Monday, September 6, 2010

Casino Wars: RW Sentosa vs Marina Bay Sands


DSC00902


There aren't many things that Singapore can claim to be better than Malaysia. With the recent opening of 2 casinos however, Singaporeans can now boast of having an extra casino than us. I did not miss the opportunity to visit both while I was there, strictly for research purposes of course.

We visited Resorts World Sentosa first, by taking the RW8 bus from Vivo City. It took us directly to the entrance, the word 'CASINO' in big & shiny capital letters hanged atop it. This is a proper entrance alright...no need to keep it hidden at the top floor like in Genting Highlands.


IMG_1915


The entrance is divided into Singaporean & non-Singaporean sections. A very stern looking Chinese man stood in front it to check the passports of every tourist wanting to enter. He gave mine a long hard look before letting me in. This procedure is definitely less embarrassing than getting pull over by the police in Genting to check for IC (happened to me numerous times).

While Genting had a fleet of shiny Myvis & Alza to be given away & displayed along the corridor in conjunction with our National Day. Singaporeans have to make do with a Lamborghini Gallardo due to the lack of a national car maker. Tourists were crazily snapping away at the car as cameras weren't allowed beyond that point.


IMG_1960


The casino itself was very nice, although it isn't as big as I first thought. Punters were crowded around a few tables (the others were either closed or empty), placing their bets quietly. The atmosphere is akin to a library.

I grabbed a cup of drink from a waiter who was busily walking around, handing out drinks. 'Hmm...hot Chinese tea, how healthy' I thought to myself after taking a sip. Walking around exploring the place, I reached the free drinks counter which served only hot Chinese tea (again!) & plain water. 'Milo must be very expensive in Singapore'.

We left the casino moments later, having to pass through the same cumbersome security checks at the exit. The new casino certainly looked impressive, but I wonder why the designers completely ignored some basic rules in casino building like having fugly carpets or not displaying the time (they had clocks inside).


Las Vegas Carpets

Argh, my eyes!


One uniquely Asian element remained in the design though...feng shui. Like I said in my last post about casino, I am a man of science but here are some of the alleged feng shui incorporated into the layout.

If you took the escalators from the hotel, you will have to pass through these LED screens shaped like knives to cut you into pieces.


IMG_1966


After that, you will have to walk pass a corridor with water like reflections projected onto the ceiling to drown you. The criss cross structure resembled a net trying to capture water fishes like you...


IMG_1963


If you made it pass all of that alive, you will still be entering a casino situated at the deepest point of the resort, so you're practically entering Hell.

The feng shui arrangements are so powerful, even this peculiar sculpture of an elephant with a pyramid situated on top, is said to be deliberately placed to trap would be punters.

Beware the money grabbing elephant!


IMG_1967


Note: Post about Marina Bay Sands will be coming soon. (Read it here)


15 comments:

Rachel Melody said...

I guess Singaporean is traditional so they prefer chinese tea than Milo. All those photo are well taken. Good job. hehe

renaye said...

the carpet is so gonna hurt my eyes.

anyways ... it's interesting to see the marina casino resort architecture but it's also seem to be scary to see the swimming pool is connected to three buildings ... what if there's earthquake? or tsunami? don't wanna to imagine ...

RYC: hehe ... yes it's been a long time since i came here too.

thank you for remembering me.

acura said...

Rachel: Thank you, I know I have got great skills ;)

renaye: Marina Bay is stunning, but I didn't went up to the Skypark where the pool is located though. I will be posting bout my visit there soon....

Ken Wooi said...

hope to visit the place one day..
been to the casino in genting a few times, but didnt gamble at all.. lol =)

acura said...

I did not gamble in Singapore as well because I do not want to end up like Jay Chou LOL. If you intend to do so, I would advice you to try your luck in Genting 1st ;)

Kelvin said...

The casino is full of vampires~

acura said...

Kelvin: Why did you say that? LOL

KwOnG FeI said...

should go try luck thr..
who knows first timer or virgin hands can make some fortune..

acura said...

Kwong Fei: I would like to try as well, but but I don't dare already when I saw the minimum bet is $25 LOL.

Raoul said...

Weeeee Make do with a Lambho Gallardo because they don't have a national carmaker... That's sweet!

LOL!

*My eyes too!*

Maybe you should compare the Fengshui money trapping elements in Genting VS the one here? Or maybe you did already? hehe

acura said...

Raoul: Sad isn't it having to settle for a Lambo instead LOL

Good idea, I have never do a post comparing the 2 casinos' feng shui yet. I will need to do more *ahem* research then ;)

foongpc said...

I believe in feng shui. And the casino is certainly heavily feng shui-ed. Sure lose money one gambling in this casino, so no gambling for me, at least not here : )

acura said...

Foong: Can you please shed some light on the funny looking elephant? How can that be a feng shui element? I've never seen Lilian Too talk about it in the books LOL

JRmy said...

Good observation on the fengshui. I didn't have the chance to go pass the "gates of hell" due to lack of time which I think was quite a blessing in disguise lol.

acura said...

Quirky Malaysia: I guess that must be a blessing in disguise indeed. But next time if you have the chance, you might want to visit, just stay away from the gambling tables & you would be fine ;)

Related Posts with Thumbnails