Is Marina Bay Sands Worth It? My Honest Review

Have you ever dreamed of swimming in that famous infinity pool on top of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore? I certainly had!

It’s one of Singapore’s most recognisable landmarks, and staying there is a bucket-list experience for many travellers. But there’s one fairly big obstacle – the price.

A night at Marina Bay Sands can cost more than an entire week’s accommodation elsewhere in Singapore.

So, is Marina Bay Sands worth it, or are you really just paying a fortune to swim in that famous infinity pool?

I’m usually pretty careful with my travel budget, but I also believe in splurging on experiences that are important to me. And swimming in that rooftop pool was one of them.

We booked two nights at Marina Bay Sands to see whether it lived up to the hype.

In this Marina Bay Sands review, I’ll share what we thought of the room, the famous infinity pool, the facilities and the overall experience. I’ll also explain what I loved, what didn’t quite meet my expectations, and whether I think it’s worth the money.

Thinking of booking a stay? Check the latest Marina Bay Sands prices and availability here.

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Why Did We Choose to Stay at Marina Bay Sands?

I’ve visited Singapore quite a few times, and while I usually prefer to explore Singapore on a budget, I’d always admired Marina Bay Sands from a distance.

Like so many other travellers, I wanted to swim in that famous rooftop infinity pool. But every time I looked at the room prices, I couldn’t quite justify spending that much money.

Then, just before we set off on our 13-month gap year, I won a $1,000 AUD travel voucher at a travel expo. Yes, people really do win those prizes!

I could have been sensible and used it towards flights or accommodation elsewhere on our trip. Instead, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to tick something off my bucket list.

We booked two nights at Marina Bay Sands for our first stop outside Australia.

I was ridiculously excited!

Although I generally prefer mid-range accommodation, Simon and I enjoy a little luxury occasionally. We’d stayed in five-star hotels before, so I had some expectations about what we’d get for our money.

But Marina Bay Sands wasn’t just any five-star hotel. With its reputation, iconic rooftop pool and hefty price tag, I was expecting something pretty special.

Our Arrival and First Impressions

We caught the MRT to Marina Bay Sands, which is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around Singapore.

Bayfront MRT station is directly beneath the complex, served by both the Downtown and Circle Lines. From the station, it’s a short, well-signposted walk to the hotel lobby.

As soon as we walked inside, the first thing that struck me was just how enormous the hotel was!

The three towers are connected by a huge, open lobby, with soaring ceilings and people coming and going in every direction.

There are multiple check-in areas, which makes sense for a hotel of this size.

We arrived about two hours before the official check-in time, hoping we might be able to leave our bags while we explored.

To our surprise, our room was already ready!

We were also offered a complimentary late checkout of midday without asking, which was a nice bonus. While checking in, we were given cold welcome drinks.

Despite the size of the hotel, everything felt calm and organised, and we didn’t feel rushed.

Of course, arriving before the usual check-in rush probably helped, but it was a great start to our stay.

Our Marina Bay Sands Room

We booked a Deluxe King Room, which was one of the more basic room options available at the time.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it was a lovely room. But was it any better than other five-star hotels we’d stayed in? Not really.

The bed was comfortable, there were plenty of pillows, and the room had everything you’d expect from a luxury hotel, including bathrobes, toiletries, a minibar and a safe.

The bathroom was spacious, with a large shower and lovely toiletries. There was even a little elephant made from towels waiting for us, which was a nice touch.

One feature I hadn’t seen before was what happened when we put our room key into the electricity slot. Not only did the lights come on, but the curtains automatically opened to reveal the view.

And what a view it was!

We were on the 47th floor of Tower Three, overlooking Gardens by the Bay. From our room, we could see the Supertrees, the gardens and the surrounding area stretching out below us.

We even had a tiny balcony where we could step outside to enjoy the view. There wasn’t enough space for a chair, but I loved being able to stand out there and look across Singapore.

One of the highlights was watching the nightly Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay from above.

We could see the Supertrees changing colours and lighting up in time with the music. It was a completely different perspective from watching the show at ground level, although we couldn’t properly hear the soundtrack from our room.

For me, the view was easily the best part of our accommodation.

The room itself was comfortable and had everything we needed, but it didn’t feel particularly extraordinary considering the price.

Marina Bay Sands has since renovated and upgraded much of its accommodation, so the rooms available today may be quite different from what we experienced.

If you’re considering booking, I’d recommend comparing the current room categories carefully, particularly the views. A room overlooking Gardens by the Bay or the city skyline could make a big difference to your experience.

For us, though, the room wasn’t the main reason we’d booked our stay.

That was waiting for us 57 floors above the ground.

The Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool

Let’s be clear – the main reason we booked Marina Bay Sands was to swim in that famous infinity pool!

Located on the 57th floor, the rooftop pool offers incredible views over Singapore’s skyline. It’s one of the most photographed swimming pools in the world, and I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself.

The pool is open daily from 6 am until midnight, and access is exclusively for registered hotel guests. You can’t buy a day pass or pay to use the pool if you’re staying elsewhere.

And that’s really what makes staying at Marina Bay Sands so tempting.

We first headed up to the pool at around 8:30 am, thinking we’d beaten the crowds.

We hadn’t!

Almost all the sun loungers were already occupied or had towels and belongings on them.

We eventually found somewhere to sit, but it was in full sun, and even at that time of the morning, Singapore was already hot.

Still, once I was in the water, looking out over the city from 57 floors up, I understood why so many people want to experience it.

There’s something quite special about swimming so high above the streets of Singapore.

We spent a couple of hours enjoying the pool before heading back to our room.

What Happens When the Weather Turns Bad?

We returned to the pool later that afternoon, only to discover it was closed because of an approaching thunderstorm.

It wasn’t even raining at the time, and the storm didn’t seem particularly close. But the pool can close temporarily when lightning or other weather conditions make swimming unsafe.

It’s something worth considering if you’re booking Marina Bay Sands primarily for the infinity pool.

Singapore experiences tropical thunderstorms throughout the year, and even though we visited in April, we still encountered stormy weather.

If you only book one night, you could find that bad weather takes away a significant part of your pool time.

This is one of the reasons I’d recommend staying for two nights if your budget allows.

Is the Marina Bay Sands Pool Crowded?

In our experience, yes!

There were plenty of people around the pool whenever we visited, although the atmosphere changed throughout the day.

If you’d prefer somewhere quieter, there is an adults-only section, as well as a family-friendly area and a separate children’s pool.

My advice is to get up early and head straight to the pool when it opens. You’ll have a better chance of finding a good sun lounger, and you might get to enjoy the views before the crowds arrive.

Sun loungers, towels, sunscreen and bottled water are provided, so there’s no need to bring much more than your swimming gear and room keycard.

Swimming at Marina Bay Sands at Night

One of my favourite parts of our stay was returning to the pool after dark.

Seeing Singapore’s skyline illuminated at night while floating in the infinity pool was a completely different experience from swimming during the day.

There were still plenty of people around, but the atmosphere was more relaxed and social.

You can order drinks and food from the poolside staff, so it’s a lovely place to enjoy a cocktail or just sit back and take in the views.

For me, the pool was undoubtedly the highlight of our stay. The room was lovely, but this was the experience we’d really come for.

The Restaurants and Bars at Marina Bay Sands

You certainly won’t go hungry at Marina Bay Sands! There are dozens of restaurants, cafés and bars throughout the hotel and adjoining shopping centre, The Shoppes.

If you’re looking for a special meal, you’ll find plenty of fine dining options, including celebrity chef restaurants such as Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay and CUT by Wolfgang Puck.

CUT and Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda both hold one Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Singapore.

There are also rooftop restaurants and bars, such as CÉ LA VI and LAVO, where the views are almost as much of an attraction as the food.

But you don’t have to spend a fortune on every meal just because you’re staying at Marina Bay Sands.

The Shoppes has plenty of more casual dining options, including cafés, restaurants serving Asian and Western food, and a food court.

We were very conscious that our two nights at Marina Bay Sands were just the beginning of 13 months of travelling, so we weren’t about to blow our food budget as well!

Instead, we ate some of our meals at the food court, Rasapura Masters, where there’s a good selection of local and Asian dishes.

It’s a convenient option if you want to try some traditional Singapore food without paying fine dining prices.

I remember having some particularly delicious noodles there, and they were excellent value compared with the restaurants upstairs.

We also ate elsewhere in Singapore, where there are endless opportunities to enjoy fantastic food at reasonable prices.

While I can’t personally recommend any of the fine dining restaurants at Marina Bay Sands, I can certainly recommend the food court if you’re looking to keep your costs down.

My advice? If there’s a restaurant at Marina Bay Sands you’ve always wanted to try, go ahead and make it part of your experience. But don’t feel you have to eat expensive meals throughout your stay.

Some of Singapore’s best food can be found well away from five-star hotels.

The Other Areas of Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands is much more than a hotel. It’s an enormous complex with a luxury shopping centre, restaurants, entertainment, a casino and several attractions.

You could easily spend an entire day exploring without leaving the property.

The Gym and Spa

Marina Bay Sands has a well-equipped fitness centre with treadmills, exercise bikes, weights and other equipment.

During our stay, I particularly enjoyed being able to work out while admiring the views across Singapore.

The fitness facilities have since changed, with the current fitness centre located on Level 3 of the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. It’s open 24 hours a day for hotel guests.

For something more relaxing, there are also luxury spa treatments available.

These come at luxury hotel prices, but if you’re planning a special occasion, a spa treatment might be another way to make the most of your stay.

Shopping at The Shoppes

Connected directly to the hotel is The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, an enormous shopping centre filled with designer boutiques, international brands, restaurants and cafés.

It’s certainly worth having a look around, even if your budget doesn’t stretch to the designer shops!

One of the more unusual features is the indoor canal, where you can take a sampan boat ride through the shopping centre.

There’s also the Rain Oculus, a huge water feature that periodically releases a cascade of water from above into the canal below.

It’s quite a sight when the water comes rushing down.

The Shoppes also has the Digital Light Canvas by teamLab, an interactive digital art installation that’s particularly popular with families.

ArtScience Museum

Just outside The Shoppes is one of Singapore’s most distinctive buildings, the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum.

We didn’t visit during our Marina Bay Sands stay, but we’ve been on other trips to Singapore, and I think it’s well worth a visit.

The museum combines art, science and technology, with exhibitions that often include interactive displays, digital projections and immersive experiences.

Some exhibitions are ongoing while others change, so it’s worth checking what’s on when you’re visiting.

You don’t need to be staying at Marina Bay Sands to visit the museum, and it’s an easy attraction to combine with a day exploring Marina Bay.

Check ArtScience Museum ticket prices and availability here.

Entertainment and the Casino

Marina Bay Sands is also home to the Sands Theatre, which hosts musicals and other live performances.

It’s worth checking the entertainment schedule if you’re visiting Singapore, particularly if you enjoy seeing a show while travelling.

There’s also a large casino within the complex.

Foreign visitors can generally enter the casino free of charge, provided they meet the age and entry requirements and bring acceptable identification.

Singapore citizens and permanent residents, however, must pay an entry levy of S$150 for 24 hours or S$3,000 for an annual pass.

Even if shopping, gambling and theatre aren’t your thing, there’s plenty to explore around Marina Bay Sands.

And with Gardens by the Bay, the waterfront promenade and other Singapore attractions within easy walking distance, it’s an excellent location for sightseeing.

The Verdict – Is Marina Bay Sands Worth It?

So, after spending two nights at Marina Bay Sands, do I think it was worth the money?

For us, yes. But I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone.

While Marina Bay Sands is a luxury hotel with excellent facilities, fantastic views and a great location, the room itself wasn’t particularly different from other five-star hotels we’d stayed in.

What makes Marina Bay Sands special is that famous infinity pool.

Swimming 57 floors above Singapore, looking out over the skyline, really is an incredible experience. It was something I’d wanted to do for years, and I’m glad we splurged to make it happen.

But if you’re not interested in swimming in the pool, I don’t think there’s much reason to pay the premium room rates.

There are plenty of lovely hotels in Singapore offering better value for money, often with excellent locations, rooftop pools and comfortable rooms for considerably less.

Is One Night at Marina Bay Sands Enough?

If your budget allows, I’d recommend booking two nights rather than one.

With just one night, you’ll have limited time to enjoy the hotel, especially when you factor in check-in and checkout times.

And as we discovered, Singapore’s tropical thunderstorms can temporarily close the rooftop pool.

Two nights gives you more opportunities to enjoy the pool at different times of the day, including early in the morning and after dark.

That said, if one night is all your budget will stretch to, I’d still consider it if swimming in the infinity pool is something you’ve always wanted to do.

I’d just make sure to plan your time around the hotel rather than spending the whole day sightseeing elsewhere.

Can You Enjoy Marina Bay Sands Without Staying There?

Absolutely!

If it’s the spectacular views you’re after rather than swimming in the pool, there are cheaper ways to experience Marina Bay Sands.

The SkyPark Observation Deck offers panoramic views across Singapore and is open to visitors who aren’t staying at the hotel.

The public observation deck is on Level 56, with access to part of Level 57.

Another option is to book a meal or drink at one of the rooftop restaurants and bars, such as CÉ LA VI or LAVO.

You’ll still get fantastic views, although you’ll need to check the individual venue’s entry requirements, minimum spends and reservation policies.

None of these options includes access to the infinity pool, but they’re an excellent alternative if you’re not interested in swimming.

Would I Stay at Marina Bay Sands Again?

I’m really pleased we stayed at Marina Bay Sands. It was a wonderful way to begin our gap year, and swimming in that infinity pool is a travel memory I’ll always treasure.

But having experienced it once, I’m not sure I’d be willing to spend that much money to stay there again.

There are so many other excellent places to stay in Singapore for a fraction of the price.

For me, Marina Bay Sands was a bucket-list splurge rather than somewhere I’d choose for every visit.

And I think that’s the best way to look at it.

If you’re simply looking for a comfortable, luxurious hotel in Singapore, I’d suggest spending your money elsewhere.

But if you’ve always dreamed of swimming in that rooftop infinity pool, and you can comfortably afford the splurge, then go for it!

Sometimes the memories are worth more than the money saved.

Check the latest Marina Bay Sands room rates and availability here.

The Marina Bay Sands Details

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956

Getting there: Bayfront MRT station on the Downtown and Circle Lines is directly connected to the Marina Bay Sands complex.

Check-in: From 3 pm

Checkout: By 11 am

Infinity pool: Level 57, open daily from 6 am to midnight, exclusively for registered hotel guests.

How Much Does a Room at Marina Bay Sands Cost?

Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s most expensive hotels, and room rates vary considerably depending on when you visit.

When I checked prices in October 2026, some dates were available for around S$800 per night, while others were considerably more expensive.

Prices can rise sharply during major events, weekends and busy holiday periods, so it’s worth comparing a few dates if you have some flexibility.

The hotel also offers different room categories and suites, with prices increasing for larger rooms, premium views and additional inclusions.

Keep an eye on whether breakfast is included, as it isn’t automatically part of every booking.

Tips for Booking Marina Bay Sands

If you’ve decided to splurge on Marina Bay Sands, here are a few ways to make the most of your money.

• Be flexible with your dates. Moving your stay by a day or two could make a significant difference to the price.
• Compare room categories. Think about whether you really need an upgraded room or whether you’d rather save the money and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
• Check what’s included. Some packages include breakfast or other extras that may make them better value.
• Consider two nights. If you’re spending this much money primarily to experience the pool, having two nights gives you more opportunities to enjoy it.
• Keep an eye on prices. Rates sometimes change closer to your travel dates, but there’s no guarantee they’ll drop. Consider booking a refundable rate and checking again later.
• Make the hotel your priority. Don’t book an expensive night at Marina Bay Sands and then spend the entire day sightseeing. Allow plenty of time to enjoy what you’ve paid for.

One useful thing to know is that if you arrive before your room is ready, the hotel can register you, store your luggage and give you temporary keycards to access the infinity pool, SkyPark Observation Deck and fitness centre while you wait.

That’s particularly useful if you’re only staying for one night.

Check the latest Marina Bay Sands room rates, special offers and availability here.

FAQs About Staying at Marina Bay Sands

Can you swim in the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool without staying there?

No. The infinity pool is exclusively for registered hotel guests. You can’t buy a day pass or access the pool by visiting one of the rooftop restaurants.

Can you visit the Marina Bay Sands rooftop without staying at the hotel?

Yes. You can purchase a ticket to the SkyPark Observation Deck or visit one of the rooftop restaurants and bars. You’ll enjoy fantastic views of Singapore without paying for a hotel room, but you won’t have access to the infinity pool.

Is Marina Bay Sands worth it for families?

It depends on your budget and what your family enjoys. The hotel has family-friendly facilities, including a children’s pool, and there are plenty of nearby attractions. However, other family-friendly hotels in Singapore cost considerably less.

Is breakfast included at Marina Bay Sands?

Not necessarily. Breakfast is included with some room rates and packages, but costs extra with others. Check what’s included before booking.

What is the best room to book at Marina Bay Sands?

That depends on your priorities. If you’re mainly staying to swim in the infinity pool, I’d consider booking one of the less expensive rooms.

If the view from your room is important, compare the different room categories carefully. We loved overlooking Gardens by the Bay, particularly at night when the Supertrees were illuminated.

Looking for more travel tips? You may be interested in these other posts on Singapore
My Favourite Things About Singapore
Haw Par Villa, Singapore’s First Theme Park
Top Tips for Singapore

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