Magical Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

By Lydia C. Lee

We stayed at this wonderful hotel for one night, as our travel agent had made a mistake on our booking for the week and left one night off the itinerary. We chose the MBS because we thought the kids would have fun at the pool, and only guests of the hotel can swim in the spectacular infinity pool on the 57th floor, overlooking the Merlion and Opera House.  We booked over the net at sale rates and were told we may not be able to get adjoining rooms, at that rate. As we were leaving at 7 in the morning, I was prepared to risk not sleeping with my husband for one night, as the kids aren’t old enough to be by themselves.  When we checked in, they upgraded us to the most magnificent suite so we could be in the same 'room' with the kids. I have never stayed in such a huge hotel suite - it is bigger than our house (seriously!). The hotel refers to it a 2 bedroom suite. As a non hospitality layperson, I would say it had 18 rooms, including a karaoke room, massage and hair salon room, six bathrooms, grand piano, taking up half of the floor space of the hotel tower.  The views were spectacular - and I loved the bath with the glass wall/window looking up at the Skypark or out to the harbour, over the Gardens on the Bay. I was so stunned by this generosity, I went back down to reception to confirm there hadn’t been some type of mistake! I was told ‘You are just really, really lucky.” So I went back up to shut doors and tell the kids they couldn’t break ANYTHING!

Reluctant to leave the room, we ventured up to the amazing pool.  It’s such a fantastic pool area, we were determined to swim, even though the weather wasn’t on our side. Not just a sensational pool and view, but the deck chair area is really inviting.

*This image was kindly given to me by Marina Bay Sands, as ours were overcast, due to rain, and I didn't think they showed how beautiful the pool and view really is.


The shopping mall is beautiful, and the displays and restaurants there are really above what you find in most shopping malls (even in other Casinos around the world). The standard of the food in the food court was exceptional (and the duck we had there was better than the duck we had at an upmarket restaurant in town, and a quarter of the price!!).
Our children were taken with the ice rink in the middle of the shopping centre, and I made sure they didn’t notice the indoor play centre – though they noticed every ice cream parlour and sweet shop with much delight. There are also Sampan rides on the canal down the middle of the shopping strip, which they children found hysterical.

*This image is also kindly given to me by Marina Bay Sands.

We visited the ArtScience Museum, which had a fantastic Andy Warhol exhibition and the Titanic exhibition at the time. The building, inspired by the lotus flower, is architecturally interesting and a really lovely space – worth a visit whatever is currently on show there. You also get discounts on food and shopping with your ArtScience Museum tickets, so keep an eye out for that. It was raining when we left the museum and they gave us an umbrella to cross the forecourt to the hotel, with a person stationed at the entry to the mall to collect the umbrella. Little touches like that seem to be the signature of this hotel.

Twice a night, they have a spectacular light and sound show. Not just colours and water spray but images projected onto the water like a film. It’s the most impressive I’ve seen, anywhere in the world. The kids loved it, and it doesn’t cost a cent!

For practicalities, there is a train station underneath, as well as plenty of taxis at the door. An easy walk to the Opera House and Singapore Flyer, via the Helix Bridge.

Our 24 hours at this hotel were the highlight of our time in Singapore. They have so much on offer to suit all tastes and interests. The staff are so friendly and helpful and I really can't fault the hotel at all. I have stayed in other Sands hotels and it outshines them by a long shot, even without the suite.

On our return, I wrote them a letter to thank them for the amazing upgrade, and they replied “At Marina Bay Sands, it is our goal to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences everyday for our guests by setting standards of service excellence that are unparalleled in Singapore.” For us, it truly was a magical 24 hours. We did a lot of kid focus activities in Singapore, but all three kids rated Marina Bay Sands as the highlight of the holiday. I am keen to return, and while I know we’ll never see that suite again, I do know that even in a normal room, I’ll still have a sensational, luxurious stay! As much as Singapore has to offer, Marina Bay Sands is a destination in itself.

*Please note, Marina Bay Sands kindly sent me the photos when I realised my own weren't good enough. This is not a sponsored post, nor was the upgrade anything more than extremely good luck.

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