One can get real trigger happy when one is on top of the "world’s longest elevated swimming pool"; I personally faced that situation in my staycation at my dream hotel, Marina Bay Sands! With over 50 photographs taken, the infinity pool rightfully deserved a dedicated post! Let's start from the beginning; register for a swimming slot either when you check in or via the queue registration system as informed in the above pamphlet.
My first visit was scheduled at the last available slot at 11.00 pm; I was a bit tired but the fact that I could finally check out this ultra-instagrammable spot kept me excited as I scanned my temperature, tapped my room card, and checked in at the pool's entrance.
Given that users of the previous 10.00 pm slot had yet to exit, we were asked to wait at the side.
The night was cool with the Singapore Straits illuminated by the numerous ships and even as far away as the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan. There were hot jacuzzi tubs but demand was high and with safe distancing in place, supply was limited. Finally, we were allowed into the 1.2 meter deep pool!
It was a spectacularly beautiful sight; Singapore's skyline is incredible and right ahead of us was literally the whole societal fabric of the nation. From the towering skyscrapers in the business district, to the preserved monuments at the waterfront, the bustling orchard road, Singapore's tallest hill, and even pockets of public housing that a majority of Singaporeans lives in. So surreal yet so pretty, and feel so proud to be Singaporean.
My photography skill doesn't do it justice though.
Showing you both ends of this 146-meter long infinity pool;
Marina Bay Sands had three towers and the pool was carved into three sections to allow better segregation given the COVID-19 situation.
Alex prefers to relax and would have enjoyed better if the kitchen was still operational. Pity, our visit was timed too late and the menu only had soft beverages and mocktails.
Menu as above. No thanks to the COVID-19 safe management measures; alcohol can't be served beyond 10.30 pm and I couldn't even get a serving of cocktail to wind down the day. My bad, I forgot about the restriction.
Time to leave! Do note that access to the pool is limited to a maximum of one hour per room per day and that's still subject to availability. I have friends who got to stay in the hotel yet didn't manage to get an infinity pool slot.
Call us crazy but our appointment slot the next day was at 9.00 am! Honestly, I don't sleep much nowadays and I think 9.00 am was just about right for us to play with water and relax a bit in the hotel room before checking out.
Again, we were brought to this area facing the Singapore Straits. Those who can't stand waiting in the sun can sit in the comfort of shelter at the pool's entrance.
Hot jacuzzi tubs were not popular for one simple reason; it may be morning but the sun was already relentless in shooting out high temperature rays!
That didn't stop Alex from plonking himself in the hot tub and dragging me along! Boy, it's like double whammy given the heat from both the sun and the water! Needless to say, I was out of the tub in no time.
Those who just want to check out the view comfortably but still under the hot sun can help themselves to outdoor sofas and chairs. Hm.... it would be nice to have an umbrella right? Although I had already soaked in the scenery the night before, daytime is a different ball game altogether. For one, visibility is definitely better and we can look further and secondly, photo taking would be way better.
The swimming pool was like a floating oasis and gave one the visual impression that one might just fall over the edge of the pool and plummet the 191-meters down!
Thanks god for the good weather, and in a way have to be glad for COVID-19 since the mandatory safe management measures have resulted in reduced capacity and it's not in pre-COVID times when the pool was literally stuffed with guests!
Reserving a deck chair literally inches from the pool. I am not game for the middle one surrounded by water though as a table would be necessary for some finger food and beverages!
More photographs for your viewing pleasure.
In case some of you are still thinking we could drop over the edge, it wouldn't happen that easily as there's a ledge and further away is a drain bordering the pool and then, another access pathway known as the catwalk. Someone just wanted to sleep.
A panorama from the pool side; even though there's some fish-eye effect, the infinity pool had actually a bit of a curvature angle. Don't you just love the top of the world feeling?
There were a few restaurants on top of Marina Bay Sands; this is CÉ LA VI restaurant which is adjacent to The SkyPark Observation Deck on the far end. Guests are allowed free access to the observation deck and as expected, I would have a separate post in this blog, soon. Food and beverage menu for your reference!
For me, nothing starts the day better than a cocktail and the above was pina colada, which contained rum, malibu, coconut milk and pineapple. Loving it and I guess the next time I visit; I should go for the interestingly named "peace on earth". Always nice to take zoomed-in photos for a bird's eye view; that's the former supreme court, victoria theatre, the current supreme court with the round disc for its roof and fort canning hill right behind.
Our beloved vomiting Merlion and the Anderson Bridge on the top left; as mentioned in my posting on "The Jog from Parkroyal Collection Pickering Hotel (Chinatown)", "the severed heads of criminals were hung on Anderson Bridge as a warning to discourage citizens from breaking the law" during the Japanese occupation!
The green Chinese pagoda roofed building was a clear hint on this area; that was the Tang Plaza which also housed the Singapore Marriott hotel. Area is Orchard Road.
Another beloved icon; the durians (officially known as The Esplanade)! To stay at Marina Bay Sands had always been a dream; maybe I should consider Hotel Swissôtel The Stamford next? At one time, it was the world's tallest hotel at 226 meters. Yes, I can see the skyline of Johore Bahru from here!
Singapore's Central Business District where a lot of skyscrapers take residence given its high property value. Despite our diminutive size, we were only ranked 12 in the world for cities with the most skyscrapers (buildings above 150 meters). Sunlight was bouncing off from the top of this building in the middle, that also appeared to be the tallest in the area. I don't recognize what building it was until I checked with Alex. It's ION Orchard!
Pictures for both ends of the infinity pool. Taking our leave; those not keen in swimming or sunbathing yet want to soak in the views can consider dining at a few of Marina Bay Sands; rooftop restaurants. The one we walked past was Spago by Wolfgang Puck.
Note: remember to return the used towels!
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Location
Infinity Pool,
Singapore
Additional Information
Forgot to bring along your swimsuit or sunscreen? You can get them from the Infinity Swim Shop located at Tower 1 pool entrance.
