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The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is probably the iconic ‘floating’ ship platform supported by three towers (which house MBS’s 2,561-room hotel) – but did you know that the resort also includes a museum, a theatre, 2 floating crystal pavilions, a convention centre, the world’s largest atrium casino, as well as a massive mall? The latter is called The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, and we found ourselves here in the early evening after an incredible afternoon at the Gardens by the Bay, which is within walking distance of the mall.

The last time I came to the Shoppes was more than a decade ago (read about it here), and I was lucky to catch Jackie Chan(!) in the flesh as he was in town for a movie premiere. This time, no Jackie – but the wonderful Christmas decorations more than made up for it.

The mall looks as impressive as ever, with its unique, curving glass roof that blurs the lines between the interiors and the outdoors. It looks even more magical at night, like you’re shopping underneath the stars.

Traversing the mall can be a good workout, since it spans over 1mil square feet of space and has over 300 shops. Most of these are luxury and designer brands, with boutiques for Chanel, Cartier, Prada, Gucci, Hermes, and Salvatore Ferragamo, to name a few.

One of the highlights of the mall is the canal that runs through parts it ala Venice, complete with red boats that you can sit in while you soak in the surroundings. It’s a tad gimmicky for me, and the ride is very short to justify paying the price, but to each their own.

Fun fact: Malaysia did a version of this wayyy before MBS did. It was at an old mall called The Mines – and its actually still there to this day. But Malaysians being Malaysians, we have terrible maintenance culture, and the attraction (as well as the mall) is now a shadow of its former self.

Before we venture further, a pit stop at the food court to refuel. The Food Court is probably one of the cheapest options for food if you’re not willing to splurge on a high-end cafe by the waterside or a fancy restaurant. Prices are surprisingly reasonable, and there are many options too, including local and international cuisine.

The Hubs and I had nasi lemak: his ‘basic’ option with fried chicken and fried egg cost $6.50 (RM21), while I opted to add on sotong for another $3. Tastewise it was… okay. Something to fill you up after a long day, nothing spectacular but not bad either.

Something I think that Malaysians can learn from Singaporeans: they never ask if you have smaller bills. If you give them a $50 note for a $1 meal, they will give you the change, no questions asked. Malaysians, on the other hand, have this habit of asking if you have small change, which will usually result in: a) me rummaging through my wallet only to tell them I don’t have any and them putting on a sour face; or b) me giving up and saying ‘I’ll just use my card’. I mean, if I gave you a large bill, the consensus is I that I don’t have small change. Sigh.

But I digress.

There was a paid digital art and science exhibition going on at the atrium near the food court, where visitors could interact with the digital displays on the floor. It was colourful and children seemed to enjoy it very much, running around as they watched the digital swirls and shapes follow in their footsteps.

Above the canal is the Rain Oculus, a gigantic acrylic bowl that functions as both a skylight and rain collector. The rainwater swirling within forms a whirpool which is channeled back into the canal. Pumps are controlled so that the water changes in shape and intensity at intervals.

We exited The Shoppes to the Event Plaza, where we were greeted by the sight of Singapore’s impressive CBD skyline with its multi-storied towers and office blocks perched along the water’s edge. Floating nearby was the Apple Store, which sports a distinctive design of a glazed dome atop a black glass base.

Living up to its reputation as one of the most walkable cities in the world, the area around the bay is beautifully landscaped and easy to traverse: you can walk all the way to the iconic Merlion statue at the other end, which takes about 20 minutes.

The exterior of The Shoppes facing the waterfront are lined with chic cafes and eateries, where you can dine al fresco while people watching. There were plenty of bikers, runners, and people walking their pets.

To the right of the entrance is the floating crystal pavilion, which houses the Louis Vuitton flagship store, as well as the Art Science Museum. The latter was one of the spots I wanted to visit on this trip to SG, but unfortunately did not have the time. Will put it on my list for the next round!

We wanted to stay for the fountain show, but unfortunately my parents were feeling fatigued and since we still had a long commute ahead, we left just before the sky darkened around 7pm. The Bay area in the evening still offered a pretty view – the thousands of lights flickering on in the buildings as the sun set.

There’s lots to see and do around Marina Bay Sands: if you have the budget to shop, the place is a haven for branded and luxury goods. Even window shopping is fun, as you get to see the beautiful displays in front of each boutique. The casino is an exciting destination for those who crave entertainment – although the Art Science Museum would be more my cup of tea. Cafes and restaurants galore: Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Kitchen is located here, as are some of Singapore’s classiest eateries, like CE LA VI and Maison Boulud. For nightlife, there are high-end clubs and bars too. And of course, the waterfront is always a gorgeous sight, offering a different atmosphere during the day and at night.

GETTING THERE

The easiest way to get here by public transport is by the MRT. Take the Circle / Downtown line to Bayfront MRT station. Trains operate from 6AM to midnight.

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PS2: All expenses are out of my own pocket unless otherwise stated. Views here are my own and are based on my personal experience. They are not meant to endorse or disparage businesses in any way.