Raffles V Marina Bay

[Cruiser Elite]

Good peeps Cruiserette and myself have 2nts to spend in SIN on way to Europe next June and need to choose a hotel.

We have stayed Raffles couple of times and just love the whole experience but really think we should try MBS. Would love to hear the thoughts of those who have experienced both.

Any suggestions on for booking MBS that might yield some extra benefits v straight out booking on their web site?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TomVexille]

No actual experience with either but will be following along to see what everyone says

 

[Pleb Status]

I have not stayed at either but 'others' have said that the MBS is very overrated for the price. I generally stay at the Conrad Centennial as I am HH Diamond.

 

[jetlagger]

Find both of the mentioned very overrated.
Try Fullerton or Pan Pacific as a better alternative. :idea:

 

[Homer]

If you get one of the higher and larger suites at Marina Bay Sands, with executive level privileges (the exec lounge is at the pool deck) then I think it's a very good option. Having said that, I've never stayed at Raffles as they've been fully booked every time I've tried so I can't offer a direct comparison. We spent 4 nights in SIN a couple of years ago and loved the pool most mornings and evenings (just have to dodge the mainland Chinese doing some low-energy aqua aerobics type stuff...), the aforementioned exec lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and evening coughtails, the proximity to really good restaurants and the shows and entertainment at Marina Bay itself.

 

[dajop]

IMHO the MBS rooms are decidedly so-so for the price. We stayed there on a credit card comp stay with access to the lounge, which was nice, but I've noticed the pay up to lounge access rates can be several hundred dollars ++ in which case not so sure it is worth it.

However as we spent most of the stay at the pool, I loved it , and would go back for another staycation for this reason (at the right price).

Bottom line I think if you're going to spend better part of the day or the evening at the pool, it's a great place. If not there are much better hotels out there for the money.

 

[boomy]

If you haven't stayed there yet, MBS definitely worth a visit for a couple of nights IMO. It's a unique hotel for it's design and swimming pool. The rooms are typical 5*, not very special but it doesn't matter because you will probably spend most of the outside or by the pool. I recommend a city view room which cost a bit more then garden view but offer priceless views of the city, especially at night. I wasn't impressed by the executive lounge, it was ordinary and very crowded so I don't think it worth to pay extra for lounge access. Save the money and eat outside at one of the many good restaurants SIN has to offer.

 

[Cynicor]

Every review I've seen says stay elsewhere. Never been to the raffles, but the fairmont, Fullerton and pan Pacific are all excellent

 

[Alanslegal]

All my friends who have stayed at Marina Bay Sands come back underwhelmed. The infinity pool and gardens is spectacular (I did sneak in to the pool area one evening a few years back during F1 weekend) but apart from that, it is an enormous hotel and being that large, you will definitely not get the personalised attention that you will get at The Raffles. The MBS will definitely have superior views as well over The Raffles. We stayed at The Raffles late last year, it was a nice experience (the two nights were complimentary thanks to BA), I would not go back and pay for a room though because it is not suited to my younger taste, it would have been perfect for my parents though.

 

[Steelo]

Agree with those who say Marina Bay Sands is a bit underwhelming. I think it's sheer size is the reason. We stayed at the newly opened Sofitel recently, it is sort of young Singapore meets Paris - lots of bling, great service and with a resident DJ in the lobby makes you feel young and trendy.

 

[jetlagger]

Every review I've seen says stay elsewhere. Never been to the raffles, but the fairmont, Fullerton and pan Pacific are all excellent

Agreed... a common denominator in the above is more favourable location & evidently more soul than perhaps MBS with its pretentious facade & certain variants of social climbing occupants.

 

[Programme]

Considered the Fullerton Bay Hotel? It's on the other side of the road from the main Fullerton Hotel and across the bay from MBS.

Haven't stayed there but there was a trip report posted by amaroo some time back. Looked good.

 

[Daver6]

Agreed... a common denominator in the above is more favourable location & evidently more soul than perhaps MBS with its pretentious facade & certain variants of social climbing occupants.

I wonder if that's how the Raffles was described when it first opened?

 

[jetlagger]

I wonder if that's how the Raffles was described when it first opened?

I'm sure it was.. & especially the colourful characters of the era enjoying its well defined grandness.

 

[SponsorSFC]

The wife and I stayed in a Club Room w/ City View at the MBS for 2 nights in March.

Personally I thought it was great, having access to the club facilities for breakfast was much better than fighting the much larger crowds downstairs and the pre-dinner complimentary canapes and drinks on the pool level was a worthwhile way to spend the early evening, especially considering Singapore prices for drinks.

We had spent the 5 previous nights at the Marina Mandarin which was pretty poor as far as service and room quality went so maybe we are being over generous to MBS but I could not fault the service we received at any point.

After looking at prices for a few months booking direct through the hotel was cheaper than through booking sites for the most part.

We went to Raffles for high tea but did not stay there, however the staff were again excellent so would be keen to try them out next time I am in Singapore.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I have not stayed at either but 'others' have said that the MBS is very overrated for the price. I generally stay at the Conrad Centennial as I am HH Diamond.

I used to stay at the status generating hotels, now I find it liberating that I dont!!

Nonethess the Conrad is a star....

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK a question for those that have stayed at MBS - do they serve French bubbles in exec lounge please?

And for those who haven't stayed at Raffles - you are missing one of the world's great hotel experiences. Is it overpriced? Possibly - probably - but it is Raffles - it commands a premium because guests are queuing up to hand their money over. As for the quality of the overall experience they delivered right down to how the scrambled eggs are served at breakfast - AMAZING. (Those who have stayed here will probably know what I am alluding to here).

We have stayed there 4 times now - it is Cruiserette's favourite all time hotel - the only reason she will contemplate another hotel - that being MBS - is the infinity pool, the views and Ku De Ta.

I certainly appreciate the the input re alt hotels but it will not cut the mustard with SWIP (She Who Is Paying).

 

[Homer]

OK a question for those that have stayed at MBS - do they serve French bubbles in exec lounge please?

Great question...'cause if you just wanted to read reviews by people who've never stayed there you could go to Tripadvisor...

When I was there two years ago it was Moët Brut (the standard non-vintage that you get in bottle shops here). It's French and it's from Champagne. That's about the best you can say about it. Is it better than the Aussie domestic sparking served in all lounges and most hotel club levels in Oz? You bet. Should you ever buy it to celebrate that special occasion? Nope.

 

[SponsorSFC]

OK a question for those that have stayed at MBS - do they serve French bubbles in exec lounge please?

.

It was definitely Champagne not sparkling but it was NV, I can't actually remember what brand it was though.

 

[Denali]

Having done MBS for 4 nights (by memory), my advise is to do it once for the pool but that's it.

We had a club room on level 47 (again, by memory as they blur after a while) that overlooked the city/river. Beautiful view, dream room for the grand prix.

Plus:
Club room included wifi and breakfast on the roof.
The pool. Its fun for photos and to cool off but I cant imagine doing it all day, every day. Thankfully they have a sectioned off adults side only for the pool.
Gardens by the Bay is a short walk away so first time visitors can go explore the cold cloud conservatory and then watch the garden light show at night.
View from the roof top is great. I personally like counting all the container ships out there and wonder how many are ours.

Cons:
Its very impersonal.
Very cold, echo lobby.
"VIP check in", not so much. Small room crammed with guests checking in and their families, nannies and bags. They will take your luggage curb side.
High floors = take a packed lunch for your trip to your room as there can be lots of stops with people in bath robes to/from the pool.
Rooms take forever to be cleaned. We would hit the "Clean our room button" at 7am and by 3pm it still wasn't cleaned. One day I told them not to bother cleaning as it was so late/nana nap time.
The lobby is a bit of a zoo with checking and checking out.

Overall did it once, wont do it again and I cant answer about the bubbles as I don't drink alcohol.