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Marina Bay

Singapore

The waterfront around the bay, with Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion and the Esplanade, and the financial district next door.

Best for First visit · Upscale · Business

Transport
5/5
Sights
5/5
Value
2/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$345/night · 5 min to Raffles Place

See hotels in Marina Bay

Marina Bay on the map

Why stay here

  • Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion and the skyline on your doorstep
  • Hotel pools with famous views
  • Several MRT lines and the financial district close by

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Luxury stays and special occasions
  • Business travellers

Not ideal if…

  • You're on a budget
  • You want local hawker centres and shophouses outside the door
  • You want a lived-in neighbourhood

What it's like

Marina Bay is the Singapore of postcards: the three towers and rooftop SkyPark of Marina Bay Sands, the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion spouting by the water and the spiky domes of the Esplanade. A walking loop around the bay links them all, with free light shows every evening.

It's the most spectacular place to stay and has the city's biggest hotels, many with pools looking over the skyline. It's also the most expensive, and outside the malls and hotel restaurants it feels more like a showcase than a neighbourhood. The financial district on the west side empties at weekends.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Bayfront

    Marina Bay Sands, its mall and the bridge to Gardens by the Bay.

  • Marina Centre

    Hotels and malls around the Esplanade and the Singapore Flyer.

  • Collyer Quay

    Waterfront of the financial district, by the Merlion.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Bayfront, Promenade, Esplanade, Downtown and Raffles Place MRT stations, and a flat walking loop around the bay.
To Raffles Place
About 5 minutes
From Changi Airport
About 40 minutes: MRT to Expo, then the Downtown Line to Bayfront; a taxi takes about 20 minutes.

Nearby attractions

  • Gardens by the Bay

    Supertree Grove, the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome; free light show at night.

  • Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

    Observation deck on top of the towers; the pool is for hotel guests only.

  • Merlion Park

    Singapore's symbol, facing the bay and the skyline.

  • Spectra light and water show

    Free nightly show on the bay outside Marina Bay Sands.

Where to eat and drink

  • Makansutra Gluttons Bay

    Hawker stalls by the Esplanade with views of the bay.

  • Rooftop bars

    Cocktails high above the bay at the big hotels.

  • Lau Pa Sat

    Victorian market hall of hawker stalls in the financial district; satay street at night.

Where to stay in Marina Bay

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Marina Bay Sands

Why we like it: The three towers with the rooftop infinity pool.

Typical luxury rate in Marina Bay: ~$845/night

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Luxury pick

The Fullerton Bay Hotel

Why we like it: Waterfront hotel with a rooftop pool facing Marina Bay Sands.

Typical luxury rate in Marina Bay: ~$845/night

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Luxury pick

Pan Pacific Singapore

Why we like it: Large hotel at Marina Centre, linked to the malls.

Typical luxury rate in Marina Bay: ~$845/night

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Hotels in Marina BayMid-range from ~$345/night

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