Marina Bay is the newest district in the city of Singapore just south of Riverside.
To know
The name "Marina Bay" is unclear. Technically it indicates the body of water created by the reclamation of the territory around the mouth of the Singapore River and separated from the sea by the Marina Barrage, but the inhabitants associate the name "Marina" with the commercial center Marina Square and the numerous hotels that have developed around the north bank of the river. The southern area, or Marina South, is under development but its downtown, casino and convention center Marina Bay Sands, opened in April 2010. On this page Marina Bay is simply meant as the area between Shenton Way and Esplanade Drive.
How to orient yourself
Marina Bay: full screen map.
How to get
Transportation to Marina Bay is still disjointed. The northern area is served by the Circle Line MRT (opened April 2010), with stations at Esplanade (Suntec City) and Promenade (Millenia), or you can walk 15 minutes through underground links and shopping malls from Raffles City (City Hall MRT , where the North-South and East-West lines intersect).
Getting to the south is more difficult. Marina Bay Sands is served directly by the Bayfront MRT station and bus 97, 106 or 133. The same buses also run to Marina Bay MRT. The Downtown MRT line is expected to open stations in Marina Bay in 2013.
From the airport guests can use the shuttle service for free, others pay $ 25. Same price for a taxi trip.
How to get around
Suntec City, Marina Piazza, Millenia Walk and the Esplanade to the north are all conveniently connected, by underground shopping malls or covered walkways. For those who don't mind taking a stroll, Marina Bay Sands can be reached from the northern half by walking south on the Helix bridge, which has several viewing platforms overlooking the bay.
What see
Marina Bay Sands is home to several attractions.
- Marina Bay Sands Casino.
24 hours on 24. The second largest casino in Singapore, bigger and more gorgeous than the one in Sentosa, with 600 game tables and 1500 slot machines. Visitors get in for free, but residents have to pay $ 100 just to get in. Minimum age 16 years and an identity document is required. - Sands SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands (Tickets from hotel lobby, Tower 3).
$ 23 adults, $ 14 children. 10:00-22:00. The most spectacular place in Singapore. The SkyPark defies gravity, perched 55 floors above the ground like a surfboard above the hotel's three towers. Apart from the view, however, there is not much else because the pool is open only for guests. The alternative to paying the entrance fee of is to visit the restaurants for lunch, which will cost you about $ 50, but then you will have the opportunity to visit the SkyPark freely. - ArtScience Museum, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956. Adults $ 15/28, seniors $ 14/27, children $ 9/16. Mon-Sun 10: 00-22: 00. The ArtScience Museum is the world's first art and science museum and the largest private museum in Singapore. An integral part of the Marina Bay Sands resort, it mainly hosts traveling exhibits and has a small permanent exhibit. Among the events hosted exhibitions on: Genghis Khan, Dalí, the Titanic, Andy Warhol and Harry Potter.
- Wonder Full, Marina Bay Sands. Mon-Sun 20:00 and 21:30, Fri-Sat extra show at 23:00. A 15-minute water and light show each evening at designated times. It can be dazzling or shoddy depending on the perspective. It can also be seen from across the bay, which is home to several scenic viewpoints.
24 hours on 24. The second largest casino in Singapore, bigger and more gorgeous than the one in 
$ 23 adults, $ 14 children. 
Gardens and parks
Marina Bay gives back a lot of greenery to the city, all imported and replanted. Some trees in Gardens by the Bay are hundreds of years old, and some even date back a millennium.
- Gardens by the Bay. Adults $ 20, children $ 12 for two greenhouses; 5 $ for the skyway. The gardens are free. Outdoor gardens: 5: 00-2: 00, greenhouses and skyway: 9: 00-21: 00. Gardens by the bay is a futuristic park consisting of three water gardens. There are also giant artificial trees that light up at night and two covered greenhouses.
- Cooled Conservatories. 15/28$. 09:00-21:00. The gardens host two greenhouses; the Flower Dome simulating a dry climate environment and the Cloud Forest for other tropical highland plants.
- OCBC Skyway. 3/5$. 09:00-21:00. Two of the largest super trees are connected by a walkway, offering visitors a panorama 50m above the ground.
- OCBC Garden Rhapsody. Free. 7.45pm and 8.45pm. Night light show.
- Cooled Conservatories.
- Marina Barrage, 260 Marina Way (Exit A from Marina Bay MRT station then take shuttle bus number 400), ☎ 65 6514 5959. Free. Outdoor area: 24 hours. Singapore Sustainable Gallery: Mon, Wed-Fri 09: 00-18: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 00-20: 00. It provides an educational look at the inner workings of a reservoir and the transition to environmental sustainability. The roof garden offers stunning views of the Marina Bay skyline, and you'll see some intrepid kite flyers taking advantage of the breeze.
Marina South Pier offers some ferry services from the city to southern islands of Kusu and St. John. The journey is probably more exciting than the destinations.
- Southern Islands Ferry, Marina South Pier (Bus 402 from Marina Bay MRT station), ☎ 65 6534 9339. Adults $ 15, children $ 12. Mon-Fri: 10:00 and 14:00, Sat: 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00, Sun and holidays: 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. This gives you a couple of hours on Kusu, depending on which service you use, which is full of viewpoints.
What to do
- Esplanade Theaters on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive (City Hall MRT), ☎ 65 68288377. The Singapore equivalent of the Opera House by Sydney, apart from the fact that it resembles durian, the typical fruit of the place known for its pungent smell. Opera, ballet, classical music and more every day. Prices range from $ 20-30 for the cheapest seats to over $ 100 for the best ones. On weekends, for those traveling on a budget, there are free shows on the outdoor stage by the river.
- Singapore Flyer (Ferris wheel), 30 Raffles Avenue (30 Raffles Avenue), ☎ 65 63333311. Adults $ 29.50, children $ 20.65. 8:30-22:30. Singapore's newest tourist trap, this 150-meter Ferris wheel, a replica of London's London Eye, is the largest in the world. It takes one full loop in 30 minutes and for an extra $ 22 you can sip a cocktail while admiring the view but keep in mind that you will share the cabin with 28 other people unless you want to spend $ 1000 on a private ride. Various discounts are available, take the vouchers at the counter of the tourist offices.
Events
- Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Formula 1 Singapore Night-time Grand Prix), Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore.. The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the stages of the Formula One World Championship. The first race was held in 2008 at the Marina Bay Street circuit and was also the first nighttime grand prix in the history of Formula One. The race takes place in September and is accompanied by many other events.
- i Light Marina Bay. Free. Asia's first sustainable light show based festival that places 30 vibrant and innovative light art installations around the bay, as well as a series of interactive events and activities over a three-week period between March and April.
Shopping
- Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd (Promenade MRT), ☎ 65 68831122. Luxury shopping mall famous for hosting Singapore's most expensive watch retailers.
- Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard (Esplanade MRT), ☎ 65 68252667. Mon-Sun 10: 00-22: 00. The second largest shopping mall in Singapore, with the Fountain of Wealth, the largest fountain in the world.
- The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. The Sands shopping center houses 350 shops in the center of the most expensive shopping area in the city.
How to have fun
The nightlife in Marina Bay is still developing but interesting places are springing up.
- Avalon, Marina Bay Sands Crystal Pavilion South L1, ☎ 65 6688 7448. Admission $ 25. Wed, Fri-Sun 22:00 until dawn. Another mega club, in a trendy glass pavilion set on the waters of the Marina Bay Reservoir.
- LeVel33, Marina Bay Financial Center Tower 1 # 33-01, ☎ 65 6834 3133. Sun-Thu 12: 00-24: 00; Fri-Sat 12: 00-02: 00. Presented as a craft brewery in the penthouse of the Marina Bay Financial Center. Expect plenty of multinational employees on the outdoor terrace enjoying the view overlooking the entire Marina Bay area.
- [link previously not working]Pangea, ☎ 65 6688-7448. Admission $ 40. Opened in 2010, Marina Bay Sands' first megaclub. Booking a table here can cost anywhere from $ 1,500 to $ 15,000.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
As usual in Singapore, cheap meals can be found in the food courts of local shopping centers such as Food Republic and Fountain Food Terrace in Suntec City and The Gallerie in Marina Square. However, pay attention to the whimsical name of Rasapura Masters in Marina Bay Sands which is the most expensive in the whole country.
- Gluttons Bay, Esplanade Mall # 01-15, ☎ 65 63367025. 5/30$. Mon-Sun 18: 00-03: 00. This outdoor spot brings together 12 of Singapore's most famous hawkers. The place is breezy, by the river, with great views and great food although you can find better and cheaper prices in other parts of the city.
Average prices
There are plenty of mid-range restaurants in malls, but not many are of note and are mostly part of standard food franchises found elsewhere. Gardens by the Bay also have some casual dining options if you decide to rest in the middle of a stroll.
- Supertree Dining, Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay. 15$. Mon-Fri 11: 00-22: 00; Sat-Sun 08: 30-22: 00. A mix of dinner options ranging from noodles to sandwiches through fast food.
High prices
Marina Bay Sands is home to major names in international cuisine such as Daniel Boulud, Mario Batali, Wolfgang Puck, Santi Santamaria, Guy Savoy and Tetsuya Wakuda.
- [link previously not working]Ku De Ta Skybar, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, ☎ 65 66887688. Lunch $ 30 / $ 85, dinner $ 100/200. 12:00-15:00, 18:00-02:00. A branch of the famous Bali bar / restaurant although there seem to be legal issues regarding the name. This restaurant is very expensive for what you eat, but it is always better than the bar where just to go in and have a drink you are asked 50 $.
- Sky @ 57, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, ☎ 65 66888857. lunch $ 50, dinner $ 80 (minimum). 7:00-10:00, 12:00-14:30, 18:00-22:30. Modern Asian cuisine from chef Justin Quek and some of the best views over the city. The $ 50 three-course lunch ($ 60 four-course meal) is probably the most affordable way to see the area. Attention: even if there is an outdoor area, access is not included and a separate ticket must be paid.
- Guy Savoy, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Atrium 2, L2-01, ☎ 65 6688 8513. 300/400$. Tue-Sat 18: 00-22: 30. French nouvelle cuisine by Guy Savoy.
- Waku Ghin, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Atrium 2, L2-02, ☎ 65 6688 8507. 450$. 18:00 and 20:30. Chef Tetsuya's 10-course tasting menu, focused on Japanese cuisine and created with the best seasonal produce. Rated by Restaurant Magazine as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. It also has a bar with premium sake and whiskey.
There are also interesting places near Marina Square.
- Pollen, Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay (Carriage transfer available on arrival), ☎ 65 6604 9988. 12:00-14:30, 18:00-22:00. Innovative offerings, with Mediterranean influences, modern European cuisine from the ideas of Jason Atherton. The restaurant takes fresh herbs and vegetables directly from the internal garden.
- Shiraishi, 7 Raffles Ave # 03-01 (Ritz-Carlton), ☎ 65 63383788. lunch $ 30 / $ 85, dinner $ 100/200. 12:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00. A little place in a quiet corner of the hotel, you will not arrive by chance. Regular customers come here to enjoy some of the best sushi and sashimi that can be found. The lunch menus are cheap enough but to order à la carte at dinner it can be very expensive. For connoisseurs.
Where stay
In keeping with Singapore's glitzy new waterfront, Marina Bay accommodations are all made up of high-end hotels, most of which boast sweeping city and water views. Cheaper hotels can be found in the neighboring neighborhoods. The area is particularly busy during the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix in September, with many hotel rooms booked to be in the middle of the race. Bayfront Avenue will be closed, so traffic to the Marina Bay Sands will be limited to the south. Bridge Helix will be closed on race weekend (except for those with zone 1 tickets), which makes getting around more difficult.
High prices
- [link not working]Conrad Centennial, 2 Temasek Blvd, ☎ 65 63348888. 290$. New and very tasteful, close to Suntec City but away from the MRT. Great for a 5 star.
- Marina Bay Sands, ☎ 65 66888868. from $ 300. Nearly 2500 rooms with some of the best views over the city. Opened in April 2010, it is located above Singapore's largest casino. It houses the famous 'skypark' with its huge rooftop swimming pool from which to admire the panorama of the Central Business District. All the rooms are large, modern and well equipped.
- Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd, Marina Sq, ☎ 65 6336 8111, fax: 65 6339 1861, @[email protected]. From $ 350. Check in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. The iconic Pan Pacific Singapore has reopened after a refurbishment of its rooms. Free in-room wireless and wired internet. His Cantonese restaurant, Hai Tien Lo is famous for its great service and ambiance. The Marina Bay Sands entertainment complex is easily accessible via the "Helix Bridge".
- Ritz-Carlton Millenia, 7 Raffles Ave, ☎ 65 63378888. 400$. Modern and stylish, with spectacular views all over the walls, including the bathroom, for the rooms facing Marina Bay. Large rooms equipped with things like pillow in the bath. Gym, spa. swimming pool and Sunday brunch with champagne. Recommended.
- Naumi, 41 Seah St, ☎ 65 6403 6000. from 360S $ . Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 5 minutes from City Hall MRT. 40 rooms and suites.
How to keep in touch
Around
Head east for Riverside for its historic buildings or great nightlife, or north to Bugis for the shopping street. Both are within walking distance, with frequent breaks, though the MRT can be a more comfortable ride, especially from Marina Bay Sands.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Marina Bay
Commons contains images or other files on Marina Bay
