Home - thesundaypost - Dream destination
Dream destination
by Jane Moh. Posted on February 19, 2012, Sunday
TOP OF THE WORLD: Hotel guests enjoying the sun at the infinity swimming pool at Sands Skypark.
ARTS may not seem all too real when it comes to Marina Bay Sands (MBS) in Singapore but they not only portray their subjects well, the very sense of their existence is also felt by every hotel guest.
It is an instant connection the moment visitors step into the building, creatively carved by six internationally renowned artists – Antony Gormley, Chongbin Zheng, James Carpenter, Ned Kahn, Sol Lewitt and Zhan Wang.
Each, with his unique inspiration, came up with the Drift by Gormley; Rising Forest by Zheng; Blue Reflection Façade with Light Entry Passage by Carpenter; Wing Arbor, Tipping Wall and Rain Oculus by Ned Kahn; Wall Drawing by Lewitt and Artificial Rock by Zhan Wang.
SPECTACULAR: Marina Bay Sands provides one-in-a-lifetime experiences to travellers.
Their installations create shapes, moods and interior spaces providing the public with a unique opportunity to visually and physically experience the large-scale artworks at one destination.
The unprecedented collection of such artistic creations was commissioned to integrate seamless with Moshe Safdie’s iconic architecture.The works were designed especially for the unique building, and together, they form a path through Marina Bay Sands, extending from the 23-storey atrium in the hotel towers to the exterior of the building, weaving back through the destination.
BREATHTAKING: The Sands Skypark infinity pool at night. — Photos courtesy of Marina Bay Sands
Located in the heart of the Central Business District, MBS is Asia’s leading destination for business, leisure, and entertainment, delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Its iconic design and multi-dimensional offerings have transformed Singapore’s skyline and its tourism landscape since its opening on April 27, 2010.
The destination offers a luxury hotel, state-of-the art convention and exhibition facilities, theatres, world-class entertainment and the best shopping and dining in the region.
Crowned above the three hotel towers is Sands SkyPark – an architectural masterpiece.
The 1.2 hectare tropical oasis is one of the largest art commissions ever completed as part of an integrated architectural process.
FIRST CLASS: The living room of a chairman suite.
Within this large space, nothing beats the experience of soaking in the spectacular view of Singapore’s cityscape at the edge of the infinity swimming pool. It felt like an invitation to look at the concrete jungle from a completely new perspective.
Just 20 minutes drive from Changi Airport, Sands SkyPark was built for both tourists and the corporate world. It’s home to restaurants, lush gardens, an infinity-edged swimming pool and the world’s largest public cantilever housing an observation deck. Indeed, there’s no such word as ‘boring’ in MBS vocabulary.
There are numerous venues to hold the visitors in awe – for instance, the 1.3 million sq ft Sands Expo and Convention Centre, which can accommodate over 45,000 delegates, 2,000 exhibition booths and 250 meeting rooms, and Southeast Asia’s biggest ballroom, big enough to hold a banquet for 6,600 people, and up to 11,000 for an auditorium-style lecture.
Close to 800,000 sq ft of retail and dining space, MBS is Singapore’s first large-scale luxury shopping mall. Boasting iconic trademarks such as Bally, Cartier, CHANEL, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada and Tiffany & Co, it promises a refreshing mix of international luxury brands, emerging labels and new concepts.
Gourmet experience
For those looking for the first-class dining – both in taste and style – MBS is a gourmet experience with over 50 dining choices, including celebrity-chef restaurants, helmed by Mario Batali (New York), Daniel Boulud (New York), Wolfgang Puck (Los Angeles), Santi Santamaria (Barcelona), Guy Savoy (Paris), Tetsuya Wakuda (Sydney) and Justin Quek (Singapore).
Chocolate lovers should not miss the opportunity to indulge at the buffet with a wide variety of chocolates. Situated at Sand Skypark, is a club based on an indulgent Chocolate Bar concept and open to public by 8pm daily.
BEST TREAT: The chocolate bar buffet is open from 8pm daily.
A host to everything – from award-winning musicals to private parties at an exclusive club – MBS gives the best value for entertainment. Combined with the art and science, the ArtScience Museum, with its lotus-inspired design, features blockbuster exhibitions from around the world. Then there is always the broadway musical at the Grand Theatre, and the Event Plaza provides an outdoor, urban atmosphere for live performances and light and laser shows.
Away from the busy activities, one of the great hospitalities that MBS offers is the spa and fitness club for its visitors. Famous for pioneering the tropical garden spa concept with its time-honoured Asian therapies and holistic focus on spiritual, mental, and physical harmony, Banyan Tree Spa (BTS) offers hotel guests an exclusive retreat and intimate haven for renewal.
Officially launched on July 21, 2011, the BTS offers 35 luxurious treatments and services. Banyan trees Fitness Club provides gym facilities and services such as sauna, steam room and hot pool. It treats every hotel guest with a spectacular view of the Singapore city skyline.
MBS is an escape to the paradise – an ideal vacation destination to those who long for travel in style and luxury. For those planning to visit this island, there are many hotels to choose from – boutique to five star. For something different, it is guaranteed that this place is absolutely one of a kind.
