Marina Bay Sands: Singapore’s Icon of Luxury Reimagined

When Marina Bay Sands opened in 2010, it instantly became one of Singapore’s defining landmarks. With its three gleaming towers and rooftop SkyPark, it quickly cemented itself as both an architectural marvel and a magnet for travelers. Fifteen years on, the property has just unveiled the results of a multi-year, £1.3 billion refurbishment—plus the beginnings of a bold expansion that includes a fourth, all-suites tower, a 15,000-seat arena, and additional MICE space.

The scale is staggering. Each day, crowds pour into the soaring lobby, The Shoppes mall, and more than 80 restaurants and bars spread across the resort. Families, couples, business travelers, and sightseers alike seem drawn by the same question: what makes Marina Bay Sands so irresistible?

I checked in for the first time to find out. The result? Equal parts shock and thrill at the sheer size, ambition, and energy of the place.

The Hotel

The showstopper is, of course, the SkyPark Infinity Pool. Perched on the 57th floor, its 150-metre span makes it the world’s longest pool at this height. Even after countless Instagram shots, nothing quite prepares you for floating above Singapore’s skyline with the city glittering below.

The renovation, completed in May 2025, has transformed the guest experience. The room count has been reduced from 2,500 to 1,850, but with more space, more suites (jumping from 180 to 775), and a sharpened focus on families. Designer Moshe Safdie’s iconic sloping towers remain intact—the steepest at 26 degrees—but interiors now mix quiet luxury with clever practicality.

Family suites, spanning 75–145 square metres, come with children’s rooms and family-friendly perks: nappies, bottle sterilizers, washing machines, and play spaces. At the infinity pool, kids get their own splash pool, life vests in all sizes, and lifeguards at the ready. The message is clear: luxury here doesn’t exclude families—it embraces them.

 

The Room

I stayed in a Premier Room on the 24th floor of Tower One. At 45 square metres, it felt like a personal sanctuary, opening onto a balcony with hypnotic views of the South China Sea and its endless flotilla of cargo ships.

Design leans understated yet indulgent: neutral tones, marble, polished metals, and, intriguingly, calf leather details everywhere—even the tissue box cover and TV remote case. Bathrooms are spa-like with a deep soaking tub, rainfall shower, dual vanities, and a high-tech Japanese-style toilet with heated seat, auto flush, and more buttons than a cockpit.

Technology is equally lavish: a 75-inch smart TV with ambient soundscapes, Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speaker, wireless charging mats, and curtains that glide open automatically when you enter the room.

Dining

With around 80 dining options, you could eat here for months without repetition. I sampled two standouts:

• RISE Restaurant (Tower One lobby) – A light-filled atrium space offering an impressive international buffet. Western classics sit alongside freshly prepared Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Japanese dishes, with chefs cooking on demand.
• Spago by Wolfgang Puck – Split into the Dining Room and the more relaxed Bar & Lounge, Spago sits beside the infinity pool on the 57th floor. Open on both sides, it channels breezy resort vibes with spectacular skyline views. I tried it twice and could have happily gone back again.

To Do

Marina Bay Sands is practically its own city. Without stepping outside, you can move between The Shoppes, the Fitness Centre, the ArtScience Museum, and Gardens by the Bay. The MRT is also connected directly beneath the complex.

The infinity pool remains the crown jewel. With palm-lined terraces, complimentary towels, drinks, sunscreen, and near-perfect water temperature, it’s a place to linger for hours. Shade is scarce, but the views make up for it a hundred times over.

The Verdict

Marina Bay Sands is not intimate. It’s not boutique. It is big, bold, and unapologetically grand. For travelers seeking cutting-edge design, countless dining choices, and one of the world’s most famous pools, it delivers in spades. Families will feel just as welcome as honeymooners or business guests—a rarity in the world of ultra-luxury hotels.

Their tagline, “Above Beyond,” feels less like marketing spin and more like a promise.

Fact Box

 

• Rates: from £410* per room per night
• Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore, 018956
• Phone: +65 6688 8888
• Email: room.reservation@marinabaysands.com
• Website: marinabaysands.com