September 20, 2024
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Hotel Reviews
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I arrived at Marina Bay Sands with expectations set sky-high. Having visited The Royal Atlantis in Dubai and other five-star icons of that calibre, I wanted to see if Singapore’s most famous landmark could measure up. MBS is more than a hotel, it’s a piece of global architecture, three soaring towers capped by the SkyPark “surfboard” and the world’s most Instagrammed infinity pool. But behind the spectacle, would the experience actually live up to its reputation?
Marina Bay Sands didn’t happen by accident, it was envisioned by Moshe Safdie (Canadian), whose bold, Triplet-tower-and-skypark concept redefined Singapore’s skyline Safdie's team worked closely with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and a formidable roster of consultants to bring the vision to life: Aedas served as executive architect managing coordination and implementation; Arup took charge of structural, facade, geotechnical, and acoustical engineering; Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP USA) and R.G. Vanderweil covered the MEP systems; PWP Landscape Architecture and Peridian Asia shaped the resort’s outdoor realm; Howard Fields Associates designed the dramatic water features; and Project Lighting Design layered in the atmospheric illumination, Feng shui consultants Chong Swan Lek and Louisa Ong-Lee even played advisory roles to ensure harmony in the resort’s orientation and feel. In the end, it wasn’t just a hotel, it was a city-sized project artfully stitched together by a world-class architecture and engineering collaboration.
Check-in was my first reality check. The line stretched across the lobby, at least a 20-minute wait, and the whole thing felt more like boarding a flight at Changi than being welcomed into a luxury hotel. MBS isn’t discreet or intimate, it’s a tourist hub, and you feel that immediately. The sheer scale means you can easily get lost; the building is vast, overwhelming, and buzzing at all hours. I’d stayed at ParkRoyal Pickering (Chinatown) and Amara Hotel (Tanjong Pagar) where check-in was quick and effortless, but of course, those hotels aren’t operating at the same scale as Marina Bay Sands.
Marina Bay Sands opened back in 2010, and you can feel those years in the older tower rooms. At around 45 sqm (480 sq ft), the space is generous for a city hotel, but the design hasn’t kept pace. Chrome lamps, veneered furniture, generic artwork, it all feels like a time capsule from opening day. Comfortable, yes, but not what you’d expect from one of the world’s most photographed hotels. Compared to the Royal Atlantis, where every detail feels fresh and curated, MBS’s older rooms are showing their age and desperately needed that refresh.
The bathroom carried more weight: marble surfaces, double vanities, a soaking tub, and a rain shower. The switch from Salvatore Ferragamo to Jo Loves by Jo Malone amenities was a smart move, lighter, fresher, and more contemporary. Even the minibar tried to charm with TWG teas, Nespresso pods, and tucked-away snacks, though it felt more “nice hotel” than “global icon.”
And then came the view, the hotel’s ace card. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed either Gardens by the Bay or Singapore’s skyline, and at night the whole bay glittered like a movie set. Honestly, the interiors might be tired, but the view is timeless, and it’s doing all the heavy lifting.
The contrast is sharp when you look at the renovated Tower 3 suites, where MBS finally feels reborn. Larger layouts, bespoke furniture, layered materials, it’s the upgrade the brand has needed for years. And with Tower 4 on the way, the refresh couldn’t come soon enough (more information below).
Food is one of MBS’s strongest cards. On the ground floors and mall level, you’ll find everything from celebrity chefs (CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Din Tai Fung, Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda (Amazing), Mott 32) to casual spots like Roberta’s Pizza and Black Tap. It’s overwhelming in choice but consistently high in quality.
Above, the rooftop venues, Spago (great spot for business lunch), LAVO, and CÉ LA VI, are the ones to beat. Dining here is as much about the panoramic views as it is about the food, with the skyline laid out beneath you like theatre. My advice: go at sunset, when the city turns gold.
Yes, it’s stunning. The 57th-floor infinity pool is the longest elevated pool in the world (not the tallest that’s Zeta at Address JBR), and swimming up to that vanishing edge with the skyline spilling away beneath you is unforgettable. But don’t expect serenity. The pool is crowded from sunrise to sundown, packed with tourists jockeying for the perfect selfie. If you want the money shot without a stranger’s elbow in the frame, set your alarm for 6 a.m.
Thankfully, I had a peek inside the newly renovated suites in Tower 3, and this is where Marina Bay Sands finally begins to feel like the ultra-luxury destination it has always aspired to be. The difference is immediate.
What makes it even more impressive is that this transformation wasn’t outsourced to a headline-grabbing global design house, it was delivered by the MBS in-house design team. There’s something refreshing about a property of this scale reimagining itself from within, with people who truly understand the building, its rhythms, and its clientele.
First, the strategy: fewer rooms, larger layouts. MBS deliberately reduced the key count to shift away from volume and lean into exclusivity. Instead of rows of nearly identical rooms, you now get suites that feel curated, spaces with flow, proportion, and intent.
The finishes are leagues apart from the old towers (I’m super impressed by the workmanship). Gone are the dated veneers and chrome fittings; in their place are textured wall panels, brushed bronze accents, honed stone, warm timber veneers, and soft, layered fabrics. Everything feels tactile, every surface invites touch. The furniture is bespoke, custom-commissioned for the space, not pulled from a catalogue. Even the lighting has been reconsidered, warmer tones, hidden sources, creating atmosphere instead of glare. It’s the kind of detail you’d expect from an Aman, Rosewood, or even a Gathy-designed Denniston project, not from a mega-resort.
Bathrooms, once functional, are now showpieces. Think deep freestanding tubs angled towards the skyline, rain showers with metallic detailing, and expansive vanities cut from stone that feels carved rather than manufactured. The design is restrained but confident luxury without screaming.
Amenities elevate the experience further. Dyson Supersonic hairdryers, wireless charging pads built seamlessly into bedside tables, oversized 75” flat-screens, and curated minibars that feel more like private cocktail stations. Toiletries are by Jo Loves by Jo Malone (Jo Malone is a personal favourite), a step up in sophistication and far fresher than the old Ferragamo days. Even the in-room tech has been upgraded: seamless tablet controls for lighting, curtains, and temperature, finally bringing the rooms into the present.
And then, of course, the views. Floor-to-ceiling glazing turns the city into a live art installation. By day, Gardens by the Bay rises like a futuristic jungle; by night, the Marina Bay waterfront glitters like sequins. The architecture outside finally feels matched by the interiors within.
Pricing reflects the upgrade. While older rooms typically range from AED 1,600–1,800 off-peak and AED 3,000+ in peak season, the renovated Tower 3 suites are priced north of AED 3,500–5,000 per night depending on category and season. It’s a deliberate move: these rooms aren’t for the masses; they’re for the segment who want exclusivity in the middle of one of the busiest hotels on earth.
Tower 3 is more than a renovation, it’s a preview of Tower 4. If this is the template, then the future of Marina Bay Sands is no longer just about hype or the infinity pool. It’s about creating a genuine ultra-luxury tier within one of the most recognisable hotels in the world. And in my view, it couldn’t have come soon enough.
And that brings us to Tower 4 the $8 billion expansion. Designed again by Safdie Architects with interiors by Tony Chi & Associates, it promises 570 all-suite keys, rooftop gardens with pools, and a 15,000-seat arena. When it opens in the early 2030s, it won’t just extend MBS, it will redefine it.
MBS is not cheap. Off-peak, expect around AED 1,600–1,800 per night. During peak periods, Formula 1, New Year’s Eve, prices can climb well above AED 3,000. That’s before you add dining, shopping, or entertainment.
By comparison, The Royal Atlantis often charges a similar rate, but delivers fresher design, higher service consistency, and less crowd chaos. MBS trades on its icon status; you’re not paying for subtlety; you’re paying for the spectacle.
Marina Bay Sands is an icon, but it’s not for everyone. The old towers feel dated, the check-in queues can frustrate, and the crowds are relentless. Yes, the infinity pool is unforgettable, but it’s also overcrowded. The restaurants deliver but so does half the city.
Would I recommend it? Yes, for one night. Go for the view, the rooftop, the hype. Tick the box. But for true five-star quality, you’ll find more consistency, and better value, elsewhere.
It’s the definition of an Instagrammable hotel: overhyped, overpriced, and not always delivering to the standard its reputation suggests. But with Tower 3’s renovations and Tower 4 on the horizon, MBS has a chance to evolve into something genuinely extraordinary.
Until then, it’s a spectacle worth experiencing once, but not a place I’d linger.
