Anyone familiar with Singapore’s skyline would recognize its architectural icon – the Marina Bay Sands. Towering above the waterfront, the landmark hotel’s 55-floors of luxurious rooms are among the most coveted accommodations in the world.

So, what’s it like to stay at the Marina Bay Sands? Here’s what I experienced during my visit to this glamorous 5-star establishment.

The History

Opening in 2010, the Marina Bay Sands has graced almost every photo op and postcard of Singapore since. Designed by Israel-born architect Moshe Safdie, the hotel’s three towers are connected by a vast boat-shaped rooftop SkyPark. And, the crown jewel of this towering vista is its impressive, record-breaking infinity pool. But, more on that in a minute.

The hotel’s appeal was immediate. During its first year, the draw of people wanting to stay at the Marina Bay Sands resulted in 19.6 million visitors and nearly 2,000 meetings, conventions, and exhibitions. And, its popularity has only grown since then.

The Hotel

A stay at the Marina Bay Sands is everything you’d expect from one of the best hotels in the world. The lobby is airy and grand, the rooms are spacious and well-appointed, and the sprawling grounds are a stone’s throw away from some of the best attractions in the city. But, with so much to do on-site, there’s little need to leave. In addition to one of the most impressive rooftop terraces in the world, the Marina Bay Sands also boasts a casino, a shopping complex with a Venetian-style canal, and the ArtScience Museum.

Plus, the Marina Bay Sands hosts a culinary collection the likes of which you’ve never seen. There are 9 restaurants in the towers, 28 in The Shoppes, 3 on the casino floor, and 1 in the ArtScience Museum. So, you’re sure to find something to tickle your tastebuds.

And then, there’s the pool…

The Pool

The pool at the Marina Bay Sands is the tallest and largest in the world. So, it’s no wonder why a swim in these sky-high waters is on many travelers’ bucket lists. At 57-stories up and 479-feet long (3x the length of an Olympic sized swimming pool) it offers expansive views of the Singapore skyline and bay below. And, with a convenient rooftop bar, you can enjoy the scenery with a tropical drink in hand.

After an invigorating dip, grab a poolside snack from a lounge chair underneath the terrace’s many palm trees. But, make sure you bring your room key! Because swimming in this world-famous wonder is restricted to hotel guests only.

But, don’t worry! If you just want to take in the view you can purchase a ticket to the SkyPark. And believe me, seeing the sunset from its vantage point is well worth the money!

Nearby Activities

If you can tear yourself away from the hotel grounds, there’s plenty to see just around the corner! Singapore’s streets are filled with world-renown street fare, impressive architecture, and stunning artwork. And, a few other notable attractions that are well worth a visit.

Cloud Forest and Flower Dome

Blending structural design with natural beauty, the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are a must-see. Home to the second tallest indoor waterfall in the world (which cascades 115-feet to the floor), the Cloud Forest is my personal favorite. Visitors can walk the winding path as it snakes its way through misty vegetation to the dome’s peak. Then, the experience concludes with a cave full of crystals and a room that educates guests on climate change and ways to make a difference.

Contrasting the Cloud Forest’s 80-90% humidity, the more arid Flower Dome is home to millions of blooms from five different continents. It includes Mediterranean floral displays that change throughout the seasons. So, there’s always something new to explore in this prismatic paradise.

Purchase tickets for the gardens here!

Supertree Grove

Remember the movie Avatar? Well, a walk through the Supertree Grove will leave you feeling as if you’ve just stepped onto one of James Cameron’s otherworldly blockbuster sets.

Towering as high as 164-feet, the grove’s large canopies offer shade to visitors in the daytime. Then at night, they come alive with an astounding display of color and sound. It’s truly an awe-inspiring sight to behold!

And, if you’re not afraid of heights, you can stroll through the treetops on the OCBC Skyway. Connecting two of the supertrees, it’s the perfect opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the gardens below. Or, check out the Supertree Observatory for an even better vantage point! Located at the top of the tallest supertree, this open-air rooftop deck offers 360-degree, unobstructed views of the cityscape.

But, the impressive canopies aren’t the only jaw-dropping aspect of these towering trees. Each trunk is planted with a vertical garden made up of more than 158,000 plants from 700 different species!

Purchase an evening photography tour of the grove here!

ArtScience Museum

If you love education with a side of enchantment, then you’ll love the ArtScience Museum! Open since 2011, the lotus flower-like structure has housed some of history’s most famous artistic works including pieces by Van Gogh, Dalí, da Vinci, Escher, and Warhol. In addition, the museum has also featured numerous exhibitions focused on physics, marine biology, cosmology, space exploration, and everything in between.

But, what makes the ArtScience Museum truly unique is the way visitors can interact with its exhibits. My absolute favorite was Future World: Where Art Meets Science. In it, images of waterfalls and streams weave their way around where you stand, children play with giant luminescent balls that change colors and sounds when touched, and you can stroll through a room of cascading LED lights (perfect for a photo op!)

Purchase admission tickets for the ArtScience Museum here!

With so much to offer, it’s no wonder why travelers from all over the globe want to stay at the Marina Bay Sands. This architectural icon has set the bar when it comes to luxurious accommodations and world-class amenities. And, while rooms may not be cheap I found them to be well worth the cost.

Have you stayed at the Marina Bay Sands before? Comment below, I’d love to hear what you thought of your visit!