Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Squeezed to join the crowd at the newly opened Marina Bay Sands, Singapore over the weekends. The Sands was opened on April 27, 2010 Tuesday at the fengshui auspicious time of 15:18 hrs. Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon G. Adelson and other company officials had flown in and officiated the opening of the Marina Bay Sands, the most ambitious and architecturally-stunning leisure and convention facility ever built.  Enthusiastic guests and excited gamblers spilt all over the new hotel and convention centre when the celebratory ribbon was cut.

Marina Bay Sands will open progressively over the course of the year, with the first phase including 963 hotel rooms, parts of the shopping mall and convention center, some restaurants and bars, the Event Plaza along Marina Bay, and the casino. On June 23, during the official grand opening celebration, the remainder of the property’s 2,560 guest rooms, more shops from the world’s leading retailers, additional dining options, and exciting nightlife offerings, will open. The Sands SkyPark, which sits 60 stories off the ground and is perched atop the property’s three hotel towers, will also debut on June 23.

The hotel had received rave comments about the place and its service as a whole that day. Despite a recent hiccup over electricity being cut off at one of the meetings, I thought I still need to see it for myself.
 

The building is indeed a beauty by itself. And architecturally challenging I believe too. Within the hotel itself, there are public art collection and artefacts beautifully decorating its interior. The ambience is really nice but I think the place is not fully ready yet as there were still minor renovation works with signs here and there around the hotel and convention centre which does not appear too sightly. There are quite a few storeys of shopping at the mall. Quite of the shops in the mall were not opened yet but I believe it will be a pleasing shopping experience when they are all fully opened. 

 

 

On the third floor of the shopping mall, walking outside of the mall at one point, we had a real nice night view of the Singapore River. It was an amazing view! I dont think anywhere else in Singapore can we find this view. Its really beautiful!

 

My impression of the place was definitely one of praise. There were nice restaurants, pubs and even thoughtful small local delight cafes lining the mall for those who do not want to dig into their pockets. Though I did not step into the Casino yet that evening, I could already feel all the excitement building up at the Sands.

 

When its fully open, I shall visit this place again. I understand there will be a floating canal in the mall too and I look forward to visit the Sands living up to its expectations to become the leading business, leisure and entertainment destination in Asia. Some info on the Casino to share: 

CASINO ENTRY LEVY*

*Casino entry levy is payable only by Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Foreigners should carry a valid passport. Casino patrons must be 21 years old or above. Other rules and regulations apply. Levy can be paid online from Tuesday 27th April, at AXS machines or at on-site kiosks.

HOW TO GET THERE

TO SINGAPORE

By Air from Changi Airport

Marina Bay Sands Airport Shuttle Bus* (24-hr service from all terminals), or Taxi.

By Coach from Malaysia

Our coach partners include Compass Coaches, First Coach, Gunung Raya, Luxury Tours and Travel, and Super Nice Express. (Click here for more information)

WITHIN SINGAPORE

Public transport is recommended as parking may be limited during peak hours. Costs about $8 per hour for parking. For detailed information on Transportation click here

TAXI

Take taxi to one of the four designated drop-off points at Marina Bay Sands.

PUBLIC BUS

Take bus number 97, 97e, 106, 133, 502 or 518.

MRT

NORTH SOUTH LINE – Exit at Marina Bay MRT Station and board the public bus* outside the station.

NORTH SOUTH LINE - Exit at Raffles Place MRT Station and board the public bus (SBS 97) at the bus stop opposite Oglivy Centre along Robinson Road or at the bus stop in front of The Sail along Marina Boulevard

CIRCLE LINE – Exit at Promenade MRT Station and take a 10-minute walk to Bayfront Avenue or board the public bus* outside the station on Temasek Avenue

Marina Bay Sands is located at 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018970. 

Resorts World Sentosa

Gong xi fa cai! Strawberry Moments wishes everyone a Happy Lunar New Year of the Tiger and a prosperous and fulfilling year 2010 ahead!

2010 was a roaring start for us! Ted and me headed to the much anticipated new attraction at Sentosa Integrated Resort (IR) - the Resorts World (owned by Genting Singapore Public Limited Company (PLCHoldings Ltd) ) on 17 February 2010 and to visit the Casino which was newly opened on 14 February 2010 (First Day of the Lunar New Year). We had to take a look at the latest hype and to also visit the new 4 Resorts World Hotels, the shopping galleries and the much awaited "Universal Studio Singapore"!

It was a smooth ride into the Sentosa island. Surprisingly, there were no island entrance charges, as we all Singaporeans expected when we drove in to the island. We found out later that if you were to visit the Resorts World and follow the track in, there are no entrance charges. But if you drive in to Sentosa on the other path, there will be $7 island entrance charges though. 

In we went, and we were met with a huge carpark. It was as if we were going to the checkpoints to visit Malaysia. Very interesting. The helpful guards gave us useful directions that if we were to visit the hotels and to see the Resorts World / Casino, we can park at the end of the East Carpark.  If we were to visit Hard Rock Hotel, we can head for the West Carpark instead. (Daily max carpark charges is only $20) We finally were able to find carpark lots at the Green Zone after making about 3 rounds around the huge carpark. There was really a huge crowd that day! We then walked in to the basement of the Resorts World and we were greeted with the MGM and Casino.  

Crockfords Tower

We strolled the entire Resorts World, splurging money at the souvenir shops, shopping galleries beside the Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel.

As the Preview Universal Studio tickets at $10 were all snapped up for this Lunar New Year festive period, we were unable to get in to the Studio. We were able to see the entrance and could only envy those who can go in. Instead, we hung around and indulged in the delicious Hershey's Chocolate World. I found my long-lost heavenly Reese buttercup chocolates at the Chocolate World and I couldnt stop eating away! Yummy.   

After, we finally headed to the highlight of the evening - the CASINO! Singaporeans had to pay a $100 Casino Entrance Levy (for an unlimited 24 hour visit) to get in the Casino. Despite that, it was no deterrent for the many curious Singaporeans. We were one of them too! Passing through a train of semi-circular hoops, we had to show our NRIC for registration and to pay our levy.

Many security guards were stationed outside the Casino. There were 2 paths, one for Singaporeans and the other for overseas visitors. Singaporeans had to scan their NRIC to go in and we have 24 hours to the Casino. No photos allowed so I wont be able to share what I see there. Jackpot machines and many gaming tables lined the Casino. For hungry guests like me, there are 3 eateries, a cafe, bar, lounge, Japanese restaurant and also a foodcourt, much to my delight! (For Casino dining, please refer to Resorts World dining here)

Most of our time was spent standing around the tables and looking at people play as the place was just too crowded. It was quite fun observing the games though! We tried our luck at the Blackjack table (at minimum $10 per game) and Lady Luck was shining at us! We won a few games and left the Casino with some good money but still unable to cope back our Levy though ... Jackpot machines were simply impossible for you to touch as there were long queues and all the people seem stuck to their chairs (at 5 cents per games, it is no wonder!) Many gamblers were practically shouting away in the Casino with the excitement getting thicker into the night! It was a fun experience overall. Entertainment of a different sort in Singapore now. That said, its provided you know your limit and where to stop.

Resorts World is at Sentosa Integrated Resort, 39 Artillery Avenue, Sentosa, Singapore 099958 Tel: +65 6577 8888.