1 nt splurge hotel in Singapore - Raffles, Marina Bay Sands...other??

[whichlower48]

We need 1 night in Singapore after a cruise and have decided to splurge. Shortlist at the moment is Raffles or Marina Bay Sands. Any opinions on either of these or should we look at something else?

Location not really important as we just want to spend our time enjoying the hotel, use the pool, drinks and dinner and then we'll be getting a taxi next day to airport. Want to feel like we've booked total luxury, once in a lifetime type place.

Shangu La or mandarin oriental much nicer .. especially pool at the Shangri La

for me it would be the marina bay just to get into that infinity pool

We loved Raffles, its something a bit different. Best breakfast I've ever had too!

Fullerton is meant to be lovely, I've had brunch their but not stayed in a room.

Depends what style you like.

I'm thinking Raffles is the quintessential Singapore hotel although I suppose we can go and get our singapore slings at the bar and experience the hotel without actually staying there. Marina Bay for the rooftop yes, maybe a more modern Singapore experience? I just want total wow factor, like this is the best hotel we've ever stayed in! Comfiest bed, most luxurious bathroom, fabulous bar for a cocktail, great service.

I'd recommend the afternoon tea at Raffles too!

Watch ‘WalkWithMeTim’ on insta - he’s done a few in Singapore early this year and is very honest with his reviews. Really down to earth guy so gives you a fab insight into what hotels are really like. He travels all over and stays in varying levels of luxury, it’s really interesting!

We had the afternoon tea at Raffles and it set the bar very high.

Marina Bay over Raffles. Fullerton would be good if you like the Raffles style. Raffles Singapore Slings aren’t the best, service is meh and very expensive. (Used to live there)

The infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands is unlike anywhere I've ever been. Despite rest of hotel being meh I'd stay there again in a heartbeat just for that. Go to other hotels for tea / cocktails if you want... then come back and laze and drink by pool. Perfect.

Marina bay sands hotel is blah unless you’re paying for a mega room/suite/upgrade.
hotel rooms very boring, wouldn’t feel that special. Though admittedly the roof top and pool is amazing. But you can get to the roof top for drinks easily.

raffles is lovely, very quintessential, tick the list.

best hotel we stayed in in Singapore interestingly was the intercontinental in their colonial style rooms, very, very nice!! Been back and stayed in a suite since and would go back again.

not your question but reccomend the battle box tour if you get time!!

Marina bay was a disappointment for me. Place was rammed full and is totally enormous. The Mandarin Oriental was fab as was The Fullerton.

Stayed at the MBS last year. The room was fab but the pool was HEAVING. It’s basically people soup from check-in until sunset.

Raffles was lovely. The pool was usually quiet.

I LOVE the Mandarin Oriental.

I also really liked The Barracks on Sentosa Island. This might be a good option if you’re arriving at the Singapore Cruise Centre and not the Marina Bay CC.

Stayed at all 4 last year for my 50th birthday.

Capella Singapore on Sentosa is another option. We had an amazing pool villa there. We didn’t stay at MBS or Raffles but had dinner at both and preferred Raffles.

I am always tempted by Marina Bay Sands, it just looks amazing. I think we are passing through Singapore again in the summer, family rooms still available at the moment but it's £1000/night. The pool looks amazing though. Only been in the bar in Raffles in my backpacker days.

If you go to Raffles, have a curry puff - best thing I've ever tasted.

Deffo wouldn't do MBS, too crowded. As pp has mentioned consider Sentosa.. The Barracks or Capella... In town The Fullerton, Mandarin Oriental or Raffles all lovely.

The pool at mbs is freeeezing though, I think they keep it very cold so all the instagrammers can get in and it’s not too packed. It was my dream to go there which I did, but if I had my chance again, (I won’t) I would defo stay somewhere else, also it does rain a lot and it could be a rainy day you are there.

I'd also recommend the St Regis or the Four Seasons for less flashy luxury. They don't have amazing pools though (lived in Singapore for years and also travelled there a lot for work hence all the hotel visiting!). I would never stay at MBS. If I were to go tomorrow I'd pick the Mandarin Oriental or One Fullerton I think.

We’re currently staying here

https://naumihotels.com/singapore/

It’s a boutique hotel with an infinity pool on the roof. Our room, well suite is amazing bedroom, sitting room, two bathrooms. Raffles is close by if you want to pop in for a Sling.

Can you stay more than one night?
We stayed at the MBS, absolutely loved it. Most people only stay one night, so between check out at 11:00 ish until check in at 15:00/16:00 the pool is really quiet.

Actually, don’t stay here! The breakfast is awful. It’s meant to be 5* luxury but it really isn’t.

You inevitably have to queue to get into the Bar at Raffles, but I would get afternoon tea at Raffles or book the Tiffin Room for a curry. The Pool at MBS is always heaving and honestly there are nicer hotel rooms.

All in all I would do the Mandarin Oriental, the pool and spa are great and the MO Bar is good for cocktails without the wait. If you're just in Singapore for a day and happy to spend money, I'd recommend the vintage vespa side car tours. Will take you to all the main sites and much nicer than walking about.

I was in Singapore last summer and stayed at The Mandarin mostly with one night in a Paiza Suite at the MBS. Simply put, the MBS really is just a one-time experience because it is extremely commercial, expensive and it is absolutely rammed to the hilt with people.

In order to access the infinity pool, you must be a guest. However, the MBS is generally visited by so many people who are not guests (they're on the rooftop to dine at one of its several restaurants).

To be very frank: the MBS infinity pool is not the best. The best is the Sky Pool in Dubai which is a 360 experience - loved it. Having been there once I have absolutely no interest in going back as a guest.

If you're just going for one night, then stay at the MBS but in Tower 1 or 2. Tower 3 isn't as nice unless you're in one of the suites. Now, the Paiza Suites are just incredible. There was an ultra-luxurious massage chair in the study of my suite. Never been on anything like it. Highly recommended.

Mandarin Oriental is lovely.

Best to look at the surrounding area, raffles is across the road from a decent upmarket mall, MBS is above a luxury mall.
personally I would go with raffles for the novelty value however you will miss out on any views since it’s a smaller colonial building. Fullerton is in a business area so things are quiet on the weekends. Maybe pick something close to orchard road which is the main shopping district.