We have already reviewed the best 5 star luxury hotels in Singapore. In this review, we compare the best luxury hotel in Marina Bay. Marina Bay Sands vs. The Fullerton vs. Fullerton Bay vs. Raffles vs. Ritz-Carlton vs. Pan Pacific vs. Mandarin Oriental.
Singapore, the gateway to Southeast Asia, is an intriguing country created by deeply passionate people following their dreams and aspirations. It’s a place that serves as a canvas for its people’s wildest imagination, where new experiences are created every day, and where foodies, explorers, collectors, action seekers, culture shapers, and socializers meet.
Marina Bay is a bay located in the Central Area of Singapore, surrounded by the perimeter of four other planning areas, the Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South, and Straits View. The area surrounding the bay itself, also called Marina Bay, is a 360-hectare extension to the adjacent Central Business District.
Raffles is our top choice. It has bags of history and heritage, and since the refurbishment, it has become an even more special hotel. The rooms are modern yet elegant. The service is excellent. It feels more peaceful than it used to. Raffles staff are pretty good at keeping day tourists out of the actual hotel guest areas but do bear in mind that there are many people wandering around everywhere else (the same goes for the Fullerton hotels).
The Fullerton Bay is by far the second-best hotel of the seven luxury hotels in Marina Bay. From the minute you arrive, you feel welcomed by their personalized service and friendly staff. The level of luxury is superb, and because it is the smallest of the three, it feels more like a luxury boutique hotel in Singapore. Fullerton Bay public spaces are beautifully designed, but it does attract passing tourists gawking and exploring the communal areas.
The Fullerton is in our number three spot and is packed with heritage and charm, much like Raffles. This is also a great choice with one of the best club lounges in Singapore, that is free if you book your room with our luxury travel concierge.
The Fullerton is larger than the Fullerton Bay. Both Fullerton hotels are just a 5-10 minutes walk away from Raffles Place, an MRT interchange that gives you an MRT connection to Orchard, Airport line, or Chinatown and Little India (via another line at another station). In the evening, there’s lots of food and activity at Boat Quay, which is next to Fullerton. You can also walk to Chinatown or take a boat ride down the Singapore River to Clarke Quay, Esplanade, or Marina Square from here.
The Ritz-Carlton is one of your few Marriott Bonvoy luxury hotel choices (you can also go for the St Regis), but public spaces are frequently overrun by conference guests and tour groups.
The Pan Pacific has decent views and is a fairly decent hotel, whereas the Mandarin Oriental is currently showing its age, and it is dark and dated in the foyer and other shared areas.
In the last place is the iconic Marina Bay Sands. It is an amazing structure but doesn’t offer true luxury. It is often cheaper than the other hotels reviewed below, but it does offer a club lounge and unlimited Instagramable photo opportunities, so if you want to show off to your friends at home, this is the one to pick!
- Best For Luxury: Raffles
- Best For Instagram Photos: Marina Bay Sands
- Best Rooms: Raffles
- Best For Views: Marina Bay Sands Hotel
- Best Rooftop Pool: Marina Bay Sands Hotel
- Most Exclusive: Raffles & Fullerton Bay
- Best breakfast: All except Marina Bay
- Best Restaurants For Fine Dining: Raffles
- Best For Location: All are on Marina Bay
- Best For Poolside Luxury: Raffles
- Most Classy & Exclusive: Raffles
- Best Bar: Raffles in its world-famous bar or Fullerton Bay
- Most History and Heritage: Raffles & The Fullerton
- Best Club Lounge: The Fullerton
- Queues At check-in: Marina Bay Sands Hotel (feels like an airport check-in, even in the VIP Club Lounge)
- Best For Shopping: Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which is connected to a shopping center
- Best Pool: Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Their pool wins numerous awards
Remember: You can pay to get to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel Skypark without staying there. You don’t need to stay there to experience and photograph the pool!
1. Raffles Singapore
The year was 1887 when the doors to the Raffles Singapore first opened. Since then, this luxury five-star hotel in Singapore has become an icon that epitomizes the romance of the Far East – an intoxicating blend of luxury, history, and colonial design.
Situated in the heart of the business and civic district, Raffles Singapore is a veritable oasis in the city. Its classic colonial architecture has been perfectly preserved and provides a stark but lively contrast against its modern-skyscraper neighbors.
Through the decades, liveried Sikh doormen have welcomed some of the most famous personalities, from writers to celebrities, politicians, and members of royalty, such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Today it has a resident historian who has created a series of videos featuring key moments from its past (early guests included the writers Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham, and Rudyard Kipling).
Raffles Singapore has only recently reopened for guest stays following more than two years of renovation work across its guest rooms and public spaces.
The new works were led by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud, architecture, and design firm Aedas, lighting consultants Tino Kwan and restoration and research consultants Studio Lapis.
The hotel’s suite count has increased from 103 to 115, while new categories have been added; it now offers State Room Suites, Courtyard Suites, Palm Court Suites, Personality Suites, Residence Suites, Promenade Suites, Grand Hotel Suites, and Presidential Suites.
The Raffles Arcade, a collection of shops and “lifestyle spaces”, has a new gift shop, spa, and retail brands, as well as a history gallery featuring archive pictures and stories.
The restaurant line-up now includes Mediterranean grill BBR by chef Alain Ducasse, steakhouse Butcher’s Block, three-Michelin star chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s La Dame de Pic, Chinese restaurant 兿 yì by Jereme Leung, and classic Indian restaurant Tiffin Room.
In July, the hotel reopened its famed Long Bar, a popular tourist spot thanks to its invention of the Singapore Sling and the Grand Lobby, which has a daily afternoon tea service.
Even the pool on the rooftop has been renovated, with the huge Marina Bay Sands building visible in the distance.
Some of the best rooms are the 31 suites that lead onto the Verandah. These are 58 m², and ensuite bathrooms have been redesigned with Victorian details and Peranakan tiles, a type of colorful local ceramic.
No visit to Singapore is complete without a stay at this iconic all-suite luxury Singapore hotel. Each suite features period furnishings, lofty 14-foot ceilings, and modern conveniences expected of a 21st-century hotel. Raffles butlers, legendary for their charming and graceful service, are available to fulfill requests both ordinary and extraordinary.
2. Fullerton Bay Singapore
Strategically located in the heart of Singapore’s financial, arts, and cultural districts, the Fullerton Bay Singapore is within immediate proximity to the Central Business District and key attractions such as the Merlion Park, Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Asian Civilisations Museum, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. The Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and the city’s main shopping belts of Orchard Road and Marina Bay are only minutes away.
With only 100 guestrooms and suites, the hotel’s intimate ambiance and sophisticated interiors will appeal to discerning guests. It is definitely one of the best boutique hotels in Singapore.
The spacious rooms measure from 50 square meters (538 square feet). Each room impresses with panoramic views of the Marina Bay waterfront and the vibrant Singapore skyline through full-length windows and a private balcony. Overlooking the city’s landmarks from the privacy of the guestroom, guests are treated to natural light and a sense of place. Amenities are top-notch; Bvlgari Red Tea bath amenities are one of my favorites, and there’s an in-room Nespresso machine. Sheets are fine Egyptian cotton linen.
Strategically positioned on the top three levels of the hotel, six exclusive suites offer unsurpassed views through generous floor-to-ceiling windows and two balconies. Among the six suites are five Theme Suites and a Presidential Suite. These have to be some of the best suites in town. Each of the stunning suites is adorned with bespoke artwork and antiques, signature fabrics, and decorative items that embody their individual themes alongside contemporary pieces.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel provides a variety of culinary experiences on the resplendent Marina Bay waterfront. Guests can choose to indulge in culinary treats at a chic brasserie, Clifford, which is illuminated by 10-meter high floor-to-ceiling glass windows, unwind at the sophisticated waterfront lounge, The Landing Point, luxuriate under the stars at the much-talked-about Lantern, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Marina Bay and the city skyline or the newly unveiled restaurant, The Clifford Pier.
The hotel’s stylish rooftop bar, Lantern, is recognized as one of the world’s best hotel bars by CNNGO. With bespoke outdoor vintage-inspired furniture, including romantic daybeds, Lantern presents a lush, charming tropical environment that is representative of Singapore.
The new dining destination, The Clifford Pier, preserves the Pier’s intrinsic hawker culture and honors its historical role as the landing point of Singapore’s forefathers, as well as a melting pot of diverse cultures, presenting the best of Singapore’s delicacies alongside reinterpretations of dishes from the region and Western classics.
3. Fullerton Hotel Singapore
The magnificent Fullerton Building is a grand neoclassical landmark built in 1928 that was once home to Singapore’s General Post Office, the Exchange Room and Exchange Reference Library, and the prestigious Singapore Club. Today, the Fullerton Hotel Singapore has been transformed into a stunning 400-room heritage hotel in Singapore.
Dynamically located in the heart of the financial and arts districts, the hotel successfully blends rich heritage with contemporary style and personalized service to offer guests a world-class accommodation experience. It is actually located at the mouth of the Singapore River and is a mass of grand staircases, high ceilings, and marble, super classy! This area was originally the heart of colonial Singapore. A nearby footbridge dates back as far as 1870.
This hotel is magnificent with a pillared frontage, historic dining rooms, and glorious waterfront views. The hotel is actually dwarfed by the surrounding skyscrapers but offers a nice slice of history on the waterfront.
Rooms overlook the sunlit atrium or have verandas with views of the skyline, river promenade, or Marina Bay waterfront. The rooms are extremely generous in size, as are the bathrooms, but the highlight for me here is the pool, which is infinity in design on floor two and has great views of the river and bay.
When you stay here, you are a three-minute walk from the boat quay, which offers a lively nightlife with lots of restaurants and bars. Beyond Boat Quay, other quays again offer great options for nightlife. Chinatown and Little India are also close by if you take public transport.
The hotel has an equally luxurious but different-styled sister property across the street, the 100-room Fullerton Bay Hotel, which is housed in a modern waterfront building and is ranked the number one hotel in Singapore by Tripadvisor.
The Straits Club Lounge at the Fullerton elevates your luxury stay further by offering breakfast, including champagne breakfast (Veuve Cliquot), afternoon tea, and evening drinks, and snacks all for free if you book a club room. Crucially, our luxury travel concierge can get access to this lounge included in your room booking for free.
The food at breakfast, tea, and cocktails in the evening are extensive and should fill you up. There are daily specials at each mealtime, and as you would expect from a hotel of this caliber, the food quality and the array is excellent. Although it is lovely to take advantage of these freebies, it is worth popping up to the rooftop bar to take in the views at least once during your stay.
They say: “The Straits Club offers the ultimate service experience to discerning travelers by providing premium accommodation and the highest level of quality and comfort. Guests of The Straits Club enjoy privileges that include round-the-clock personalized service, in-room registration, a complimentary daily Chandon breakfast, afternoon tea, evening canapés, and cocktails in a dedicated lounge with a vintage Peranakan décor featuring Straits Chinese artifacts. Other privileges include preferred laundry rates, pressing service for up to two clothing items, and late check-out (subject to availability). To accommodate guests’ meeting needs, a meeting room for up to six persons may be availed for two hours.”
4. Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore is centrally located along Singapore’s Marina Bay. This 608-room luxury hotel continues to be distinguished by unparalleled hospitality synonymous with The Ritz-Carlton brand. Attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, the Art Science Museum, the Integrated Resorts, and the Singapore Flyer are only minutes away, while over 2,000 shopping and dining options are accessible via a covered sky bridge.
Guests of this luxury hotel can unwind at the outdoor swimming pool, spa, or 24-hour gym, savor Singapore at Colony, or indulge in Cantonese cuisine at the Michelin-star Summer Pavilion.
Renowned for iconic views from its spacious guestrooms and suites, the hotel features an exclusive Club Lounge on level 32, on the top floor, with spectacular views of the Singapore skyline. It features dedicated Concierge services and five daily culinary presentations throughout the day. Club guests are invited to enjoy refined cuisine, unique experiential activities, or simply unwind.
Breakfast is an excellent spread of fresh fruit, pastries & other baked goods, smoked salmon with all the trimmings, and several hot offerings. In the evening, expect cocktails & substantial hors d’oeuvres along with chocolates, dessert & cordials/drinks. The offerings are varied & substantial, more than enough to fill you up.
Clubroom and suite guests enjoy personalized check-in and check-out service and a dedicated Club concierge service. Guests may also enjoy a complimentary limousine drop-off service within the vicinity.
Guests below 12 years of age are welcome between 6:30 am – 6:00 pm, unlike the Mandarin Oriental, where kids are not allowed if they are under 12 years old.
5. Pan Pacific Singapore
The stylish Pan Pacific Singapore prides itself on its contemporary design. It is connected to the Marina Square, Suntec City, and Millenia Walk malls, so if you’re looking to do little else but shop, there are plenty of opportunities.
There’s also easy access to Boat Quay, a historic enclave in the middle of this modern city, and more shops, bars, and restaurants at Clarke Quay, which is located on the north bank of the Singapore River.
Restaurants at the hotel are very good, with breakfast served daily at the main restaurant Edge, which is also open at lunch and dinner. Enjoy authentic North Indian dishes at Rang Mahal, award-winning Cantonese creations at Hai Tien Lo, and book a table at Keyaki Japanese Restaurant, which is set on the fourth floor and is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden. The Poolside Bar is a great place for cocktails, but this is not one of the most iconic bars or pools in Singapore, hence its position as number 5 in our listing.
This hotel is comparable to the Mandarin Oriental below, certainly in the distance to MRT, distance to sights. Mandarin Oriental is better positioned for good views, but if you are on a high floor at the Pan Pacific, you have a pretty great view, including all the way out to the Strait.
6. Mandarin Oriental Singapore
The Mandarin Oriental Singapore is a brilliant luxury hotel choice in Marina Bay, not only for its club lounge but also for the incredible views from floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms. Your view will be either of the bay, the ocean, or the city. These views, along with the contemporary design with a stylish Oriental flair, make this luxury hotel a great choice.
The problems with this hotel include the design of the building, which is an uninteresting one compared to some of the other hotel options in Singapore. The public spaces are also quite small, dark, and dated, hence the number 6 position.
A nice feature of this hotel is the walkway that connects the hotel to The Marina Square Mall, which has loads of shops, restaurants, cafés, and bars. Theatres and the Suntec conference and exhibition Centre are also a short walk away. Orchard Road shops are about 15 minutes away by taxi.
This hotel’s rooftop pool is an absolute highlight, with comfy loungers, tropical plants dotted about, and fountains spurting into the pool area.
This hotel is enormous, with 527 rooms and suites. The exclusive Oriental Club Lounge, located on the 19th floor, enjoys panoramic views of the Singapore skyline. The lounge has a contemporary Asian feel with floor-to-ceiling windows, wood floors, and elegant furnishings.
Guests on the four executive floors of The Oriental Club enjoy attractive benefits such as daily Champagne breakfast, evening cocktails, late check-out until 6:00 pm, complimentary internet access, a selection of three room types, and more.
Specific free benefits at this club lounge include:
- Champagne breakfast and afternoon tea daily, along with all-day wines, beers, and soft beverages
- Evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
- Complimentary pressing of two garments per day
- Complimentary high speed internet access
- Use of meeting room with teleconferencing facilities for up to two hours per day
- Private check-in and check-out at the Oriental Club Lounge
- Guaranteed late check-out
They have a strict child policy here. The lounge is open to guests aged 12 years and older staying on their Club floor. Smart and casual attire is also required.
7. Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The Marina Bay Sands hotel comprises three 55-storey towers, 2,560 luxury rooms and suites, and 18 different room types. This hotel is enormous, featuring the iconic and ridiculously high swimming pool that spans across the towers.
This unique structural masterpiece, designed by visionary architect Moshe Safdie, spans the width of all three soaring Marina Bay Sands hotel towers. The SkyPark floats atop the three soaring hotel towers at a height of 200 m (650 ft). This gravity-defying platform stretches longer than the Eiffel Tower laid down and is large enough to park four and a half A380 Jumbo Jets.
It houses a ticketed observation deck, lush gardens, shops, top-notch restaurants, and an exclusive infinity-edge swimming pool with a legendary view. Complementing the retail space are delectable dining options, which include restaurants by celebrity chefs, fine dining, and casual eateries.
To be honest, it’s not my cup of tea at all. I am not great with heights, and this is the world’s largest infinity-edge pool at that height. It comprises 422,000 pounds (191,416 kilos) of stainless steel and holds 380,000 gallons (1,438,456 liters) of water.
Natare engineered this stainless steel swimming pool to allow for the swaying of the three skyscrapers in every direction. There are four movement joints beneath the main pools, designed to help them withstand the natural motion of the towers, and each joint has a unique range of motion. The total range of motion is 500 millimeters (19.68 inches). The SkyPark is designed for wind pressures of up to 2.5 kPa (5,933 lbs./ft² or 250 kg/m²) and wind speeds of up to 105 ft./s (32 m/s). It seems almost unnatural, but you can’t help but admire this marvel of engineering. It shouldn’t work, but it does!
If you do decide to stay in this Disney or Vegas-style massive hotel and want to experience the pool, get a poolside lounger first thing in the morning, before the crowds.
The hotel rooms are very average. The level of luxury is limited by the sheer size of this hotel. 2,500 rooms is not boutique! Expect spectatorship and awe here, but if you are looking for the highest level of luxury, you will not find it here.
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