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Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Foodie Extraordinaire
MBS Singapore 2023 Review
This is my recap of an incredible staycation at the exquisite Marina Bay Sands. I took my Wife for her birthday and scored maximum Brownie points for the rest of the year. It was just exceptional, including so much fun wining and dining up the top at the MBS Observation Deck.
The breathtaking Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is an architectural wonder that has evolved into a symbol of the city’s progression toward modernity and its growing riches. This famous and absolutely Singaporean iconic hotel and entertainment complex can be found in the middle of the downtown region of Singapore. It is home to a range of dining and nightlife options, in addition to a casino and a luxury retail mall.
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Table of Contents of MBS Singapore 2023 Review
An infinity pool can be found on the hotel’s rooftop, and it is often considered to be one of the most appealing aspects of the Marina Bay Sands. This magnificent pool features incredible views of the city skyline and is the ideal location for a revitalizing swim or a calming afternoon of sunbathing thanks to its prime location. You will either need to be a registered guest at the hotel in order to use the pool.
Also up the top is the infamous MBS Observation Deck, offering virtually 360-degree views of the breathtaking city skyline, Gardens by the Bay, and the South China Sea.
In addition to the swimming pool, Marina Bay Sands provides guests with a wide selection of Marina Bay Sands restaurants from which to pick. There is a wide range of dining options available, from upscale restaurants serving cuisine from around the world to laid-back cafes and food booths serving delicacies from the region, so there is something to suit every taste and every budget.
Go to the casino at Marina Bay Sands if you are seeking some action and excitement, with an element of Lady Luck and risk. There is a great deal of excitement to be found there. There are more than 500 table games and thousands of slot machines together. Because the casino is open around the clock, you can test your luck whenever you like, day or night.
Worth noting that if you are a local or PR that there is a $100 cover charge. However, if you are a foreigner to Singapore, that charge is waived.
In addition to gambling establishments and copious amounts of dining venues, like the iconic Ce La Vi, the Marina Bay Sands entertainment complex also contains a high-end shopping mall that is home to more than 300 different stores. Known as Marina Bay Sands The Shoppes.
Worth noting these are pretty much all high-end brands with your Gucci’s, Prada’s, and so on, don’t be expecting Gap or Cotton On.
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is a location that should not be missed by any tourist that is in The Lion city. I know it’s just a hotel, but Marina Bay Sands is a hotel with so much more. It really is a must-visit because of its WOW factor, you can’t ignore that when you look at a picture of it. This world-famous entertainment complex offers something for everyone, whether it’s a rejuvenating session of retail therapy (careful with that credit card), a thrilling night of gaming, some fine dining with a celebrity chef, or a stay in one of the hotel’s opulent rooms.
But make sure you spend some of your hard-earned cash having a few beers and cocktails over exquisite food, whilst soaking up the scenery and listening to ambient tunes up the MBS Observation Deck.
What is special about Marina Bay Sands?
Marina Bay Sands is a luxury resort and casino complex in Singapore that is known for its iconic design and impressive amenities. Some of the standout features of Marina Bay Sands include:
- The SkyPark: This large rooftop garden and MBS Observation Deck are located on top of the hotel’s three towers and offer panoramic views of the city. The SkyPark is home to several dining and entertainment options, as well as the infamous infinity pool.
- Ce La Vi is also up here. Stunning food accompanies the stunning views. Copious amounts of cocktails and ambient tunes waft as do the light breezes.
- The Casino: Marina Bay Sands is home to one of the largest casinos in Asia, with over 500 table games and 2,000 slot machines.
- The Shopping Mall: The hotel is connected to the large and luxurious The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands shopping mall, which offers a wide range of high-end retail and dining options.
- The ArtScience Museum: This unique museum is located within the hotel and features interactive exhibits on science, art, and technology.
- The Hotel: The hotel itself is an architectural marvel, with three towers connected by a sky bridge that features a rooftop infinity pool and observation deck. The rooms and suites at Marina Bay Sands are luxurious and spacious, with stunning views of the city. Rumoured that the design is based on three packs of cards being shuffled, and a boat atop to signify the days when Singaporeans had to take a ferry to Indonesia to gamble.
Marina Bay Sands Dining
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore is home to a diverse selection of dining establishments, which makes it the ideal location for gastronomes who are traveling to the city. This well-known complex offers a variety of dining options that cater to a wide range of preferences and price points, from upscale eateries and celebrity chef restaurants serving cuisine from across the world to laid-back cafes and food stands selling regional specialties.
Go to the Food Street located on the basement level of the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands if you are searching for a dining experience that is less formal. This lively food court is designed in the style of a bustling street market, and it features a variety of stalls that serve Singaporean, South East Asian, and international cuisine. Some of the local specialties on offer include Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and other options, such as Mexican and Italian.
There are several high-end restaurants located within the complex, and restaurants with outdoor drinking, including Wolfgang Puck’s Cut, a contemporary steakhouse offering prime cuts of meat and seafood, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago up the top of Marina Bays Sands Skypark for incredible international dining, which is next door to the superb Italian restaurant Lavo (look out for the best octopus dish in Singapore on the menu).
Chef Gordon Ramsay has Breadstreet Kitchen for incredible Western fare (you must try the iconic Beef Wellington), DB Bistro by Chef Daniel Boulud for wonderful French cuisine, and Waku Ghin, a two-Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant by Chef Tetsuya Wakuda. If you are looking for a more upscale dining experience, you can choose these or from a number of other fine-dining restaurants at Marina Bay Sands.
In addition to these culinary establishments, Marina Bay Sands is home to a number of pubs and nightclubs, and restaurants with outdoor drinking making it the ideal place to spend a night on the town. There is something available to satisfy everyone’s preferences and budget, from swanky rooftop bars, such as Ce La Vi, with breathtaking views of the city skyline to buzzing nightclubs with live music and DJs playing all night long up at the MBS Observation Deck.
In general, Marina Bay Sands is a location for dining, and for choosing restaurants with outdoor drinking that should not be skipped by everyone who is in the area of Singapore. You won’t have any trouble finding anything that satisfies both your preferences and your financial constraints thanks to the extensive range of choices available to you.
For a comprehensive list of all restaurants in Marina Bay Sands, read our Marina Bay Sands Dining Directory 2023.
Marina Bay Sands The Shoppes
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is home to a luxurious shopping mall known as The Shoppes, which is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a bit of retail therapy, or free aircon during their trip to the Lion city. With over 300 retail outlets featuring pretty much every high-end designer, for me and my family, it is a tad window-shopping paradise. But you have to mention The Shoppes in any MBS Singapore 2023 Review.
One of the standout features of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is the wide variety of international brands that are represented here. From luxury fashion houses like Prada and Gucci to sportswear giants like Nike and Adidas, there’s something for everyone.
Overall, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Singapore. Remember it is top-end-of-town luxury fashion, at $$$, but hey it’s free air-con.
Our MBS StayCation and MBS Singapore 2023 Review
This MBS Staycation Review started as all about Wifey’s Birthday celebrations. But this place needs a more ‘solid’ call out because it is just ‘that good’. Located across the street from Marina Bay Financial Centre, this 5* upscale hotel is about a mile-ish from Gardens by the Bay and 18 miles from Singapore Changi Airport.
Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars are standard in the well-appointed rooms, which also have sitting spaces overlooking their floor-to-ceiling windows, and balconies. Rooms with city or sea views can be upgraded, including balconies for ‘garden facing’ rooms (this is what Marina Bay Sands Hotel did for us, because of the birthday – a wee upgrade from Bay View to Garden View).
As well as food and drink establishments, there are also meeting rooms, a casino, a museum to enjoy, a rooftop infinity pool, a spa, a gym, and MBS Observation Deck. We trended towards the pool, food and drink to be blatantly honest. The food is incredible at the multitude of restaurants and the best, in my humble opinion, are those at the top of Marina Bay Sands Hotel with incredible views, cum night or day.
What is a StayCation?
During the nastiest parts of Covid, I think a great deal of us would have opted for a StayCation to break the monotony and avoid going absolutely mad, stranded in one city. Or, as we were one small city-state country. A StayCation is a vacation in which one does not travel to a distant location but rather stays in one’s own city or town is known as a “staycation.” People who want to take a break from their daily routine but don’t have the time or finances to travel far from home frequently opt to stay at a home location for their vacation instead of going somewhere else.
StayCations usually consist of staying at a local hotel or Air BnB, but they can also consist of nothing more than taking a few days off work to unwind at home. For their StayCation, some people like to schedule activities and outings, such as traveling to the museums or galleries in the area, trying out new eateries, or going on exciting outdoor excursions. Others simply choose to unwind and relax at home or in their neighbourhood community during their time off.
There are a number of positive aspects associated with enjoying a vacation at home I find with the family. To begin, you may not require the need to pay for flights or any other forms of transportation charges, which means that they may be more cost-effective than flying to a distant location, or even a short location these post-Covid days. I am literally just doing this for Chinese New Year 2023.
StayCations can also be more convenient because they eliminate the need to worry about packing and the stress associated with going to a new destination. StayCations are also an excellent method to become acquainted with or reacquaint oneself with the splendor and attractions of one’s own city or town. There is so much to see in Singapore, perhaps we forget that.
Check to have a look at EIGHTY EIGHT amazing things to do in Singapore.
MBS Singapore 2023 Review - Rooms & Views
As I mentioned, we were very fortunate that Marina Bays Sands upgraded the room for Wifey’s birthday. She here we are on the balcony of our Garden View Room. Come on that is some WOW right there for a staycation. Wait until you see it at night from multiple vantage points, as we hardly left the top floor.
Here are some quite incredible panoramic views from our room. It truly is stunning from up here with the Gardens view. What a start to the staycation, literally 5 minutes in.
The bedroom has a massive bathroom (Wifey is clearly working out what she can slip in her suitcase as a freebie, for the array of shampoos and such on offer), and that is one huge King-Sized bed. I am truly loving Marina Bay Sand Hotel so far, and it is not even my birthday.
Please, let me introduce my MBS Staycation Review model. This is Wifey, showing off the incredible room before we go upstairs for some lunch on the top of the world. This room and views are truly so beautiful.
Have a look at our little Vlog of the amazing experience here - MBS Singapore 2023 Review
MBS Staycation Review of the Infinity Pool Area
Now we are up the top where the infinity pool is, including MBS Observation Deck, The Sky Park, Ce La Vi, Spago, and Lavo. Seriously, if you do a Marina Bay Sands StayCation you really do not need to leave the building. There is so much to do, see, eat and drink. It is an integrated resort on steroids. Thank you wallet, and thank you Marina Bay Sands and crew, you really did make this a very special Birthday for my Wifey today.
Here is my Wifey progressing in her modeling career up the top of Marina Bays Sands. Yes, the infinity pool is open, and she is doing model shots and even a jacuzzi pose or two. Just to call out that the jacuzzi was so hot you could have boiled potatoes in it. I kid you not…
Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool
Finally, after 15 years of living here, we get to go to the infamous Marina Bay Sands infinity pool. Even my brother from the UK has been here before us. No, you cannot use this pool unless you are staying at the hotel, and you need to know that. If you look at our photos you’ll see it was a moody day and that meant not a lot of sunshine to warm the pool and it was FREEZING!!!
But this kind of humbles you, in that they use the cold water to flush through the building, therein reducing the need for aircon and making it all nice and ‘green’.
OK, I really do like that, but still maybe not enough for me to like having my testicles up in my throat. So cold I think I spotted an Atlantic Cod swim past me. But, for that view, it is well worth it. It is absolutely unique. 3 separate pools and even a kid’s pool. Then those Jacuzzis and the MBS Observation Deck.
Hey, that is all on the FIFTY-SEVENTH FLOOR 0f a building… It is an incredible piece of engineering. And again, it is WOW!!!
MBS Staycation Review of the Restaurants and Bars
I could not do an MBS Singapore 2023 Review without some insight into the food and booze on offer.
I did a separate blog of restaurant reviews for the food as it seriously does warrant a call out as it was so good.
We seemed to gravitate to the Spago restaurants x2 and had lunch/drinks & dinner there on the 1st day and breakfast on the second day. But then you also have Lavo. Both are top-end of town restaurants with outdoor drinking, and not just outdoor but top of the world.
Spago Singapore is sort of split into two, one more fine dining than the other more casual bistro neighbour. We did have such a lovely lunch and superb dinner during our stay up the top of Marina Bay Sands.
So we do big up Wolfgang Puck and his crew in our Wolfgang Puck Spago blog review.
From Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Beverly Hills restaurant, Spago MBS is the first foreign spinoff, and it provides an inventive and fresh menu of Californian cuisine with global accents. The restaurant is located at the top of Marina Bay Sands’ Sands SkyPark, which overlooks the iconic Infinity Pool and the city’s cityscape. It was legendary, It really was.
We also went to Lavo MBS after dinner for some late-night drinks and to see the twinkling city lights, and the light sof Gardens by the Bay at night. That was breathtaking it has to be said. This is one of the top restaurants with a view Singapore and absolutely one of the best rooftop bars Singapore I have ever had the chance of indulging in. We went back here for Strawberry Blonde’s birthday dinner, and even booked it for friends visiting Singapore.
Lavo is also revered in our family as having the best octopus dish in Singapore, as judged by Wifey. That’s a big accolade.
Sadly, we missed Sunset drinks @ Lavo Singapore due to the time slot given to us for the MBS infinity pool. When we last stayed it was still heavy on Covid regulations, and there were only so many people allowed at once in the infinity pool. That, as of January 2023, is all relaxed and back to normal. But, we’ll be back in 2023, and we’ll be exploring more of Marina Bay Sands restaurants with outdoor drinking.
We have also dined before outside the direct hotel, in the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, or The Shoppes as they coin it. We have eaten at Bread Street Kitchen and eaten the best Beef Wellington Singapore, you’ll see three reviews of CeLaVi menu from our visits to Sky High Hawker and other amazing dining experiences.
I did try to book Cut by Wolfgang Puck for our MBS Staycation but had no luck with the availability. Fortunately, though, I did get the chance to visit for a work function and did eat one of his incredible steaks.
Our delicious Birthday dinner at Spago was seriously so very good and even included a little Birthday dessert.
Then onto the incredibly twinkly lights of the Singapore city skyline for the last drink before bedtime at Lavo’s.
The day was finished with a wobbly walk back to the room for a lovely sleep in that awesome bed, and one final snap of Gardens by the Bay from the balcony.
MBS Singapore 2023 Review Conclusions
It’s up there on the $$$ frontage, but worth every single cent from my perspective. Wifey felt like she was a Queen for a day and that’s what mattered to me because this became a birthday present for her to remember for all time. She truly was so very happy. It is just class. So much so that we felt so guilty after our day and night that we invited our kids to join us for a superb breakfast as Spago on the SkyPark the next day.
We got to enjoy MBS Infinity Pool, Spago Singapore, MBS Observation Deck, and Lavo MBS probably two of the best rooftop bars and rooftop restaurants in Singapore. We were upgraded to an incredible garden-view bedroom with a balcony, so we truly did feel like VIPs for a day and night and I loved that for my Wifey.
Do it. Marina Bay Sands Staycation. It is up there with the absolute best things to do in Singapore. Just class it as a special treat time, on an occasion or just to blow some cash on much-needed down time.
What is the Address & Telephone Number for Marina Bay Sands?
Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Read reviews of our MBS restaurants and Marina Bay Sands dining experiences;
Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay
Located in The Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, this is named after Chef Ramsay’s London restaurant of the same name. Bread Street Kitchen, owned and operated by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, is a bustling eatery. Bread Street is the name of the street on which the restaurant is situated in London, and it offers a cuisine that is a fusion of contemporary British and European fare.
The inside of the restaurant is styled to evoke the ambience of a contemporary interpretation of a classic English pub, complete with brick walls, wooden beams, and a laid-back and unpretentious vibe. At Bread Street Kitchen Marina Bay Sands, some of the most well-liked items on the menu are the slow-roasted pork belly, the fish and chips, the substantial lamb shank, and the iconic Beef Wellington. In addition, the eatery provides a comprehensive wine list that includes an array of reds, whites, and sparkling wines from all around the world.
Bread Street Kitchen features not only a large dining area over two floors of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, but also a bustling bar section where guests can enjoy a drink and some lighter fare in addition to the main dining area. The bar serves a variety of alcoholic beverages, including craft beers and cocktails, in addition to a selection of savoury bar snacks, such as chicken wings and sliders.
Overall, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen is a well-liked place for both locals and tourists alike since it provides a menu that is both delectable and extensive while maintaining an atmosphere that is unpretentious and laid-back. But, make sure you book. This place is super-busy, especially at weekends.
DB Bistro Moderne
Daniel Boulud, a world-famous chef, is the proprietor of the popular restaurant DB Bistro Moderne, which can be found in the middle of New York City, and also The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. The restaurant delivers contemporary French cuisine.
The DB Burger is DB Bistro Moderne’s most famous offering; it is created with braised short ribs, foie gras, and black truffles, and it is served on a parmesan bun. I have eaten this and it is off-the-charts good. The DB Burger is the restaurant’s namesake dish. The pan-roasted lobster, the seared duck breast, and the lamb shank are also three of the most popular items on the menu.
The restaurant features a clean and contemporary interior design, complete with marble counters, an open kitchen, and a bustling environment. At DB Bistro Moderne, in addition to the main dining space, there is also a bar section where customers may have a drink and some lighter nibbles, like a freshly shucked oyster. The bar serves a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beers and cocktails. A must-try is the DB Bistro Bloody Mary, man alive this is one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had, and it is massive.
In general, DB Bistro Moderne is a well-liked venue among both Singaporean natives and international visitors to Singapore since it provides delectable and varied food inside an upscale and contemporary atmosphere. It is highly recommended that you make a reservation at this restaurant in Marina Bay Sands if you are a lover of French cuisine and are searching for a sophisticated dining experience and want to avoid disappointment.
Ce La Vi
Sky High Hawker Part One
Sky Hawker Part Two
Sky High Hawker Gourmet
Our blogs will give you a fascinating series of events at Ce La Vi showing off a plethora of Singaporean hawkers, called Marina Bay Sands Sky High Hawker. But normally, Ce La Vi would be what you need if you’re looking for an unforgettable night out in Singapore, at Marina Bay Sands. Located on the rooftop of the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, this sophisticated bar and restaurant offer breath-taking views of the city skyline and the marina.
As soon as you step out of the elevator, you’ll be greeted by a chic and modern atmosphere, with floor-to-ceiling windows, and an outside seating area offering panoramic views of the city, the Barrage, and the Marina. The interior design is sleek and stylish, with a mix of plush seating areas and intimate tables for two.
The menu at Ce La Vi is a fusion of Asian and Western flavours, with a focus on small plates and tapas-style dishes. Standouts include the spicy tuna tartare, crispy soft-shell crab, and truffle fries. For something a little more substantial, the wagyu beef sliders and the lobster roll are both excellent choices.
The drink menu is equally impressive, with a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and champagnes. The mixologists at Ce La Vi are always experimenting with new and innovative concoctions, so be sure to try one of their signature cocktails. If you’re feeling adventurous, the “Flying Dragon” is a must-try – a blend of sake, vodka, and dragon fruit, served in a smoking glass dome.
But the real draw of Ce La Vi is the rooftop setting. As the sun sets, the lights of the city start to twinkle, creating a romantic and magical atmosphere. As the night wears on, the music picks up with an in-house DJ, and the crowd gets livelier, making it the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a special date.
Overall, Ce La Vi at Marina Bay Sands is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a sophisticated and unforgettable night out in Singapore. The views, the food, and the drinks are all top-notch, making it the perfect spot to kick back, relax, and take in the beauty of the city.
