The first guests have begun to arrive at the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore as the integrated leisure complex opens its doors to the public for the first time.

During a ceremony attended by Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS) chairman Sheldon Adelson, the first phase of the company’s most valuable asset was opened at the Feng Shui approved time of 15:18.

“Singapore’s reputation as a world-class international tourist destination will be further enhanced with the opening of Marina Bay Sands and our company’s reputation for building economy-changing tourism developments will be cemented around the world,” said Mr Adelson.

“For both of those reasons, I am happy to be in Singapore today to open the first phase of the property and look forward to the grand opening celebration.”

The opening marks the culmination of over four years of development for LVS, following a decision by the Singapore government to grant the organisation the contract for two new resorts in the country in 2006.

The first phase includes 963 hotel rooms, parts of the shopping mall and convention centre, some restaurants and bars, the Event Plaza along Marina Bay, and the resort’s casino.

On June 23rd this year, during the official grand opening celebration, the remainder of the property’s 2,560 guest rooms, more shops, additional dining options, and exciting nightlife offerings, will open. 

The Sands SkyPark - which sits 60 stories off the ground and is perched atop the property’s three hotel towers - will also debut on June 23rd.

“We are proud to have a fine team of people with the professional skills needed to build Marina Bay Sands, open it, and operate it.

“With that team, we are confident we will deliver the promise of a facility Singaporeans expected when they honoured us with this opportunity,” said Las Vegas Sands president Michael Leven.

Marina Bay Sands has more than 160 events booked in its Sands Expo and Convention Center. 

Those events - beginning in May 2010 - are expected to draw more than 250,000 total attendees. 

In October, one of the property’s two state-of-the-art theatres will welcome Disney’s The Lion King.

The second theatre, which will also open later this year, will be home to a variety of special events and famous headline acts.