Marina Bay Sands

A stay at Marina Bay Sands has been on the bucket list for a while, and after recently ticking it off, I can honestly say, if it's not already on yours then it definitely should be.

When I found out I was heading to Singapore, I knew I wanted to stay at Marina Bay Sands for at least a night, as despite the eye-watering price tag that comes along with a night here I knew it would be worth every penny (and it certainly was!). The over 2500-room luxurious hotel is such an iconic, striking building that it has become a recognisable symbol of Singapore that it is so difficult now to imagine the city without it.

Beyond guest accommodation, the 20-hectare resort houses a 120,000-square-metre convention-exhibition centre, the 74,000-square-metre The Shoppes mall, a museum, two large theatres, seven 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, and of course is topped by a 340-metre-long SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150m infinity swimming pool - so not exactly your average hotel.

THE ROOM.

There is a wide range of different types of room and suite configurations to select from at Marina Bay Sands, all with varying views. Located on the 27th floor in Tower One, we stayed in a Deluxe Garden View Room, which comprised of two queen-sized beds and stunning floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlooked Gardens by the Bay and the water.

Although the room itself was not furnished in a way that blew me away, particularly at the nightly rate paid, the thirty square metre room did feel incredibly spacious, even featuring a mini foyer area upon entry, and still definitely lived up to the property's five-star status.

AMENITIES.

A stay at Marina Bay Sands is all about the pool, and what a pool it is! Sitting high on the property's rooftop, 57 floors above the streets of Singapore, is the iconic Marina Bay Sands infinity-edge pool, considered the largest rooftop infinity pool in the world - it is truly a sight to behold.

The 150m pool is very much exclusively for guests only, with this strictly monitored with each guest requiring a key card to gain entry and exit. The pool, stretching almost the entire length of the property's rooftop is split into three sections, including an adults-only section.

Once you secure a highly prized front-row lounge chair, you'll never want to leave (which we didn't!), and there is really no need to when you can order a selection of food poolside and the cocktail list is so extensive!

DINING.

With a staggering, slightly overwhelming 80 different bars and restaurants (yep, you read that right!) to choose from, you certainly will not be struggling as to where to eat and drink at during your stay. Though for when you venture further out, check out ‘Hungry in Singapore: The Ultimate Dining Guide’ here and ‘Drinking Sky High in Singapore’ here.

During our stay, we tended to eat and drink on the property's rooftop, because, I mean that view! There are three restaurants and bars located atop the property, at the SkyPark, namely CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar, Spago Dining Room by Wolfgang Puck and Lavo Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar.

LAVO ITALIAN RESTAURANT & ROOFTOP BAR

We enjoyed simply an evening drink at Lavo whilst watching the sunset over Singapore and the city lights begin to turn on. The view from the bar is truly spectacular and also offers a great vantage point for watching the incredible nightly light show, Spectra. Notably, if planning on dining at the restaurant make sure you reserve a table prior, as it was completely booked on the night we were there, though this was a Friday.

View Lavo’s brunch & lunch menu and dinner menu.

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

LAVO MULE Belvedere vodka, lime and homemade ginger syrup.

CÉ LA VI RESTAURANT & SKYBAR

CÉ LA VI offers a variety of options for eating or drinking, with a club lounge which overlooks the infinity pool and transforms into a night club later in the evening, a fine-dining restaurant, and a bar. During our stay we shared a selection of dishes at the club lounge before indulging in a premium dessert platter which we received for free because of a book - Hungry in Singapore - I was lucky enough to win which featured a number of incredible deals around Singapore.

View CÉ LA VI’s menu.

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

PAN SEARED SZECHUAN CHILLI CRAB & PRAWN DUMPLINGS served with roasted shallots, peanut oil and sesame.

BALINESE CHICKEN SATAY served with peanut sauce, acar and krupuk.

PREMIUM DESSERT PLATTER

SPAGO DINING ROOM BY WOLFGANG PUCK

The restaurant which occupies the centre of the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is the celebrity chef restaurant, Spago. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to eat here, although did consider the buffet breakfast offered here, though ultimately opted to enjoy breakfast poolside due to time.

View Spago’s breakfast menu and lunch menu.

POOLSIDE DINING

You're bound to spend plenty of time poolside and not going to want to move in a hurry, so the importance of an impressive poolside menu is high. Generally, I was left disappointed by the poolside food offering, as it was fairly limited, I thought for a place like Marina Bay Sands, but who really needs food when the cocktail list is so extensive?!

Though, word of warning, do not be surprised to pay upwards of $25 for a cocktail here - you only live once though, right?!