An attraction in its own right, the multi-award-winning Singapore Changi Airport is not only a showcase of the country's efficiency and orderliness but also a cool and trendy place to hang out, as Julian Tan discovers.
1. CATCH live music performances at Harry’s Bar (pictured right) from 1800 to 2100 and Sports Bar (1900 to 2145) at T2 Transit Mall and the Stars & Legends Bar at T1 Transit Mall (1900 to 2145). Match the cool sounds with a glass of the house blend, which costs S$5 (US$3.30). Meanwhile, aficionados of the bean can go for their favourite brew at any café in the airport for – believe it or not – only S$2 (US$1.32).
2. TAKE a dip in the outdoor rooftop pool which also features a Jacuzzi, at T1’s Transit Mall East on level three (open from 0700-2300; fee: S$13.65/US$9 per entry). For other de-stress options, try a free chair massage at The Oasis lounge, open 24/7 at T2 Transit Mall. Cable TV and free internet access are also available at the lounge. Or do your lungs a favour and go for some oxygen therapy at the Oxygen Bar in the Plaza Premium Lounge at T2’s Transit Mall, available at S$15 (US$9.90) for 10 minutes. Passengers can also enjoy the other perks available at the Plaza Premium Lounge at S$30 (US$21.60) for five hours. The price includes freshly prepared light snacks, free flow of hot and cold beverages, access to the salad bar, use of the shower with amenities, internet and email access, complimentary local calls, newspapers and magazines.
3. INDULGE in retail therapy. This can be tricky when there are over a 100 shops to explore at Terminals 1 and 2. Not to be missed is the Mercedes-Benz boutique (pictured above) in T2’s Transit Mall North – a one-of-a-kind in Southeast Asia. It is open from 0600 and 0100 and carries a wide selection of brand merchandise like model cars, golf accessories and children’s toys. Another addition is Tiffany & Co. at T2 Departure/Transit Lounge South, one of two boutiques located in the airports in Asia-Pacific (another at Hongkong International Airport). Now don’t be late for your flight!
4. FOLLOW a nature trail without even leaving the terminal. Enjoy the koi ponds and themed gardens profuse with orchids and sunflowers, ferns and cacti adorning the Transit Mall of Terminals 1 and 2. The cactus garden (pictured below), believed to be the first of its kind located in an airport, features over 20 varieties of the thorny species culled from North and South America. The rooftop sunflower garden provides views of the runway.
5. CATCH a free movie at Terminal 2’s Transit Mall South on level 3. Open daily, the theatre is equipped with a 100-inch projector screen and comfortable seats. The other movie theatre is located next to the Food Gallery at T1’s Transit Mall East on level 3.
6. TOUR Singapore for free if you have at least five hours before a connecting flight. The two-hour city tour consists of a scenic bumboat ride along the Singapore River or a jaunt to Sentosa island. However, this is subject to availability and visa requirements. Register at the Singapore Visitor Centre at Terminals 1 and 2 Transit Mall.
7. PICK a gadget. In October, the annual IT fair, Digital Connection, features a wide range of products and special offers. The roadshow showcases the latest photographic equipment, computers and electronic products. For more details, log on to www.changiairport.com in October.
8. JOIN the club. Located next to the airport’s Terminal 2 is JetQuay, the region’s first standalone luxury terminal. The 2,000-square-metre facility boasts a separate driveway and entrance for private arrival and departure as well as a lounge with Wi-Fi access (pictured below), business centre, meeting rooms, bistro, spa room, gym and nap rooms among others. For more details, visit www.jetquay.com.sg
FRESH AND NEW
Singapore Changi Airport unveiled its refurbished Terminal 2 in September last year, after a 39-month upgrading exercise totalling S$240 million (US$158.16 million). Extensive improvements were made to refresh the look and feel of the 17-year-old terminal. Shopping and dining areas were also introduced in the Departure and Arrival Halls, as well as the Departure/Transit Mall.
Key enhancements included new design features to T2’s exterior and interior to bring in more natural light into the terminal building, installation of a new 250-metre leaf-shaped glass canopy at the Departure kerbside, the addition of 2,800sq m of floor area in the Departure/Transit Mall for retail, F&B, landscaping, seating and an events area, as well as an improved layout of the terminal. Lifts and escalators were also added or repositioned to cater to the elderly and disabled. To accommodate the Airbus A380, 11 of the existing gate holdrooms in T1 and T2 are being modified and, with the completion of T3 in 2008, eight more aerobridge gates will also be available.
The terminal boasts several new facilities, including the 24-hour Skyplex Entertainment Lounge with plasma and LCD screens,
I-Connect offering internet access and a game zone, a dedicated events area for staged activities and a foot reflexology spa among others.
