Last updated on May 28th, 2026 at 06:54 am
I saw the photos, saw the pool, and said to my daughter
” Do you want to go to Singapore – because I’ve got to go and swim in that pool!”
Of course this was right up her alley.
“Duh – yes mum.”
So I booked the flights – and of course THE HOTEL!
We Loved it – with a capital L!
But that was pre-covid and now its got mighty pricey to tick off that bucket list item. So, the question is of course, “is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel worth it?”
I’ll give you my experience and opinion step by step, before the big and tricky answer to that question!
Spoiler alert – it really is that fabulous!
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels,and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
A Quick Guide to plan your trip to Singapore
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains.
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site.
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. These are my top things to do in Singapore while you are staying at the Marina Bay Sands:
- Take a small group customizable tour of the city
- Discover the city at night on a Singapore River Cruise, Night Garden Rhapsody & Spectra
- Singapore: Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street Walking Tour
- Singapore Stories Food Tour with 12+ Tastings
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
Now lets discover the Marina Bay Sands hotel…..
The Marina Bay Sands Lobby
The architecture is stunning in its hugeness and design. Get here early so you can spend some time soaking it in.
Result = Positive +
Checking In at Marina Bay Sands
Check in was easy and if you get there early and your room is not ready, you can store you luggage. However, the lovely staff let us check in three hours before the time stated on the website!
If you don’t get an early check in, as said, just sitting in the lobby is quite the place for wondering at the architecture, and for people watching! So even if you have to wait, I think its worth going early!
Note: The MBS website says
Our standard check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is 11:00am. Is complimentary early check-in available? Early check-ins are subject to availability. To guarantee an early check in, we recommend guests to book the room one night in advance.”
Result = Positive
The Marina Bay Sands Rooms
I chose a Deluxe Twin with Garden View.
The room had everything you might need and was much like other high quality hotel rooms – but the floor to ceiling windows were a bonus as was the balcony! IT makes such a difference being able to open to the outside – to me this was the best feature of the room.
Our beds were large and very comfortable. The bathroom was also very good. The room wasn’t large but not small and poky. We also had a large wardrobe, a small seating area, a writing desk and a big TV that i don’t think we really got to use! Of course, premier rooms and suites will offer more.
Really, as long as the bathroom and beds were ok we didn’t care because we were there for the pool!
Check out the different options – and prices.
Result = Positive +
The views from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Fabulous!
But the thing is its not just the city views. I actually preferred the views over Gardens By the Bay and the Singapore Strait – especially at night with the Supertree light show in the Gardens by the Bay. I really loved being able to see the entire Gardens By the Bay, Flower dome and Cloud Forest as well as all the ships in the strait from high above.
But it doesn’t matter which you prefer – you can see both from the pool and SkyPark Observation Deck area so you wont miss out.
Result = Positive ++
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel POOL!
Incomparable!!
I’m a swimmer, and for me – yes absolutely I wanted to swim in that pool – and the only way you can, is by staying in the hotel. You need a keycard to get in.
The pool was amazing – absolutely beyond brilliant. I loved it. We basically spent all day up there from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. The views and the height – WOW!
This is the world’s longest (146-metre long) elevated swimming pool – at 191 metres above the ground.
Even better, not only is there THE pool, but also there are a number of jacuzzi pools with views over the Garden by the Bay. And all this surrounded by palms and deck chairs. Seriously – AMAZING.
P.S. for the swimmers out there. Lengths is an ‘earlier in the morning’ activity – but I got a length of butterfly in at around 10am. Not bad, but its not really for that kind of swimming!
Result = Positive +++++++++++++++++
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel food
Breakfast not included. The food at poolside in my experience was pretty bad and expensive, so I didn’t bother with any of the restaurants and cannot really comment.
From what I have heard, the food quality varies with the restaurants so do some research. Note that you can get room service, which we did, and that food was actually pretty good.
Result = Negative (but I recognize this might be slightly unfair)!
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel facilities
Marina Bay Sands Shopping!
The Marina Bay Sands is more than a hotel – its a whole area with the hotel at its center. There is also a casino, a shopping mall, an MTR station, lots of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, a spa, a fitness centre, a museum, the SkyPark Observation Deck and probably other things I don’t know about!
The Shoppes is the primary shopping attraction at the hotel where you can take Sampan rides along the canal and (window) shop for your Chanel, Cartier, Armani…..
Book ahead for a Sampan Boat Ride Ticket!
I digress! The hotel has all the facilities you would expect from room service to minibar (complimentary soft drinks) to luggage storage, but really I was there for the pool, great loungers and bathrobes included, so may not have noticed if anything was missing!
Result = Positive +
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel cost
It doesn’t come cheap – although you might be pleased to hear it is not “the” most expensive place in Singapore!
The cheapest I have found in the next few months with a view is about $700 USD per night! However scroll down to the non-view rooms and you might find them for around $570 USD per night. These are the rooms on the lower floors that do not get the views. Does it matter if you are going to be up by the pool most of the day anyway? Probably not so much.
Note: The Garden View rooms are cheaper than the City View rooms by about $50 for the Premier Rooms. As said I liked that view better but of course it depends on your taste.
Result = oh no!! 🙁 That’s a Negative!
How long to stay at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel?
We stayed elsewhere for the first six nights of our trip and then booked the Marina Bay Sands the last two nights – with a late flight departure giving us time to hang out in that fabulous airport!
This worked brilliantly for us as we did all we wanted to do in our first five days and then spent the last two days in the Marina Bay Sands – and basically didn’t leave. We were there for the experience and the pool and so planned it that way. It worked beautifully!
But for you ? it depends on your budget, how long you are in Singapore and what you want from the hotel. If you are like me and want the pool experience, then I think two nights is a minimum.
Overall – is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel worth it?
Back then – unreservedly and absolutely YES!
As for now? Well it entirely depends on your budget, but if its limited then you’ve really got to want it very bad to fork out that kind of money. Its got to be a big want!
Would I pay now – knowing what I know?
To be honest, yes I would (but on a cheap night or two max)!
If you have read all this, I’d guess that you really want to stay. So really all I can say now is go ahead and Book your stay!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Q: Can you use the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool if you’re not staying at the hotel?
A: No. The famous Infinity Pool is exclusively for the use of hotel guests. You can still visit the public SkyPark Observation Deck for city views if you are not staying at the hotel, but not the pool.
Q: Is Marina Bay Sands worth staying at?
A: See above – yes if your budget allows! Especially if it’s your first time in Singapore, the infinity pool matters to you, or you want iconic skyline views. And definitely if you’re celebrating a special occasion!
Q: How much does Marina Bay Sands cost per night?
A: Prices vary significantly depending on season and room category. Typical pricing in 2025–2026 often ranged from approximately SGD $600–$1,000+ per night for standard rooms – and a lot more for premium rooms and suites.
Q: Which Marina Bay Sands room view is best?
A: Its debatable and depends on what you want. Personally I prefer the Gardens by the Bay view – for the Gardens light show views and views over the harbor. But others prefer the City skyline / Marina Bay view for the Singapore skyline and classic city scenery.
Q: What time is check-in and check-out?
A: Check-in: 3:00 PM, check-out: 11:00 AM – but you can always ask for early check in and late check out! We did and we got both! It depends on other bookings and occupancy.
Q: How many nights should you stay at Marina Bay Sands?
A: One night just to experience the pool and hotel atmosphere, but two nights is much better so you are not rushed and can really relax and enjoy it all. Three or more nights is great for a luxury-focused Singapore trip!
Q: Can you visit Marina Bay Sands without staying there?
A: Yes, you can visit the:
- Rooftop restaurants and bars
- SkyPark Observation Deck
- Restaurants
- Shopping mall
- ArtScience Museum
- Casino
Q: Is Marina Bay Sands close to Singapore attractions?
A: Yes, it is close to:
- Gardens by the Bay
- the Merlion area
- the Singapore Flyer
- Downtown Marina Bay area
- the ArtScience Museum
The Bayfront MRT station also connects directly underneath the complex which makes the location excellent.
Travel Tips for staying at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
- Stay at least two nights if you can – don’t rush the experience. Often people (like me) combine a stay at Marina Bay Sands with a more affordable hotel for other nights.
- Sunrise from the pool is great – often a top highlight
- Swim early morning when the pool is quieter (6-8am is great)
- The pool looks totally different at night – make sure you go to the rooftop then as well as during the day. Its also great to see the city from the rooftop at night.
- You can watch the waterfront light show and the Gardens by the Bay Supertree light show from the rooftop. From your room you can see one or the other.
- Bring something to swim in in your carry on if you are heading directly to the hotel from the airport. This way if your room is not ready you can still go use the pool.
- Gardens by the Bay view rooms are popular – for a reason! You get to see the Supertree show, great views and a better sunset experience. Often return customers ask for these rooms – even though they are usually cheaper!
- The MRT (underground / subway) is really easy to use and convenient. Ubers are also a good options for getting around. You can take the MRT directly to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel!
- Food and drink costs add up quickly – be prepared. Bring some of your own or go out for a meal.
- Check sunset times before sunset! Its is a different atmosphere and experience at this time and you don’t want to miss it!
- Remember general rules for Singapore. Do not:
– chew gum or bring chewing gum into the country
– litter
– eat on trains
– vape
– jaywalk
All these things are banned in Singapore and penalties are heavy!
Other places to stay in Singapore
Luxury alternative – Raffles Singapore
High End – the Fullerton Hotel, or the Park Royal Marina Bay
Mid Range – Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong or JEN Singapore Orchardgateway
Related Posts
The 12 best places to take a walk on the wild side in Singapore
And if you like things ‘wild’ extend your trip…….
The best places to see wildlife in Sabah – including the Borneo big five!