In a nutshell
- Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s absolute highlights — and you’re probably wondering how to get up to that incredible rooftop view. We’ll show you exactly how.
- To swim in the famous Marina Bay Sands infinity pool, you’ll need to book at least one night at the hotel — there’s no other way in.
- No overnight stay planned? You can still reach the Marina Bay Sands observation deck for as little as 23 euros with an online ticket — and we strongly recommend buying it in advance to skip the line.
See also:
10 fascinating facts about the Marina Bay Sands
Before we dive in, here are some jaw-dropping facts and figures about the Marina Bay Sands. Nothing puts this place in perspective quite like the numbers.
- The hotel has 2,561 rooms spread across three towers.
- The building stands 191 meters tall across 57 floors.
- The famous rooftop infinity pool stretches 146 meters long.
- The rooftop SkyPark is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall.
- The rooftop can hold up to 3,900 people at once.
- Construction cost more than 8 billion SGD (approx. 5 billion euros).
- The hotel reportedly generates 1 billion SGD in profit per year. Not bad, right?
- Around 10,000 employees work across the entire complex.
- The hotel is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corporation, best known for its casino empire.
- The Marina Bay Sands casino has over 600 tables and 2,500 slot machines.
Pretty incredible, isn’t it? No wonder Marina Bay Sands ranks among the most famous hotels in the world. Alongside highlights like Sentosa Island and Supertree Grove, a visit here is an absolute must on any trip to Singapore — even if you’re just passing through on a stopover.
How to get to the Infinity Pool
Floating in the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool nearly 200 meters above Singapore, with the city skyline stretching out in front of you — for a lot of travelers, this is the dream. And honestly, we get it completely.
Here’s the catch though: the pool is only accessible to hotel guests. You can’t just show up in your swimsuit and hop in. There are no exceptions — if there were, the place would be completely overwhelmed.
To swim in the pool, you need to check in for at least one night. Hotel guests receive wristbands that give them access.
Let’s be upfront about one thing: staying here is seriously expensive. Room rates are steep. We’ll get to the exact numbers in a moment.
The best time for the pool
The pool is least crowded around noon and in the early afternoon.
Since many guests book just one night specifically for the pool experience, things get really busy in the late afternoon. In the morning, the previous night’s guests check out, and the pool tends to quiet down noticeably after that.
The downside: to enjoy the pool at its least crowded, you’d really need to stay at least two nights.
Staying at Marina Bay Sands
Thinking about booking a room? Here are a few things to know before you do. If you want to compare Marina Bay Sands with other places to stay, check out our hotel tips for Singapore:
Check out our hotel recommendations for Singapore
Rooms with a view
Marina Bay Sands has 57 floors. Rooms on the upper floors have genuinely stunning views; rooms on the lower floors really don’t. The view rooms cost more, but they’re also significantly better. If the booking description doesn’t specifically mention a view, your room won’t have one.
If the view matters to you, you can choose between a harbor view and a city view. In our opinion, the city view is far more spectacular.
Browse room categories and prices at Marina Bay Sands
How much does a night at Marina Bay Sands cost?
There are several room categories available. Currently (as of 2023), the cheapest double room starts at around 500 euros per night. The more luxury you want, the higher the price — a suite of just under 100 square meters runs about 1,600 euros.
Is it worth booking a hotel room at Marina Bay Sands
We haven’t stayed there ourselves yet. But we asked our Instagram followers whether a stay at Marina Bay Sands is worth it — and got a resounding “yes” in response.
Only a handful said they wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, though even they were glad they did it. The overwhelming majority called it an unforgettable experience.
How to get to the observation deck
Can’t afford to stay overnight — or just don’t want to? You still don’t have to miss out on the incredible panorama from one of Singapore’s best vantage points. There are other ways to reach the roof, and here’s what you need to know.
Public Observation Deck
The public Observation Deck sits on the third tower and is open to non-hotel guests. It’s open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM.
Our tip: Head up at sunset. The skyline glows in an incredible light, and if you stick around a little longer, the whole thing looks just as stunning after dark.
Tickets for the Observation Deck
Admission costs 23 euros (or 26 euros during peak times). Around sunset, the lines at the ticket counter get seriously long. We strongly recommend buying your ticket online in advance.
The ticket is valid for six months from your selected date, so you don’t need to commit to a specific day right away. You can show the ticket on your smartphone — no need to print anything.
Get your online tickets for the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck
Photo tip: Tripods aren’t allowed up top. That said, we managed to attach our Gorillapod to the railing and use it to photograph the skyline after dark — totally worth it.
Restaurants & Bars on the Rooftop
Not keen on sharing the observation deck with a crowd? Then the rooftop restaurants and bars are a great alternative — you get the view with a drink or a meal in hand.
We probably don’t need to tell you that the prices are steep. But honestly, given the location, we think they’re justified. A smart-casual dress code applies to all venues up here. Flip-flops and shorts won’t get you in.
Your rooftop options:
CÉ LA VIE: This restaurant and skybar serves modern Asian cuisine alongside great cocktails, all with a stunning 360° view. Open for both lunch and dinner. Non-hotel guests pay an entrance fee of 34 euros, which goes toward your food and drinks. Book a reservation and the entry fee is waived, though a minimum spend applies. Reserve early — it fills up fast.
LAVO: An American-Italian restaurant and bar that opens at 12:00 PM, with a breakfast buffet served from 6:30–10:30 AM. Next door is a disco lounge with a full DJ setup and a terrace with a view.
Spago: A quieter but equally glamorous option, run by Austrian celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Classic California cuisine for lunch and dinner, plus a bar and lounge — no DJ, just a more relaxed, sophisticated vibe.
More highlights at Marina Bay Sands
Now you know the deal with the accommodation and the SkyPark. But Marina Bay Sands has a lot more to offer. Most of it is pretty mainstream, sure — but everything here is done on such a massive, spectacular scale that it’s genuinely worth your time.
ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum occupies the striking lotus-shaped building in front of the hotel and is part of the Marina Bay Sands complex. It hosts rotating exhibitions built around art, technology, culture, and science. It’s especially great if you’re on a trip with kids — there’s so much to explore and interact with.
Casino
One of the most popular draws at Marina Bay Sands is the enormous on-site casino — in fact, it’s considered the largest standalone casino in the world. Spread across three floors, it features 20 game types across more than 600 tables, including classics like roulette and blackjack, plus over 2,500 slot machines.
Note: Entry to the casino is free for tourists. Singapore residents, however, pay a hefty 150 SGD to get in. Bring your passport — you’ll need it to prove your tourist status at the door.
Musicals and Concerts
If you’re into musicals or live theater, the two on-site theaters regularly host big productions — think “Mamma Mia!”, “Matilda”, circus shows, and “&Juliet”. World-famous artists also perform here regularly, so it’s worth checking what’s on during your visit.
Spectra Water Show
Every evening, a free water and light show takes place right at Marina Bay Sands. The best spot to watch is from the opposite bank or in front of the Esplanade Theatre. The show runs for 15 minutes and features multi-meter-high water fountains, music, and a giant glass prism that refracts colorful light displays in seriously impressive ways.
Shows run daily at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, there’s a third show at 10:00 PM.
Digital Light Canvas
Another must-see is the Digital Light Canvas, a permanent light installation inside the Marina Bay Sands shopping center, near the Helix Bridge entrance on the left side of the building.
You can watch it from the side for free, or step onto the interactive LED floor while 400,000 colorful LED lights hang above you, creating a surreal fantasy-world effect. Walking across the floor costs 12 SGD.
Shopping Mall: The Shoppes
The hotel’s massive luxury shopping mall lets you browse Armani, Versace, and other high-end brands well into the evening. If you really want to go all out, you can hire a personal shopper — that’ll set you back 250 SGD for three hours.
