Tag Archives: #singapore

Marina Bay Sands – A touch of luxury

Singapore has always been one of our favourite layover destinations. We have been coming here on and off for the last ten years and each time we come we say, “one day we’ll stay at the Marina Bay Sands”. From the exterior, this memorable hotel looks like a boat sitting on three towers. The three towers contain the available rooms and the boat structure features the hotels romantic infinity pool with a few restaurants and bars.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Marina Bay Sands Hotel at night

As we have just commenced our extended twelve-month travel expedition, we decided to grasp the opportunity and indulge ourselves in a stay at the Marina Bay Sands. On arrival into Singapore, we didn’t head straight to the hotel because we had already organised a stay at the Betel Box Backpackers and Hostel. After our night and an 11 am checkout from Betel Box we headed back to the Paya Lebar MRT station and catch the circle line train to the Bayfront MRT station.

On our arrival to Bayfront we alight inside The Shoppes. This luxury shopping complex it situated alongside the Marina Bay Sands, and has a skating rink, gondola ride, theatre and casino.  Gamble responsibly.

Marina Bay Sands
The Shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands has an indoor gondola ride.

It’s then a short stroll through the mall before you turn into the hotel complex. Just up the escalator and to the left is the hotel porter collecting your bags to take up to your room once you have checked in. Normal check-in is at 3 pm but we headed to the check-in desk at tower 1 and was immediately greeted by Marina Bay Sands staff member Kateline. We were presented with some satisfying complimentary refreshments whilst the check-in process occurred. Kateline was extremely helpful and had us checked in straight away so we didn’t have to spend a couple of hours shopping. She was also able to organise a late checkout for us on our last day at the hotel.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Check in counter at the bottom of tower 1

Our King Deluxe room was in tower 3 on the 47th floor. Each guest is given a room key to provide access to the elevators, rooms, and swimming pool area. So don’t make the mistake of accidentally leaving one of your keys behind. Because there are no exceptions. Children must be accompanied by an adult in the pool area.

Upon entry into our room and insertion of our room key, the blinds automatically open to provide one of the most spectacular views I’ve had the privilege of seeing. Our room overlooks Gardens by the bay horticultural area, this engineered masterpiece is an incredible must see attraction.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
What an amazing view from our room of the Gardens by the bay

The room is very nice. There is of course a King-sized bed, a day sofa, desk, chest of drawers and large flat screen television containing 50+ channels. Wi-Fi is available to guests which needs to be reactivated every 24 hours, which can get painful. Fortunately, the Wi-Fi is available throughout the whole complex including the shopping mall. The room is very clean and as mentioned the view is extraordinary. Each room has an automated climate controlled air conditioner which can be adjusted to your desired temperature from the wall control. As an Eco-saver when the balcony doors are opened the air conditioner will automatically turn off, then return once doors are closed again. Additionally, each room also has a pressure sensor mini bar fridge which will automatically charges your room when an item is removed.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
King Deluxe room, spacious, clean with an incredible view!

The bathroom is pristine. With a large shower cubicle at one end of the room, a central basin with plenty of bench space and a toilet at the other end. There is no lock on the siding door, so hopefully if you are staying with another person, they know you well. Otherwise it could get a little awkward.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The King Deluxe room’s pristine bathroom nicely matches the rest of the room.

We tried to fit as much as we could in our brief stay at the hotel. Taking the elevator to the 57th floor to visit the world-famous infinity pool, the sky-deck and bar and restaurant. The pool stretches for a generous section of the roof area, consisting of three pools. Each pool has an incredible view of the Singaporean skyline. We swam and lounged around the pool for a few hours, making sure we ticked it off our bucket list.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Swimming in the infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands. Ticked off Josie’s bucket list.

The sky-deck also produced some magnificent views of Singapore. Such views included the city skyline, the Singapore Flyer and the Gardens by the Bay.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The Singapore Flyer, from the sky-deck of the Marina Bay Sands

Food options at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel are exceptional. From multiple celebrity chef restaurants like Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen to your shopping centre food court. So no pressure, the choice is yours, depending on your budget.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen in The Shoppes complex

For the fitness conscious, the Banyan Tree Fitness Club is located on the 55th floor of tower two. They have a good variety of equipment to be used. So, if you want to burn off a few calories then head on up. If training isn’t your scene but you would like a spa treatment then the Banyan Tree Spa could be the place for you!

Overall the Marina Bay Sands is one of those hotels where you must stay, just to say you’ve stayed there. It is expensive, so depending on your travel budget it may not be an excellent choice. The facilities are world class and the infinity pool and spectacular views alone make it worth it. If you are into luxury and glamour then this is the hotel for you. If you are like us and want to tick it off your bucket list then book you stay today. Also, tell them Simon form Ourworldinreview sent you!

Additional Information for Marina Bay Sands Hotel

10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Ph: (65) 6688 8868
Website: www.marinabaysands.com

Book your stay at Marina Bay Sands Hotel now with Booking.com

Accommodation ranges from AUD $559.00 – AUD $6153.00 per night.

*Post Contains Affiliate links

Betel Box – Backpacking Accommodation in Singapore

Backpacking can be a relatively cheap way to travel the world. Over the years we have been able to travel though Malaysia, Vietnam, some parts of Europe and New Zealand with our children and our trusty backpacks. The main idea of doing this type of travelling was so that as a family of four, we could keep our expenses down and in doing so teaching our girls how to travel. Hopefully, these experiences would then help them in the future if they decided to venture out by themselves or with friends.

Singapore has been our stopover or transit city for a while now, and although we dearly love the country it will once again be a three-day stopover on our first leg to Europe. During our first stay in Singapore we found a cheap, friendly and clean backpacker in the Joo Chiat district called Betel Box Backpackers Hostel. We selected this hostel because it had some great reviews and had a family room which we could stay in.

View of street outside Betel Box
Looking down Joo Chiat Road towards the MRT station

It’s pretty easy to find so, hop onto Singapore’s easy and efficient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). If you’re travelling from the airport you will need to change trains at Tanah Merah by crossing the platform to the green line train. Take the green line train to Paya Lebar, then type the address into google maps and you will see it’s about a 10-minute walk.  Take that quick walk down Joo Chiat road and look for the green door that leads into the Betel Box backpackers hostel.

Betel Box Singapore
The green door of the Betel Box Backpackers Hostel

Make your way up the stairs to the first level which encompasses the reception area, kitchen and recreation room. There is always a friendly face in this room. You never know who you may meet, and which country they are from. The communal kitchen is fitted with all the essentials; toasters, kettles, cutlery and coffee supplies. Help yourself once you’ve settled in and introduce yourself to some of the residents.

Betel Box Hostel
The front reception counter of Betel Box
Betel Box
The kitchen. Help yourself to coffee, bread, condiments and fresh fruit.
Betel Box Hostel
The gaming area. Play some pool, watch some television or surf the net.

The Betel Box Backpackers Hostel offers a range of different 1 star accommodations for its visitors. They have four shared room options from a 6, 8 or 20-person mixed gender rooms to an 8 female only shared room. We usually stay in their family room which can accommodate a family of four. To be honest the rooms aren’t fabulous, but they are comfortable and clean. No bed bugs here!

Betel Box Hostel
The family room is comfortable and clean, and can accommodate a family of five.

The bathrooms and toilets are all communally shared, so you may have to time your bathroom and shower usage around other residents. The bathrooms are fairly clean and are located on each floor. They are tiled with small signs of wear and tear, but they aren’t disgusting. There’s no clutter or rubbish, but if you were looking for a 5-star bathroom, you probably wouldn’t have chosen a backpacker anyway. Don’t worry there is a decent lock on the door to ensure privacy.

Betel Box Hostel
The second-floor bathroom next to the family room. It’s not fancy but relatively clean for a backpacker.

From our experience, we’ve found out that the Betel Box Backpackers Hostel looks after their visitors. A laundry service is available at a reasonable price and they also provide incredible food tours that given you an excellent feed and plenty of information about Singaporean life.

Real Singapore tours at Betel Box
The tours and equipment available to try. I recommend the food walks.

In conclusion, the 1-star Betel Box Backpackers is a friendly, clean and safe place to stay. For families trying to extend their holidays, i would happily recommend their family room. The air conditioner alone is a lifesaver on those muggy nights. It’s not noisy and children are welcomed and looked after. Definitely do a food walk, they are fantastic. They do last 4-5 hours, and our children found it tiring but worthwhile when we done it. Enjoy your stay at the Betel Box Backpackers Hostel and tell them Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!

Additional Information for Betel Box Backpackers Hostel

200 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427471
Ph: (65) 6274 7340
Website: www.betelbox.com

Book your stay at Betel Box Backpackers now with Booking.com

Accommodation ranges from SGD$20.00 – $80.00 and includes:

  • Continental Breakfast selection of fruits, toasts, jams / spreads and tea / coffee
  • Professionally sanitized thick and firm mattresses
  • Hot and Cold Showers
  • Use of bed linen and blanket
  • Use of a security locker and lock
  • Free usage of our Internet Terminals
  • Free 24 Hours WiFi with our 100mbps cable internet connection
  • Discounted scheduled tours and attraction tickets
  • Free use of Fitness Centre Facilities
  • 50% discount for children age 12 & below
     *Post contains affiliated links