We had only booked 2 nights accomodation as thought that would be ample to see what was what here. The first night we booked rooms at the Novotel Clarke Quay as we had always had good experiences with Novotel before. We also upgraded to the Premier Floor which gave us access to the Premier Lounge with "happy hour" drinks, canapés and breakfast in the same lounge. Novotel didn't disappoint and although the rooms were of an older style the service and amenities were first class with no complaints.
Now as a treat we had booked a room at the Marina Bay Sands for our second night, bit of a splurge I know but we set off after breakfast to see if it was possible to get an early check in at MBS which was a short cab ride away. The check-in counter had a line about twenty deep of other guests apparently with the same idea but as good sheep we joined the queue. As luck would have it, and it was our very lucky day, a guy from the hotel approached us asking if we were checking in? We answered in the affirmative so he invited us to come with him to an alternate check-in desk. In any other Asian country I may have had some reservations about some sort of scam going on here but....hey this was Singapore where trafficking in chewing gum is a capitol offence!
We were escorted to another desk in a small alcove where there was about 2 people in front of us...thank you very much! When our turn came the young lady who's name escapes me now informed us that she had a bit of a surprise for us. She was able to give us a two bedroom apartment. I first thought....mmmmm...maybe not necessary but the lady was so excited I said she could show us the room before we decided. This only excited her more and she almost leapt the desk in her anticipation of doing so! She escorted us to the lifts which were the express ones which bypassed the first 30 floors or so. We went straight to the 52nd floor which was looking good then she lead us down the hall to a double door entry way. She opened the door and gushed out that this was her favourite room and led us into.......heaven.
We had- two bedrooms with a bathroom and dressing room each. A multi media room with huge screen and surround sound, our own, albeit small, gym, a massage room, hair dressing room, office, huge lounge/dining room complete with baby grand piano, butlers kitchen with own butlers entrance. Each bedroom and the living area had floor to ceiling windows with views over Singapore city with electrically operated drapes and it went on and on... can't guarantee you'll have the same luck but it was great for one night to see how some people live. Even as a hotel guest we didn't bother going up to the observation deck, we did avail ourselves of using the infinity pool on the top floor which was a unique experience if leaving us with the feeling of being an ingredient of a "human soup".
If you are visiting as a non guest don't what ever you do spend the $23 SGD to get to the observation deck. Save your money, take the free lift to the Spago Restaurant on the pool level on the 57th floor and buy a couple of drinks and a snack to enjoy a very similar view in comfort. At the moment Spago are having a "Sundowners" special Mon-Thursday from 4:00- 7:00 PM with beers from $10 and light meals in the $15-20 range, see HERE.