Bae So-young is a graphic designer at The Korea Times. She specializes in creating infographics, page layouts and illustrations, focusing on producing visually appealing and effective designs. By utilizing visual elements, she enhances the readability of news articles and helps convey key information more clearly. With her creative approach, she strives to design engaging visuals that aid readers’ understanding.
Marina Bay Sands adds new beauty to Singapore
By Bae So-young
By Bae So-young
Korea Times correspondent
Around this time every year, every worker dreams of getting away from their stuffy office cubicles for a nice summer holiday.
But where to go is the dilemma.
You might have already traveled to many of the most famous domestic and nearby foreign tourist attractions. And you don’t have many places you can choose from that can fit your schedule.
But don’t lose hope, there are always ways to make your holidays memorable. If you stay at a unique and beautiful hotel, you can make another unforgettable memory in a country you have traveled to before.
If you have been to Singapore in the past it will be worthwhile to give the island nation another visit because the new Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is a hotel you won’t want to miss. The resort has become the latest draw for the city.
The MBS, which opened on June 23rd, is the largest hotel in Singapore. The hotel with 3 wings and each wing has 55 floors, totaling 2,560 rooms of 18 types including suites. In 230 luxury suites, guests will be able to enjoy custom-tailored services including a butler service and a VIP private entrance.
The three buildings support the hotel’s Sky Park. They are located in the business district which is 20 minutes’ drive from Changi Airport. The splendor of these gigantic structures is easily noticeable, even from a distance.
Sky Park, the size of 3 soccer stadiums, is equipped with a 150 meter swimming pool decorated with trees and plants. It also provides a viewing platform with stunning views of the skyline of the South China Sea and the Singaporean financial district. Top Singaporean chef Justin Quek’s restaurant, ‘The Sky on 57’ is also located here.
Atrium lounge
When you pass through the main entrance of the hotel, Tower 1, Antony Gormley’s artwork named ‘Drift ‘ is the first thing to catch your attention.
The work of art is made with 16,100 steel nodes running across it and 8,320 going down. This three-dimensional matrix construction looks like clouds that are only visible in the skies above, in heaven.
Eighty-three large ceramic works are another fine attraction for guests.
The huge ceramic pots, three meters high and weighing 12 kilograms, named ‘Rising Forest’, were made by Chongbin Zheng in China.
Adding to the allure, the outside of the atrium is quite fascinating. The external surface, named Wind Arbor, produces silky silver waves from the 260,000 aluminum plates whenever the wind blows. According to the designer Ned Khan, reflecting light waves from every single plate is an intentional part of the design. Since this concept is similar to the exterior of the W hotel in Seoul, it might be a familiar image to Koreans.
Integrated resort with casino
The casino facilities of the MBS provide further enjoyment. The main hotel building and the 15,000 square meters of the casino were prepared separately. This four-story casino features over 1,500 roulette tables and 600 other games.
The building also fits the overall artistic mood of the MBS with a chandelier of 132,000 Swarovski crystals hanging from the 40 meter high ceiling.
There is a special private club, Paiza, for high rollers. For Paiza club members, the MBS offers special cuisine, amenities, and 24-hour personal services.
Haute cuisine, musicals
The hotel has as many as 50 restaurants. The world’s top chefs at the restaurants have already became famous through word-of-mouth: Daniel Boulud (New York), Wolfgang Puck (LA), Santi Santamaria (Barcelona), Guy Savoy (Paris), Tetsuya Wakuda (Sydney), and Justin Quek (Singapore).
Above all, the award winning ‘Rang Mahal’ Indian restaurant, ‘Imperial Treasure’ located in the casino complex, and ‘Makansutra Masters’ presenting diverse cooking demonstrations and events are the best restaurants in the MBS.
At the 4,000 seat MBS Theater, the Broadway musical ‘The Lion King’ is performed all year round. Plus, all sorts of gala award ceremonies and concerts are already booked as entertainment options for guests, according to officials.
World-famous designer brand shops can be found in the 800 thousand square meter ‘The Shoppes’. In the middle of the large, luxurious shopping malls, customers can have an exotic experience by riding Venetian boats. In addition, the MBS hotel is preparing to build an ice rink to attract Singaporean guests.