Checking In: Why You’ll Never Want to Leave Marina Bay Sands

A look inside our stay at Marina Bay Sands, where comfort, hospitality, and world-class dining make you feel right at home.

Let’s get one thing straight: I love travelling, but I’m also a complete homebody. The excitement of exploring somewhere new is usually accompanied by the discomfort of leaving behind the familiar—your routines, your own bed, and the little rituals of home. It’s a contradiction I’ve learned to embrace, though it does make me unusually picky about hotels. No matter how luxurious they are, I rarely spend more time in my room than I have to. Most are simply a place to shower, sleep, and recharge before heading back out. Marina Bay Sands, however, was a rare exception.

Known for its iconic architecture, world-famous infinity pool, and postcard-worthy vistas, Marina Bay Sands hardly needs an introduction. Over the four days and three nights I spent there, I experienced everything I had imagined the resort would offer, yet what stayed with me most was how easily I found myself settling into the space. It didn’t take long for me to slip into a comfortable rhythm—one that made leaving the property feel unnecessary, especially when there was so much to discover within its walls. 

A WARM WELCOME

Given its scale, Marina Bay Sands can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. As soon as I entered the lobby, I was greeted by an expansive space with contemporary interiors that maintained a sense of calm amidst the steady stream of guests coming and going. Among the details that caught my attention were the artworks displayed throughout the lobby, which later revealed a deeper purpose beyond aesthetics, contributing to the resort’s wider sustainability efforts.

Despite its size, the check-in process was seamless, with three dedicated reception areas across its three towers helping guests find their way without the usual fuss of navigating a sprawling property. Staff were also already on hand to assist with my luggage, a small but appreciated gesture that meant I had one less thing to worry about upon arrival.

INSIDE MY COSY SANCTUARY

Opening the doors to the Sands Premier Room was a first impression I wouldn’t soon forget. A decade had passed since I last stayed at Marina Bay Sands, making this return visit an opportunity to see how the rooms had evolved following their refurbishment. As part of the resort’s Sands Collection, the room draws inspiration from the Lion City’s botanical character, pairing natural tones with warm accents to create a space that feels instantly inviting. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows framed sweeping views of Singapore’s skyline, with the Merlion and ArtScience Museum visible in the distance as the automatic curtains glided open. Meanwhile, the plush bed promised three nights of restful slumber, while the smart TV let me stream my own shows just as I would at home. Even the smallest details felt considered, from a stocked pantry and a wireless charger built into the bedside table to spare charging cables tucked neatly into the drawers—an especially pleasant discovery after I realised I’d forgotten to pack my own.

The bathroom was its own sense of retreat. Complete with a spacious rain shower, soaking tub, and double vanity, it became the place where I happily eased into both the start and end of each day. One feature I found myself appreciating more than expected was the built-in speaker, which connected to the TV and let me listen to my favourite podcasts while getting ready each morning. Alongside the generous selection of amenities dotted throughout the bathroom, it was another reminder that the room had been designed with the little comforts in mind.

RESTAURANTS WORTH MAKING A RESERVATION FOR

A visit to Marina Bay Sands isn’t complete without eating your way through its impressive dining spots, and safe to say, I was very well fed throughout my stay. With cuisines spanning everything from local favourites to international fare, there was never a shortage of options.

STARTING THE DAY RIGHT

My mornings usually began at RISE, where the bountiful breakfast buffet made it all too easy to go back for seconds, with made-to-order curry laksa and kaya toast quickly becoming my go-tos. I also managed to pop by Spago on Level 57 for its signature kaya French toast, where a leisurely first meal came with views overlooking the infinity pool.

SOME MIDDAY NOURISHMENT

Lunches became my excuse to venture beyond the familiar, with each stop offering something I hadn’t tried before. At estiatorio Milos, Greek and Mediterranean flavours took centre stage, with the Milos Special (deep-fried eggplant and zucchini with tzatziki) proving an unexpectedly moreish pick.

Maison Boulud celebrated the flavours of France, while Yardbird Southern Table and Bar leaned into Southern American comfort food such as its crowd favourite Chicken ’N’ Watermelon ’N’ Waffles.

My favourite, however, was Jin Ting Wan, which recently earned its first MICHELIN Star for its refined take on Cantonese cuisine. The Pipa Duck was the dish that sealed the deal: a 90-day-old Irish duck, fully deboned and seasoned with 15-year-aged tangerine peel and water chestnut, before being roasted to crisp perfection. It was easily one of the meals I found myself thinking about long after lunch was over.

DINNERS THAT TRULY IMPRESSED

By evening, I was ready to lean into something a little more indulgent. Mott 32 brought a modern spin to Chinese cuisine, beginning with a pre-dinner stop at the bar for light bites and cocktails. Standouts included the apple wood smoked pluma Iberico pork, Japanese pumpkin with salty egg, and Wild Strawberry Fizz. Dinner then brought out the “Signature Mott 32 Cut”, a Peking duck roasted over apple wood after being aged for 42 days, with its crisp skin and tender meat making it a fitting centrepiece to the meal.

Meanwhile, CUT by Wolfgang Puck delivered the steakhouse experience I had been looking forward to after hearing high praise for it. The filet mignon with Béarnaise sauce was the highlight, with the tender meat and velvety sauce coming together beautifully. The Maryland blue crab cake was another favourite, generously packed with sweet crab meat, while the USDA Prime Porterhouse makes for a generous option to share.

For my final dinner, WAKUDA offered a fitting end to the stay with its contemporary take on Japanese cuisine. From the food to the setting, it made for a memorable last meal, though I found myself lingering a little longer over its cocktails after dinner. Among the creative pours was one reminiscent of an orange creamsicle, with its sweet, citrusy profile making it an easy favourite. It was a fitting place to wind down and raise a glass to the final night.

HIGH ABOVE THE CLOUDS

One of the biggest draws of staying at Marina Bay Sands is having Singapore quite literally at your feet. High above the city, the SkyPark Observation Deck offered one of the best vantage points to take in the skyline, stretching from the city’s landmarks to the waters beyond. It was the kind of place where I could easily lose track of time, moving from one viewpoint to another and taking in the scale of Singapore from above.

Then there was the Infinity Pool, arguably the resort’s most recognisable feature and one I was particularly excited to experience again. Perched 57 storeys above the ground, it offered a different way to appreciate the cityscape—less about sightseeing and more about slowing down and taking it all in from the water. Even with the pool being one of the resort’s busiest attractions, there were moments when the view made everything around me fade into the background.

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Ultimately, it was the people behind the experience that made my stay memorable. In a resort that welcomes guests from around the world, it would have been easy for the service to feel impersonal. Instead, it was the smallest gestures that revealed just how attentive the team was, often noticing things before I even had to ask.

One evening, I returned to my room to find a microfibre cloth thoughtfully placed beside my glasses, which I had left on the bedside table. On another night, my bed had already been prepared for sleep, complete with a glass of water waiting beside it, while my hair straightener cable had been neatly secured with a cable tie. These may seem like passing details, but they were the moments that made me feel seen as a guest, rather than simply looked after as one of many.

All in all, four days and three nights at Marina Bay Sands left me with more than a few reasons to return. There was a certain ease to the stay that made the days go by almost too quickly, and by the time I was packing my bags, leaving felt a little premature. Perhaps that is the mark of a good getaway: when you’re already wondering when you can come back.

MARINA BAY SANDS

Address:10 Bayfront Avenue, 018956 Singapore

Contact: +65 6688 8868

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