Marina Bay Sands: Fun Facts About Singapore’s Most Famous Hotel
When you think of Singapore, one of the first things that comes to mind is Marina Bay Sands. This iconic building looks like a giant spaceship or a surfboard sitting on three tall towers. It’s one of the most famous landmarks in the city, and as a visitor, I was blown away by how massive and unique it looks.
I stood there, staring up at this architectural wonder, wondering how did they even build this? As I explored more, I learned some amazing facts about Marina Bay Sands that I have to share with you!
1. It’s One of the Most Expensive Hotels Ever Built
Marina Bay Sands is not just a hotel. I choose to call it a luxury destination that has everything you can imagine. But did you know that building it cost a massive $5.7 billion USD? That’s one of the highest construction costs for a hotel in the world! It’s not just expensive because of its size, but also because of the high-end features it offers.
For that price, Marina Bay Sands includes:
- A huge casino that makes more money than all the casinos in Las Vegas combined.
- A shopping mall with a river inside where you can take a boat ride.
- An observation deck with one of the best views of Singapore.
Honestly, just looking at it, you can tell it’s worth every dollar!
2. The SkyPark on Top is Longer Than the Eiffel Tower
One of the coolest things about Marina Bay Sands is the SkyPark, which is that giant platform sitting on top of the three towers. It’s not just for show since it actually has the world’s longest infinity pool, restaurants, and an observation deck.
But here’s a crazy fact. The SkyPark is longer than the Eiffel Tower laid down! It stretches 340 meters (1,115 feet) across the three towers. Standing underneath it, I couldn’t believe how massive it was. It’s so long that part of it hangs over the edge, making it look like it’s floating in mid-air.
3. It Has the World’s Largest Infinity Pool
If you’ve ever seen a photo of Marina Bay Sands, you’ve probably seen people relaxing in the infinity pool. This pool is the largest rooftop infinity pool in the world, stretching 150 meters (490 feet) long. It sits 57 stories above the ground, giving swimmers an unbelievable view of the Singapore skyline.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t jump in because the pool is only for hotel guests. But I went up to the observation deck, and even just looking at it was amazing.
If you ever stay at Marina Bay Sands, swimming in that pool should be at the top of your list!
4. The Design Was Inspired by a Deck of Cards
I knew this building looked special, but I didn’t realize that its design had a deeper meaning. The architect, Moshe Safdie, was inspired by a deck of cards when creating Marina Bay Sands.
Why a deck of cards? Because Singapore is a city that values luck, business, and prosperity, and a deck of cards is often linked to wealth and fortune. Looking at the three towers now, I can definitely see how they look like playing cards standing up!
5. It Was Almost Too Heavy to Build
Marina Bay Sands stands on land that was reclaimed from the sea. That means this area used to be water before Singapore expanded the land to build on it. But here’s the problem. Marina Bay Sands is so big and heavy that the ground couldn’t support it at first. Engineers had to drill deep into the ground and place thousands of support pillars just to keep the building from sinking.
It’s crazy to think about, but thanks to this, Marina Bay Sands now stands strong and tall over Singapore!
6. The Casino Makes More Money Than Las Vegas
Inside Marina Bay Sands is one of the biggest and most profitable casinos in the world. Even though Singapore currently only has two casinos, Marina Bay Sands makes more money than all the casinos in Las Vegas combined. That’s how popular and successful it is!
But here’s the interesting part… Singaporeans have to pay a fee to enter the casino. This is because the government wants to discourage locals from gambling too much. As if the time of writing this article, they charge $150 SGD ($110 USD) per entry. Tourists, however, can enter for free!
7. It Has an Indoor Waterfall and a Floating Crystal Pavilion
When I stepped inside Marina Bay Sands, I wasn’t just amazed by the luxury shops and restaurants… I was shocked to see an indoor waterfall and a river running through the mall! This shopping mall is one of the few in the world where you can take a boat ride inside. The small boats look like Venetian gondolas, and they take you around the lower level of the mall.
Also, just outside Marina Bay Sands, there is a floating glass pavilion. It looks like a futuristic spaceship sitting on the water and is home to a high-end Louis Vuitton store.
8. Marina Bay Sands Lights Up the Sky Every Night
One of the best things about Marina Bay Sands is its spectacular light and water show. Every night, the building puts on a light and laser show, with beams of colorful lights shining over Marina Bay. The show includes music, dancing fountains, and laser projections on water.
The best part? It’s completely free to watch! I stood by the water at Marina Bay and watched in awe as the whole place lit up. It’s definitely a must-see when visiting Singapore.
9. It Was Featured in the Movie “Crazy Rich Asians”
If you’ve seen the movie Crazy Rich Asians, you might recognize Marina Bay Sands. The famous wedding scene at the end of the movie was filmed right here, in the SkyPark.
The movie helped make Marina Bay Sands even more famous worldwide, and now, many tourists come here just to take photos in the same spots seen in the film.
Final Thoughts
Marina Bay Sands is more than just a hotel. I see it as a symbol of Singapore’s success, innovation, and luxury. From the infinity pool to the casino, the light shows to the shopping mall, this place has something for everyone. As a visitor, I was amazed by how grand and futuristic it looked and I highly recommend it as a must-see landmark in Singapore.
