If you’ve never heard of the Marina Bay Sands, you’ve undoubtedly seen it. Google Singapore, a tiny Southeast Asian metropolis, and every other image will include the hotel’s three sloping towers with a “SkyPark” extended over the top.

Whether it looks like a boat, three decks of cards, or is simply an ingenious design by architect Moshe Safdie, the building has become synonymous with the Singapore skyline since it opened in 2010 — and now, it’s recently undergone a billion-dollar renovation, majorly upgrading more than 1,000 rooms in Towers 1 and 2. (Tower 3’s transformation is coming).

During my first stay in 2018, I spent hours in the Instagram-famous 500-foot rooftop infinity pool, swimming from end to end and taking in every angle of the city between strokes. My second stay was for a work conference, a commonality for many guests at the Marina Bay Sands.

Inside this massive integrated resort is a convention center, casino, museum, restaurants, and shops. I’ve shared elevators with exhausted coworkers, teens plotting the perfect pool photo, and high-rollers returning from a gambling session.

There is so much going on at the Marina Bay Sands that it often feels like more than a hotel. It is its own microcosm of Singapore’s reputation as a financial hub, a cocktail bar haven, and the poshest place in Asia.

When Taylor Swift played in Singapore, she stayed in one of its swankiest new suites with 24-hour butler service. And when the city comes alive for the Singapore Grand Prix, the towers are packed with motorsport fans looking for a track view. My next visit to Singapore will be to (hopefully) watch Lewis Hamilton finish P1 as the race cars zoom around the hotel.

For shopaholics, the hotel’s luxury buggy service will take you from Louis Vuitton Island to an Apple store surrounded by water in seconds flat. Families can jump on the hotel’s Sampan boats and float through its luxury shopping center. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at the world’s largest atrium casino’s 600 tables and 1,600 slot machines. Then, visit the ArtScience Museum, which has a rotation of imaginative and immersive exhibits. The myriad ways to entertain yourself in this adult playground are dizzying.

I’ve spent afternoons face-down on a massage table 55 stories in the air and evenings sipping Singapore Slings at its rooftop lounge CÉ LA VI. While you don’t have to leave the hotel grounds, missing out on Singapore’s UNESCO-recognized hawker center culture, pastel-colored shophouses, and lively Chinatown would be a shame. And when you return, sweaty and exhausted, your pillowy bed covered in Frette and Mascioni linen will be there waiting.

Here’s my review of Marina Bay Sands, a tourist attraction meets architecture icon.

The Rooms

With 1,850 rooms and suites spanning 55 floors and three standalone towers, you may think you’ll be packed in like sardines, but starting rooms here are nearly 500 square feet. Split between the Sands Collection and the ultra-ritzy Paiza Collection, eight room categories range from the Sands Premier Room to the Paiza Signature Suite.

All its rooms feel plush and elegant with Champagne golds, chrome finishes, light timber, and muted velvet furniture. In line with Singapore’s high-tech sensibilities, all rooms include wireless charging stations, massive 75-inch flatscreens, and Dyson hair dryers. If you’re unsure whether to choose the City View or the Bay View, go with the Bay — there’s nothing like looking at the glittering Supertree Grove at night.

My brand-new Sands Premier Room felt lightyears away from the previous starting category room I’d stayed at here a few years earlier. It wasn’t just the high-end material blanketing every inch, but the amount of space, especially the marble-clad bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, and rain shower. Another nice touch is the bespoke cocktail trolley in each room and the lacquered Asian armoire full of local goodies and specialty tea.

For those splurging with its Paiza Collection, perks like a VIP arrival service, a butler on call, and access to its private lounge are all included.

Food and Drink

With close to 50 food and beverage options spread around Marina Bay Sands, 11 of which are in the actual hotel, even the pickiest eaters will find something. The huge variety of restaurants ranges from American favorites like Roberta’s Pizza and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer to Asian musts like Ippudo and Din Tai Fung.

There’s fine dining by celebrity chefs like Daniel Boulud, Gordon Ramsey, and Wolfgang Puck (book at Spago Dining Room for incredible city views). There are also casual options, including a variety of casual Western and French cafes, as well as quick sushi and pho.

Overwhelmed? We don’t blame you. If your head is spinning with food fantasies, I suggest slurping up some soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung, savoring the Peking duck at Mott 32, and splitting the signature meatballs at LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar — just be sure to ask for a table with a view.

Activities and Experiences

When it comes to Marina Bay Sands, there is so much to do and so little time.

The SkyPark is undoubtedly a major draw for guests. This rooftop area spans nearly three acres and is large enough to park four-and-a-half jumbo jets. And while reserved exclusively for guests, I recommend arriving at the infinity pool area early in the morning for peace and selfie-free space.

Other activities include hitting the slot machines, shopping at any of its 19 flagship stores, watching Spectra (an outdoor light and water show), or seeing one of its Broadway shows. And when you need to relax, its Banyan Tree Spa has everything from Thai massages to body scrubs. The hotel’s Technogym-equipped fitness center is located in the convention center (ask someone to guide you there; otherwise, you may never find it.) But for a unique workout experience, book a yoga, HIIT, or sound meditation class on the SkyPark with unbeatable views over Singapore.

The Spa

Located on the 55th floor of Tower 1, the Banyan Tree Spa has 12 treatment rooms decorated with Asian floral patterns, soothing water features, and warm colors. It offers page after page of full-body treatments, including a Radiance Revival facial, an Ayurvedic massage, and a Turmeric Honey Cleanser body scrub. Singapore is already one of the world’s cleanest cities, but you’ll feel like a new person after a treatment here.

Family-friendly Offerings

The hotel’s Sands Collection includes 33 Sands Family Suites, complete with bunk beds and fun animal-themed wallpaper. Little ones also get an Adventure Pack with a lion stuffed animal to explore the “Lion City.” Plus, there are numerous interactive ways to keep the kids busy, including the ArtScience Museum and the Digital Light Canvas, which are done in collaboration with teamLab.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There are 20 ADA-compliant rooms designed for wheelchair use and 29 elderly-friendly rooms featuring rails and showers with benches. All common areas, including the SkyPark, are accessibility-friendly.

Marina Bay Sands is working to reduce its carbon footprint, already cutting it by 24.4 percent since 2014. Its SkyPark is powered by 536 solar panels, the hotel’s fleet of cars is electric, and suites are outfitted with energy-efficient technology and control systems to adjust consumption based on occupancy.

Location

It doesn’t get more central than this. A quick 15-minute drive from Changi International Airport lands you between the Marina Bay waterfront and the Gardens by the Bay. Many of Singapore’s biggest attractions are within walking distance, including the Singapore Flyer, the Supertree Grove, and the National Museum of Singapore. If you want to venture further to neighborhoods like Kampong Glam and Duxton Hill, the Bayfront MRT is a two-minute walk away.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Marina Bay Sands has its own rewards program, Sands Lifestyle, which is free to sign up for and gives members deals on dining, shopping, and activities. The hotel also offers stay packages, so check its website for the latest deals.