Background
Singapore Changi’s new Jewel complex is certainly a hit with locals and visitors. The mix of man-made attractions in the indoor waterfall and forest along with a good mix of shops has made it very popular. The airport hasn’t forgotten the needs of travellers, however, with everything from day spas and baggage storage facilities to a good on-site hotel – the Yotelair – and this lounge.
Where is it?
On level 1 of the Changi Jewel complex, just opposite the baggage storage facility and close to the early check-in desks. Does this count as an airport lounge? Well, it is in the Jewel, attached to Terminal 1 and with easy walking access to both Terminals 2 and 3 (for Terminal 4, you’d need to catch the free shuttle bus). Obviously this is land side, which I suppose makes it an arrivals lounge, but it’s also useful for departures when you have finished business for the day and don’t want to go airside too early.
Who can access it?
Anyone who doesn’t mind paying for the privilege. You can now access using Priority Pass. Children under two years old get in free, but I think they need a paying adult with them. Thank goodness.
What’s it like?
The lounge runs contrary to many lounges which have demarcated areas in that it is really one very large room, with a relatively high ceiling and lots of lounge seating spread around. Plus points are plenty of power points, including USBs, and the fact that it is nearly empty at the moment so you can have a whole area to yourself.
Staff are also helpful, especially since this was the first month of the lounge being open and they are still finding their feet in what exactly the lounge is offering and who it is aimed at. There is a changing selection of food, both hot and cold.
Negative points are that you have to pay for drinks, and not just alcoholic ones. At present, it’s quite hard to work out what’s included and what is not. For instance soft drinks are included, but even a glass of beer is charged at roughly S$10 for a half glass or S$12 for a full glass. And when I asked for a sparkling water that was S$7, so really, it’s kind of a strange set up. I took a picture of the menu so you can see:
In addition, there are very few tables given the number of seats, so at many of the seats and sofas you’d have to put your glass or cup on the floor. The tables they have are too low and small – you can’t work on them and you’d struggle to place more than two plates on one of them.
I think the design is because it is intended at least partly for cruise passengers waiting for their transfer over to the terminal. Changi has plans to allow checked baggage to be picked up and taken there, allowing passengers to unwind and shop at the Jewel, maybe take a shower if they need one, and then get taken to start their cruise.
If you are looking for absolute peace and quiet, you won’t find it here. The lounge has a wide open doorway so a fair bit of the noise from the mall outside comes in, though you could always wear headphones.
When I visited mid-afternoon it was quiet in the lounge, and very busy outside – all the more reason to seek shelter to finish the week’s work. As the mall outside moved into overdrive – there are light shows on the waterfall in the evening which are very popular – the lounge stayed relatively empty, and I got a lot of work done before checking in and going through airside at the airport.
Note that there are also some spacious shower facilities, though access is an additional S$18.
Verdict
This lounge won’t suit everyone’s purposes, especially if you want to drink, but it’s a good option if you have time to kill and don’t want to go through security early. You could also use it as an arrivals lounge.
If you only want to shower, bear in mind the Yotelair on Level 4 offers them for only S$20.
Contact
The lounge can be pre-booked online – Jewel Changi Lounge
Price
Lounge access (3 hours):
- Adult – S$38
- Child – S$27
- Lounge and shower S$50
- Shower only S$18
