When most people picture Singapore, they usually think of the iconic Marina Bay Sands (myself included). I always knew that whenever we finally made it to Singapore, we needed to visit the famous infinity pool at the very top of the hotel. However, is a stay at Marina Bay Sands worth it? We weren’t so sure. If you’re wondering what it’s like staying at Marina Bay Sands, here’s everything you need to know! 
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Marina Bay Sands Hotel Overview
The S$5.7 billion Marina Bay Sands, or MBS as the locals refer to it, opened in April 2010. It has since become one of the most Instagrammed hotels in the world and can be seen in many TV shows and movies (ahem, Crazy Rich Asians).
With its three 55-storey hotel towers capped by the largest rooftop infinity pool in the world, a lotus-shaped museum, 800,000 square feet of retail and dining space, a convention centre, casino, a free light and water show, the largest nightclub in Singapore, and more, MBS is not just a hotel – it’s a destination in itself.
First off, let’s go over the basics of Marina Bay Sands, then a detailed review of our stay and the pool, and finally come to our verdict. Or you can just skip right to the end to find out if we thought Marina Bay Sands is really worth it!
Marina Bay Sands Location
MBS is conveniently located in the Central Business District just a 20-minute drive from Changi International Airport. For first-time visitors to Singapore, it’s a great location for exploring many of Singapore’s other main attractions. You can easily walk over to Gardens by the Bay, the Quays, museums, or quickly take public transit to Chinatown or Little India.
Marina Bay Sands Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
How to get to Marina Bay Sands
By MRT
Marina Bay Sands is located at Bayfront MRT station. Taking the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train system from the airport is the cheapest way to get to MBS, but not the quickest.
From the airport, you will first need to take the East West Line to Expo Station (8 minutes, non-stop), then transfer to the Downtown Line to Bayfront Station (38 minutes, 19 stops). Plan your journey here.
The trip will only set you back S$1.93! Extremely affordable if you don’t mind the longer journey. Payment can be easily made by just tapping your credit card at the entry/exit gates so you don’t have to worry about taking out local cash nor buying a ticket.
By Taxi/Rideshare
For a more direct, albeit slightly more expensive option, book a taxi or rideshare. Our preferred option was using the Grab app, which is just like Uber.
Inside Changi Airport, there are clear signs indicating where to go for ride pick-up. Each door is numbered so just indicate the door number as your pick-up location and you and your driver will find each other very easily! It is extremely orderly – I wish all airports were like this.
Depending on time of day and traffic, the ride will take you about 15-20 minutes and cost about $20.
Self-drive
If you’ve decided to rent a car and drive yourself, it’s a pretty straight shot down the East Coast Parkway Expressway to Sheares Avenue. The drive will take about 20 minutes.
Marina Bay Sands Parking
There are three car park entrances at the hotel:
- Bayfront Avenue, near ArtScience Museum (North Entrance)
- Bayfront Avenue, outside Tower 3 (North Entrance)
- Bayfront Link, next to Sands Expo & Convention Centre (South Entrance)
Parking Fees for Hotel Guests:
- $8.56 self-parking (obtain parking ticket at front desk)
- $35 per day for valet (multiple entries allowed)
By hotel airport transfer
MBS does offer direct airport transfer services by Mercedes limousine or coach, but the prices are sky high (in the $100s). However, if you do want to be picked up by someone waiting for you at arrivals with your name on a signboard, you can book this service directly with MBS by calling +65 6688 8868 or e-mailing Room.Reservations@MarinaBaySands.com .
Staying at Marina Bay Sands
We booked ourselves into the 5-star Marina Bay Sands Hotel for our very first night in Singapore. This was the start of our anniversary trip, so why not start it with a bang?!
We’ve been fortunate to stay at many luxury hotels around the world and were looking forward to seeing if the Marina Bay Sands hotel lived up to its hype. Would it stack up to other luxury properties we’ve stayed at in Asia and the Middle East? Or would we be disappointed in the hotel itself, finding it only worth it for the infinity pool? We were worried it would be the latter.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel Rooms
MBS is a massive hotel with a staggering 2561 rooms and suites spread out across its three towers. Guests can choose between three collections of rooms:
- The Original Collection
- The Sands Collection
- The Paiza Collection
The Original Collection
These are considered the classic, aka most basic and affordable, rooms and suites at MBS.
Room Types:
- Deluxe Room (Garden or City View)
- 35 sqm, 1 king or 2 twins, up to 3 guests
- Premier Room (Garden or City View)
- 40 sqm, 1 king or 2 twins, deep soaker bathtub, up to 3 guests
- Orchid Suite (Garden or City View)
- 70 sqm, living room and bedroom, up to 3 guests, includes breakfast, afternoon tea, evening drinks and canapes, and laundry
The Sands Collection
These rooms and suites have been recently restored and updated with stylish furnishings.
Room Types:
- Sands Premier Room (Garden or City View)
- 45 sqm, 1 king or 2 queens, up to 3 guests
- Sands Premier Studio (Garden or City View)
- 70 sqm, 1 king, up to 3 guests
- Sands Premier Suite (Garden or City View)
- 95 sqm, 1 king or 2 queens, up to 3 guests
- Sands Family Suite (Garden View)
- 75-95 sqm, 2 bedrooms, kitchenette, up to 4 guests
- Sands Signature Suite (Garden View)
- 140 sqm, living room and bedroom, recreation room, up to 3 guests
The Paiza Collection
These are the most luxurious rooms and suites available at MBS and can be found on the highest floors. Stays here include limousine airport transfer, private lifts, exclusive access to Paiza Sky Club, breakfast, and 24-hour personalized butler service.
Room Types:
- Paiza Club Room (Sea or City View)
- 55 sqm, 1 king, up to 3 guests
- Paiza Premier Suite (Sea or City View)
- 100 sqm, living room, 1 or 2 bedrooms, up to 6 guests
- Paiza Signature Suite (Sea or City View)
- 140 sqm, living room, 1 or 2 bedrooms, social bar or entertainment den, up to 6 guests
- The Marina (Sea view)
- 160 sqm, living room, 1 bedroom, up to 3 guests
- The Horizon (Sea and city view)
- 330 sqm, living room, 1 bedroom, up to 3 guests
- The Presidential (Sea or city view)
- 330 sqm, living room, 2 bedrooms, choice of golf simulator, pool table, media room or show kitchen, up to 6 guests
- The Chairman (Sea and city view)
- 600 sqm, 2 living rooms, 3 or 4 bedrooms, private gym, spa, grand piano, up to 12 guests
How much does it cost to stay at Marina Bay Sands?
As you can see, there is a wide range of room and suite types available, taking you from expensive to for-millionaires-only.
The cheapest room available at Marina Bay Sands is the Deluxe Room from The Original Collection. These are the smallest and lowest rooms, and thus come with little to no view. However, if you only want to stay at the Marina Bay Sands for the pool, then these are your best bet.
During low season, the lowest price I could find for these rooms was S$579. For a nicer room with a view, you’re looking at around S$700-1000. If you prefer a suite, budget for over S$1000.
We booked a Deluxe King Room with Gardens by the Bay View for a total of US$773.
Booking Marina Bay Sands
You can search dates and room types for Marina Bay Sands here on Booking.com. What we like about Booking.com is that they don’t require prepayment and you can cancel for free up to two days before your stay!
Marina Bay Sands Arrival
We arrived via Grab taxi at the Tower 1 entrance. While there are check-in desks at Tower 3 as well, the Tower 1 check-in area is much larger and quicker.
Upon exiting our taxi, we were immediately greeted by very friendly doormen who grabbed our luggage out of the trunk and offered to store it for us while we checked in. They gave us luggage tags and instructed us to give it to the front desk so they could arrange to have them delivered to our room when ready.
We entered into the Tower 1 lobby and were instantly struck by the grandeur of the whole place – the super high ceilings and gorgeous aesthetics.
Marina Bay Sands Early Check-In
Upon approaching the check-in desks, we were kindly informed that check-in was not until 3pm, but that we could proceed with pre-arrival check-in. We had arrived on an early morning flight so it was only 8am and the lines were empty.
We continued to the front desk and were asked for our passports and a credit card for the $200 security deposit. The front desk agent was very kind and asked what brought us to Singapore. We informed her that it was our anniversary, and she graciously upgraded our room to a higher floor with a nicer view.
After completing the pre-arrival paperwork, she took down our phone number and email and let us know they would contact us as soon as our room was ready. To our delight, she let us know that we were welcome to use the pool in the meantime and gave us two temporary key cards. This allowed us to take the lift up to the 57th floor to the famous infinity pool!
We enjoyed a lovely visit to the pool and then headed to Chinatown to grab some lunch. To our surprise, we received a phone call that our room was already ready for us!
Marina Bay Sands Check-In
We returned to Marina Bay Sands after lunch and picked up our keys at the Tower 3 lobby instead as this is the tower where we were told our room would be. Since we had already completed the pre-arrival check-in, the process was quick and easy. We were given two key cards, plus some bottled water (a nice touch!) and were told our luggage would be delivered to our room.
I inquired about a possible late checkout and we were granted a late checkout of 11:30am (instead of 11am). Our 12pm request was denied.
- Check-in time: 3:00pm
- Check-out time: 11:00am
Room Review: Deluxe King Room with Gardens by the Bay View
We had booked a Deluxe King Room with a Gardens by the Bay view. This was a $50 upgrade over the most basic room due to the view, and it also comes with a walkout balcony. As mentioned above, we received a further upgrade to a higher room on the 39th floor.
Note: There are different sets of elevators depending on what floor you need to go to. In Tower 3, there were elevators for lower floors 1-34, and elevators for the higher floors 34-57. If you take the wrong one, you can switch at level 34.
Entry
The room opens up to a hallway with the bathroom on the left and a row of built-in cabinet closets on the right.
On the wall, you will find housekeeping buttons in case you want to set the Do Not Disturb light or request to have the room made up. Next to it, you will find the lighting controls for the bathroom and hallway.
Bathroom
The bathroom has a large sliding door which we never ended up even closing. Inside is fairly spacious and minimalistic.
There is a single sink with a vanity mirror on the left and some complimentary amenities on the right. There were the usual dental kits, comb, shaving kit, shower cap, nail file, and cotton swabs and pads.
We were impressed that the complimentary toiletries provided were made by Roberto Cavalli.
Bathrobes were provided (one hanging in the bathroom, the other in the closet) but they were not the most plush.
The walk-in shower was spacious but there was no rainfall showerhead. There’s also no bathtub in case that’s a deal-breaker for you.
If you’re looking for the hair dryer, you’ll find it in the closet across from the bathroom.
Bed
The king size bed was as comfy as expected with four large fluffy pillows.
Next to the bed were two nightstands with light and curtain controls, a phone, complimentary water, and, most importantly, ample charging ports!
We greatly appreciated the universal outlets as well as the multiple USB ports.
In front of the bed was a large 6-drawer dresser. On top of it sat the biggest TV we’ve ever seen in a hotel room!! It was at least 65″. For a standard hotel room size, this is absolutely huge, and a luxury to have.
Closet
Opening up the first closet door, you will find the safe, hair dryer, and laundry bags.
The following double-doors open up to ample hanging space with wooden and satin hangers for your clothes, along with an additional bathrobe. Up top, you’ll find some extra bedding, and down below, some slippers. There’s also an iron and ironing board, as well as an emergency flashlight.
Minibar
Attached to the closets is the minibar.
On the counter, you have a nice Nespresso machine with four pods provided and some CoffeeMate powdered creamer. There’s also a kettle should you want to make some tea.
In the drawer below, you’ll find both white and brown sugar, more CoffeeMate creamer, and a selection of five teas to choose from.
There’s also two packs of snacks which are surprisingly complimentary! It’s a rare occurence these days to find a totally complimentary minibar.
Below, there is a mini fridge containing complimentary drinks! Nothing fancy, but it was nice to have some cold Coke, Sprite, juices and water.
Desk
There’s a decent-sized work desk with leather swivel chair.
On top of the desk are two universal outlets and four USB.
A Marina Bay Sands notepad and pen are also provided, along with an interesting hard cover book all about Marina Bay Sands for you to peruse.
Sitting Area
Next to the window, there is a nice little chaise lounge chair with small table.
Balcony
An advantage to the rooms with views of Gardens by the Bay is that they have walk-out balconys. The balcony is small with nowhere to sit, but it does allow you an unobstructed view of the nightly light shows!
We enjoyed catching the show from up above on our balcony and then again down below in Gardens by the Bay.
During the day, you have lovely views over Gardens by the Bay and the sea.
Marina Bay Sands Pool
The Marina Bay Sands infinity pool is no doubt the highlight of a stay here and the biggest draw of the hotel. With its stunning vantage point, perched 200 metres high on the 57th floor, spanning across all three towers, this massive pool truly makes your jaw drop. It is the largest elevated infinity pool at 151 metres long, holding an astonishing 1.4 million litres of water and big enough to fit three football fields!!
How to access the Marina Bay Sands pool
If a swim in the Marina Bay Sands pool is on your bucketlist, you’re unfortunately going to have to shell out the cash for at least a one night stay at the hotel. Access to the Marina Bay Sands pool is exclusively granted to hotel guests only and is strictly controlled.
There is no way to purchase a day pass or pay for access to the pool. I guess it can be seen as a way to control overcrowding, or a way for the hotel to make money and ensure it’s always booked to capacity. Build the world’s most Instagrammable pool to get on everyone’s bucketlist and force them to book a room in order to access it. Genius, right?
Each registered hotel guest is given a key card which provides access to the pool. You’ll need to scan your key card to take the elevator to the 57th floor, where staff will greet you at the gated pool deck. They will request to see your key card before letting you through.
Note: Marina Bay Sands warns that trespassers will be handed over to authorities. So while it may be tempting to try to sneak in, don’t.
Marina Bay Sands Pool Cost
There is no cost to access the Marina Bay Sands pool. If you’re a hotel guest, you can enjoy it as much as you want for free!
If you strictly want to use the pool and don’t even care about staying at the hotel, well then I guess the cost is at least $579, which is the cheapest nightly rate I saw.
Best time to use the pool
Considering how famous the Marina Bay Sands pool is, it can definitely become overcrowded with people trying to get their best selfies. It’s best to consider check-in and check-out times when planning the best time to visit the pool.
We found the best time to use the pool was early in the morning or early afternoon. Weekdays are also less busy in general than weekends. Avoid evenings around sunset if you want to avoid crowds.
At 8:30am on a Friday morning, the pool was not crowded for us at all. There were also lots of lounge chairs available.
We also went right at 6am when the pool opened on Saturday morning, and we were the only ones in the pool for the first 10 minutes. Two other parties arrived but for the most part, the pool was empty from 6-7am. This was a great opportunity to take sunrise photos without anyone around!
After 7am, the pool did fill up a bit more with guests trying to get in one last swim before checkout.
If you are staying more than one night, or if you complete pre-arrival check in like we did, then you can use the pool after most guests checkout at 11am. This sweet spot between 11am-3pm is a great opportunity to enjoy the pool without too many people.
Marina Bay Sands Jacuzzi
It seems most people stick to the pool, but if you want to check out the jacuzzis, they are there as well! You will find them on the opposite side of the pool, facing Gardens by the Bay.
Marina Bay Sands Pool FAQ
What are the Marina Bay Sands pool hours?
The pool opens at 6am and closes at 12am. We appreciated that the Marina Bay Sands pool was open much longer hours than other hotels we’ve been to!
Is the Marina Bay Sands pool kid-friendly?
Yes! There is no age limit for the pool and there is a dedicated children’s pool, as well as a family-friendly section.
Life jackets in multiple sizes are also available, if needed.
How deep is the Marina Bay Sands pool?
The pool is at least 4 feet deep, but the children’s pool is only 1.6 feet deep.
Are there showers by the pool?
Yes, there are outdoor showers by the pool as well as shower rooms located within the bathrooms.
If you arrive early prior to check-in, like we did, you can use the poolside bathrooms to get dressed.
There is also complimentary sunscreen available by the pool towels. We were given two towels each.
Is there food at the pool?
Yes, poolside dining is available from 8am-10pm!
We found the prices to be similar to other comparable hotels – pricy, but not painfully so. Below are the menus from October 2023 when we stayed, to give you an idea of prices.
Is the Marina Bay Sands pool worth it?
Yes! I’ve heard others complain that the pool was too crowded and they couldn’t even enjoy swimming. However, when we went during less busy times, the pool did not feel crowded at all and we had tons of space to move around and take photos without anyone in the background. It IS possible to get that perfect photo for the ‘gram 😉
We loved that there were tons of lounge chairs available, unlike at other hotels where it’s often hard to find a seat. It was so nice to lay out and soak up the Singapore sun while taking in the awe-inspiring views. The palm trees overhead are a nice touch as well. (How did they get these trees up here, by the way?)
Marina Bay Sands Restaurants
Between the lobby and The Shoppes, there is a huge array of restaurants to choose from. Considering the absolutely delicious hawker stalls available in Singapore, we ended up not even eating at the hotel once. But from what we saw, there are some amazing options.
We were mostly attracted to the rooftop dining options and recommend these most for the view. Actually, we attempted to dine at Ce La Vi but it was unfortunately closed due to off-and-on rain. If you want an epic view, I’d say Ce La Vi is the best choice.
Rooftop restaurant options:
Lobby restaurant options:
- Origin + Bloom
- Renku Bar & Lounge
- Rise Restaurant (buffet options)
- Wakuda Restaurant & Bar
- Blossom Restaurant
For a complete list of Marina Bay Sands restaurants, including the ones in The Shoppes, check their website.
Or if you prefer food delivery apps, you can do that, too! The hotel has a designated drop off/pick-up spot for food delivery down at the valet desk.
Marina Bay Sands Facilities
Marina Bay Sands Spa
The Banyan Tree Spa is located on the 55th floor of Marina Bay Sands Tower 1. A wide range of massages and beauty treatments are offered.
If you feel like being pampered, and have some extra cash, check out the website for a list of all treatments offered along with their prices.
Marina Bay Sands Gym
The fitness centre is open 24 hours and is located within the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, on Level 3. You’ll find all your usual gym staples – treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, and a wide range of free weights.
Marina Bay Sands Club Lounge
If you are a club or suite guest, you have access to the Club Lounge. Here you’ll enjoy complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening canapes.
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck
Up on the 56th floor is the SkyPark Observation Deck with spectacular views over Singapore. Entry is free for hotel guests, but otherwise costs $32/adult or $28/senior/child/student.
Access is via Tower 3 by the driveway. Timeslots must be booked in advance if visiting after 5pm. Ticket purchases and timeslot bookings can be made online.
Hours:
- 11am-9pm daily
Marina Bay Sands Nearby Attractions
There are tons of nearby attractions within walking distance that you can explore while staying at Marina Bay Sands.
Spectra
This free light and water show occurs nightly right below the hotel. It lasts 15 minutes and begins at 8pm and 9pm, and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Gardens by the Bay
The famous 250 acre Gardens by the Bay is also just a short stroll away and can be accessed directly from the hotel.
At night, catch the amazing Garden Rhapsody light and sound show at 7:45pm and 8:45pm. It’s free!
ArtScience Museum
Located steps away from The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum is another must-visit attraction! We loved the interactive art installations.
Sampan Rides
Float down the canals of The Shoppes in a lovely Sampan boat. Rides cost $15/person and run daily from 11am-9pm. Tickets can be booked online.
The Shoppes
Shop to your heart’s content at the huge shopping mall adjacent to the hotel. You’ll find all your usual designer shops, an impressive collection of high-end kids’ stores, and a large food court.
Marquee Nightclub
Marina Bay Sands is home to Singapore’s largest nightclub, Marquee. If you’re in the mood to party hard, I’d say there’s no better place to do it!
The club is mind-blowing, complete with a ferris wheel and three-storey spiral slide. Yes, you read that right! A ferris wheel inside a club.
Hours: Fridays, Saturdays and eve of public holidays 10pm-5:30am (last order)
Tickets: https://marquee.bigtix.io/
Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Room Tour
Verdict: Is Marina Bay Sands worth it?
Yes! Before our stay, I honestly questioned whether it was worth spending that much money to stay at a massive, crowded hotel. I was expecting something along the lines of Las Vegas resorts – big, impersonal and probably starting to show its age.
But I was pleasantly surprised. Enough so that I would even stay here again! Service was much friendlier than I expected considering the tremendous amount of guests that come through the doors every day.
Our room was much nicer than I was expecting, especially since it was one of the most basic rooms. It was more luxurious than I thought it would be, with higher end toiletries and even a complimentary minibar!
Lastly, the pool. Staying for the pool is definitely worth it. There are not many pools in the world as epic as this. Despite its popularity, it never felt too crowded. Bucketlist, check!
Tips for staying at Marina Bay Sands
Whew, good job if you made it through this massive post! To recap, here are our top tips for staying at Marina Bay Sands.
- Arrive early! This is the best tip we can give you to maximize your experience! Get in that precious pool time before even checking into your room.
- Let the hotel know if you’re celebrating a special occasion. We received an upgrade and some treats delivered to our room.
- Make a reservation for Ce La Vi. We wanted to enjoy some sunset drinks but didn’t know we had to make a reservation ahead of time. Entry is free for hotel guests – no need to make the minimum spend.
- Watch the evening light show from your balcony!
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