to go any other place in Singapore. The rooms are amazing and the pool, oh my goodness. I jut love this place.

    Rhonda, have a Merry Christmas my wonderful friend. See ya.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply

  6. Wow, what a luxurious break! The room looks lovely and the view from the infinity pool looks breath-taking! Sometimes it is worth a little splurge for experiences like these. Thanks for the great review! Hannah

    Reply

  10. I felt the EXACT SAME WAY! Though unfortunately there was a lightning storm with heavy rain, so we couldn’t really enjoy the pool, but it was still nice!

    Reply

  11. We’re so che–p, er, I mean frugal, that we thought the price for the elevator to the observation deck was too high. We got our high floor view from the Raffles Sky Bar. It was Ladies Night, so my cover was $0 and we shared a “free” Singapore Sling. It was worth the $25 cover for Mr. Excitement and was a romantic last night in Singapore. I can certainly understand why you were content to stand in a pool (it’s definitely hot and humid), but the Singapore botanical gardens were well worth the sweat, if you return.

    Reply

  15. It looks beautiful there. I love the way your room looked. I would have been terrified in that swimming pool though. I am not a big fan of heights.

    Reply

  17. This would be a dream stay. I love a fancy hotel, so this would be right up my street. And that pool! Wow! I visited Singapore before and enjoyed it, and always wondered about the Marina Bay Sands so it’s great to hear a little more about it

    Reply

  21. Marina Bay Sands was one of my favorite things when I visited Singapore – you’re right, the infinity pool was like heaven! Also I had no idea there were over 80 restaurants in the complex, how cool!

    Reply

  22. Wow what a view! I wanted to go to Singapore next time but I have no budget 🙁
    Even if I go, I might not be able to afford this place lol
    Maybe next time I will be able to go there! So much things to do there too!

    Reply

    • Nice!! Singapore is a wonderful multi cultural country. I was quite fortunate to have stayed there for 4 months back 2005 and can’t wait to go back and hopefully stay at this hotel.

      Reply

  25. That place just seems like my daughter’s version of heaven. She loves the water and could stay there for a whole day. I think it is worth all the money it could possibly cost.

    Reply

  26. We didnt stay, but we visited and made it to the top. It is a gorgeous hotel, great location and love the shopping, complete with skating and canal. Great write up Rhonda.

    Reply

  27. I’d be guessing the view from above would be wonderful. I would definitely like to try staying in Marina Bay Sands, unfortunately for my two visits in in SG, i can only afford backpackers inns. But this is a great review.

    Reply

  30. We did not stay there when we were in Singapore, but we visited. We loved it and will stay there next time!I did not know about these light shows! How did we miss that we were there 3 days! Our daughter did stay there and she got spectacular pictures of her in the pool at night! I did not know about the restaurant on the 57 th floor either! We will be back!

    Reply

  31. Definitely looks like it’s worth it Rhonda. Well worth the pricey cost. I marvel at its scale. I also marvel at how selfie-obsessed dingbats actually risk their lives for a shot like that. The second safety ledge protects people who risk being subject to Darwinism LOL.

    Ryan

    Reply

  32. Hi Rhonda – it looks amazing … I guess the extra plus: would be to be to afford to stay there for a week+ and see more of Singapore, while enjoying the luxury of the Marina Bay Sands … looks like you had a fantastic time … great photos – cheers and have a happy Christmas and festive time – Hilary

    Reply

  34. Hubby and I don’t go cheap when we book rooms. We want the view, the best of the best. I would stay here for sure. I love the Sands Suite. That’s my pick with the harbor view.

    Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥

    Reply

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