Singapore has opened a purpose-built “bubble” facility, dubbed Connect@Changi, to support Covid-safe meetings between foreign business travellers and Singapore residents. 

Located five minutes from Changi Airport, the venue will initially launch with 150 guest rooms and 40 meeting rooms. 

Offering a “test-stay-work-meet” experience, the quarantine-free hotel and conference centre is the first of its kind worldwide. It also features amenities such as an indoor courtyard and gym pods.

By May, Connect@Changi will expand to about 660 guest rooms and 170 meeting rooms, which can each seat four to 22 attendees and have floor-to-ceiling glass partitions.

As reported previously by Business Traveller, the opening was postponed from January to allow for finishing touches to the facility. The project was developed by a consortium led by Temasek Holdings, which includes Changi Airport and hospitality giant The Ascott.

Robin Hu, Head of International Policy and Governance at Temasek, said:

“Without such a facility, travel options are essentially binary – either stay at home due to travel restrictions, or fly overseas and endure long periods in quarantine.

“After close to four months of intense, round-the-clock construction and collaboration with our partners, various government agencies, vendors and subcontractors, we are now ready to offer business travellers the option of resuming in-person meetings in a safe and contained manner, and do our part to catalyse economic recovery for Singapore and across the region.”

Room rates start at S$384 (US$289) for a 24-hour stay, which includes three meals, round-trip airport transfers, and mandatory Covid-19 tests.

connectatchangi.sg