The Marina Bay Sands was built from 2005 to 2010 with its grand opening in 2011. It's a hotel resort and casino, and the whole complex also features a mall, a theater, a museum, and more. The whole thing cost a jaw-dropping $8 billion Singapore dollars, which at the time was about $6.8B USD.
The hotel is 57 stories tall with more than 2,500 rooms spread through the three towers. On top, a giant boat-looking structure balances between the three and hangs over the sides. It has an amazing infinity pool and a delicious restaurant. This building has become the icon of Singapore. It's on every souvenir and plastered throughout the city. And for good reason, it's pretty darn cool, and at 57 stories up, it offers awesome views of the city.
But if you're looking for the best view of the Marina Bay Sands, you've got to head to a different building. LeVeL33 is a brewery and restaurant on the edge of the Central district of Singapore. It's, you guessed it, on the 33rd floor, and from a seat on their balcony, you will have the absolute best view of the Marina Bay Sands.
It was a little windy up there, but 100% worth it. This is an excellent view of the marina and the entire Marina Bay Sands complex. The three large buildings in front of the boat hotel are mall called "The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands," and the oddly shaped white structure behind that is the art and science museum.
Because the boat hotel is such a prominent feature of the city, there are plenty of good places to get a view and nice picture of the Marina Bay Sands. All along the boardwalk across the marina, you can get great photos of the hotel and complex.
If you walk all the way down, you can also see Singapore's Merlion statue. The Merlion is a mythological creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, and it's Singapore's national mascot. There are other versions of the statue now, but this fountain is the original. The Merlion 28 feet tall and weighs 70 tons.
One thing you'll definitely want to do is head back to the boat hotel at night. Check out Singapore's River Walk for some excellent views of the Marina Bay Sands lit up at night.
Right photo credit: Andrew Souza