Here’s a brief review of the Marina Bay Sands…where I spent almost my entire stay laying in bed.
I’m disappointed I cannot provide a more comprehensive review, for it is rare I stray from a Hyatt property, but hopefully the pictures and commentary will be of some value.
My flight from Los Angeles arrived quite early. After the incident onboard, I was in no condition to return immediately to LA and United provided me a room at Marina Bay Sands for as long as it was necessary for me to rest.
Room keys were distributed by a United rep at the airport and upon arrival, I proceeded immediately to Tower 3 and up to my room on the 27th floor.
The room was quite spacious and featured a great view of the city skyline. Inside the room was a king-size bed, desk, and chair. The bathroom featured a shower, but no bathtub, and a separate water closet.
I immediately went to sleep and did not really wake up again until around 2am the following morning. The rest was absolutely essential to my recovery and thankfully I felt significantly better.
I spent the next several hours working. By 7:30a my appetite had returned and I ventured up to Spago, on the rooftop, for some breakfast. Disappointingly, the restaurant had a long line…it felt like a Las Vegas casino. I did not wait.
Just outside Spago, the hotel’s signature infinity pool stretched out. It was early, but already crowded (though most people appeared to be taking pictures/selfies rather than swimming).
I proceeded downstairs and had breakfast at Adrift Restaurant on the lobby level. It was so crowded I did not take pictures of the buffet, but I did enjoy a fabulous cappuccino:
A cup of coffee was so appreciated after drinking only water for the past 30 hours.
Before leaving I proceeded upstairs to the fitness center, but it too was so crowded I took no pictures.
CONCLUSION
The Marina Bay Sands, owned by the same Sheldon Adelson conglomerate that owns the Venetian and the Palazzo in Las Vegas, is a beautiful property. Its landmark architecture is striking and beautiful. But it’s a crowded resort hotel. I hate waiting in line to eat or wading through throngs of people in the lobby.
The rooms are spacious and the beds are comfortable…certainly I can attest to that. But it is a crowded hotel and occupancy rates are high on a daily basis. Be warned.
Sorry to hear you didn’t get to enjoy Singapore.
Was UA so solicitous because they were afraid you had food poisoning from their food?
United had a week of activities planned in Singapore…I had just not planned to take part in them.
But United was very accommodating. I appreciated it.
Yeah i don’t understand why in the world united gave you a free hotel stay because you were sick? This makes no sense. Im sure you are leaving out the part that once you got to Singapore you berated the agent for hours saying DYKWTFIA and they eventually gave you a room to make you go away.
Just like that time you flew half way around the world knowing the airline canceled your ticket but still brlerated an agent for a couple days until you got your way.
I was on a sponsored media trip by United…as I outlined here:
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2017/10/27/united-lax-sin-inaugural/
I did not ask for or demand anything.
Are you jealous that Matthew’s a go-getter and you live a timid life… or what? If it works, why not do it? You can choose to live scared, but people like us would rather make the most of it.
Keep playing by the rules and have fun being average, “daddy”
Thanks for the brief review. I have spent a lot of time there for corporate events and drinking/eating but never actually stayed there. I always had the impression it would be too crowded to be comfortable, so avoided it, and it seems that is correct.
The architecture is impressive but would far rather be sleeping at the Ritz Carlton/Mandarin Oriental/Grand Hyatt in Singapore, especially since the Marina Bay Sands seems to be nearly the same price point online.
Think you got hit with the listeria coming out of LAX?
That would make so much sense, but my son got sick first…then me…then my wife, so can’t blame this one on catering at LAX.
I’ve stayed there a few times and it gets empty around checkout time until about and hour after checking. My theory is that most people spend one night there for the pool; go to the pool at around 10am and no ones there.
Thanks for the review Matthew. Unlike some people I appreciate your taking time to document the hotel, especially when you were sick. Your observations will help readers understand what they might get into.
If you want to experience the Marina Bay Sands pool in serenity, be there when it opens (around 6:00 am) I did that and it was magical to watch the sun rise over Singapore. What is more, I had the entire pool to myself.
I stayed at the Marina By Sands in 2015. It was a pleasant stay but I’m not sure I’d stay there again. Next time I’d probably stay at one of the many Starwood properties instead. To spend $1000+ for the stay and get absolutely no usable points for the dollars spent did sting a bit.
I stayed for a night on my 1st Round-the-World #RTW13. I reserved a club King and requested a high floor on the Gardens by the Sea side. I was assign a room on the right side, but on a very low floor so I looked out on the freeway. Yuck! I called to complain, probably was too harsh, but it worked! Go upgraded to 49th floor Orchid Suite with views both to the Sea and inter harbor- Sweet Suite. The club lounge is on the roof deck looking over the Gardens. Beautiful sunrise with bacon! I’d love to go back, and will splurge for the Suite again. Even though it puts Into that jerk owner I try to be upfront with my hypocrisy
Just an update if anyone is still following this thread
I spent two nights during RTW19 2.0, May 10-12 in a Garden side Orchid suite mainly for the closeness to the Gardens by the Bay!! it was horribly crowded but the room was serene The Club lounge was a feeding pit for cocktails with cheap gin so did fresh mango and Tequila Bfast option at Sprago was great – former club for first trip if you got there at opening 6:30 which was fine with me Doubt I’ll ever be back, but fun while it lasted 🙂