Marina Bay Sands is world renowned for its infinity pool with a sky top view. I always thought it was a hotel. But my trip to Singapore was eye-opening. There’s so much more to this place.
The entire shopping centre complex is in Marina Bay and the hotel is a part of this great high-rise structure. There are levels built upon levels of different restaurants, bars, shops, a garden, including the many rooms of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
From afar, you can see a ship structure at the very top of Marina Bay. I recommend starting your day by going for a walk half-way across from Marina Bay. There’s a hotel with public access and you can grab a few great shots from directly opposite the building. Head back to Marina Bay and indulge in a bit of shopping. It’s all about the experience of being in Singapore and what I’ve learnt is that many people come to Singapore to shop.
There are many great restaurants around here. Price-wise everything is similar to the British Pound and AUD once exchanged, baring in mind all the restaurants are high-end hospitality. I went to Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay where there’s complimentary bread upon arrival. There were breadsticks, a wholegrain sourdough bread and some sort of seeded bread cracker, I’m always game for a bread basket and I find celebrity restaurants intriguing.
Considering I’m still a basic backpacker who thinks she’s obviously a luxury traveller, I bought some chips and a milkshake, instead of opting for the delicious-sounding main meals. The chips were thick-cut with a cute small tomato sauce jar that came on the side.
Marina Bay Rooftop Views
You can’t go to Singapore without experiencing a rooftop view of surrounding Singapore. We headed to Spago, on Level 57, Sands Skypark Tower 2. It’s the same floor as the infinity pool. To use the pool you need to be a member but the public can head to Spago. This elegant garden-like bar offers a panoramic view of the city. We managed to get there during happy hour, which is never a bad time. The cocktails of choice were ‘Run Like Hell’, a beautiful and light mix of gin, elderflower and lavender, ‘Peace on Earth’, is a sharp combination of rum, passion fruit, Orgeat syrup and coconut.
The view over the city was spectacular, but we all know my soul feels peace when it’s near the sea. Looking out over the other end of Spago’s beautifully fitted bar, there’s the expanse of the deep blue ocean. Both sides with their respective views sums up Singapore. The city has high-rise buildings in clusters, while the Bay has many freight ships anchored or in transit, representing Singapore as a remote island that needs the import from overseas to sustain their textile and crop industry.
Gardens By The Bay is a whole different experience of its kind. A spectacular event of lights and music, combined to create an enlightening evening show. The music usually has themes and because I was there during the Chinese New Year celebrations, the theme was Asia itself, with music from the many countries on this continent. Head here, get yourself a good viewing spot on the ground, lay back and take in the full show. There’s even a tree top walk you can do to see high above everyone else.
Clarke Quay
If you’re getting peckish or down-right hungry, I recommend heading out of Marina Bay and instead to the social hub of Clarke Quay. Pastel coloured and in a circle of bars and restaurants, this mini district is buzzing with raised voices and Singapore’s musky heat. Traipsed through by workers for post-drinks, hospitality staff and many tourists, the choices are plenty.
Many of the bars and restaurants around Clarke Quay have food and drink deals. There are deals like free drinks all night long for women… if ever there was a great marketing campaign, this would be it. Wind down to live music and a good meal to end the day.
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