General details
Opening times: 24 hours
Showers: Yes
Bar: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Multi-standard power sockets: Yes
USB charging sockets: Yes
Location
The Changi Lounge is located at Level 1 of the Jewel complex, which is directly connected to Terminal 1.
If the Jewel is new to you, check out our first look from the opening weekend in April 2019.
From the T1 departures level (Jewel drop off), you’ll need to go down one level to reach the Changi Lounge. From T1 arrivals you are already on the correct floor and the Changi Lounge is only short walk into the complex.
The Early Check-in Lounge, where you can check in for your flight for certain airlines many hours (and in some cases even days) before your departure time, is directly opposite the Changi Lounge.
This is ideal because for many access schemes you will need a valid boarding pass to use the lounge. Click here to find out if your airline offers Early Check-in at Changi.
If you are arriving from T3 or T2 you will need to take the link bridge to Jewel then follow the signs for the Changi Lounge. If you are arriving from T4 you will first need to get the shuttle bus to T2, then take the link bridge.
Lounge access – paid
With the Changi Lounge being located in the land-side Jewel complex in the public area of the airport, it is not used as a contract lounge for Business or First Class passengers departing on any specific airline.
Instead you can access the lounge either through direct payment (advance booking or walk-up is permitted), or using a lounge access membership programme.
In all cases if you access by paying the lounge directly, you do not have to be travelling on a flight to or from the airport and will be able to use the lounge for any 3-hour period of your choice.
Access rates are as follows:
| 3 hours (without shower) |
3 hours (including shower) |
|
| Adult | S$38 | S$50 |
| Child (age 3-12) | S$27 | S$39 |
| Time extension | S$10/hr | |
| Add-on shower | S$12 | n/a |
Children aged 2 and below are admitted free.
Lounge access – membership
DragonPass members can use the lounge at any time of day, before or after their flight, with a valid same-day inbound or outbound boarding pass. For example in this case you could visit in the morning, even though your flight is departing in the evening.
Most of our readers will be using Priority Pass for access, like we did for this review. In this case you must be travelling on a flight departing from Changi Airport in the next four hours (for example, for a 3.45pm departure access is available from 11.45am).
Alternatively you can use a Priority Pass visit to access the lounge after a flight arriving into Changi Airport at any time on the same calendar day. Remember to keep hold of your inbound boarding pass.
You are limited to 3 hours of lounge access whether you are using the lounge before or after departure. Access includes use of the shower facilities. The same rules apply (as for Priority Pass) if you are using LoungeKey or Lounge Club to visit the Changi Lounge.
Lounge access – summary
The following table summarises the access policy.
| Before Flight (same day) | After Flight (same day) | Any Time (24/7) | ||
| > 4 hrs to STD | < 4 hrs to STD | |||
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If you are using the Changi Lounge prior to a departing flight, we would recommend leaving for your gate at least an hour before your departure time for T1/2/3, and probably 1.5 hours before departure for T4, to allow sufficient time.
Intermodal concept
The Changi Lounge also serves intermodal transfer passengers arriving in Changi, who are transferring onward to cruises or ferries from maritime terminals in Singapore.
The idea is to provide a more seamless experience for those guests, allowing them to relax at the airport for a while as their luggage is delivered directly to their ship cabin for example.
General lounge seating
The main lounge seating area is made up of a number of spaces for groups, with smaller clusters of seats for couples and individuals.
Most seating options comprise sofas or low armchairs, generally with either a coffee table or side table.
Some of the seats also have their own table lamp, though the general lighting in the lounge is very good, so they are more decorative than functional.
The more prevalent seating for larger groups in this lounge compared with others we’ve visited may be something to do with the ‘intermodal concept’ for cruise passengers, who tend to be a more sociable bunch than your average business traveller.
Nonetheless there are still plenty of options for couples or solo travellers, though this lounge hasn’t gone down the ‘productivity pod’ route, where you can be almost completely enclosed in a private space of your own.
The back of the lounge near the business area is the quietest place to sit, as we did notice with the open front that some ambient noise from the Jewel shopping mall does creep in the closer to the entrance you are.
The lounge was very quiet during our visit and there was no shortage of choice when it came to seating – almost every option was available.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi in this lounge was easy to connect to and extremely fast, as you’d expect with the Jewel being a brand new facility.
With the exception of the United Polaris SFO, this is the fastest lounge Wi-Fi we have ever recorded, so you’ll have no problem getting some productive work done here if you need to.
If the Changi Lounge Wi-Fi network fails for whatever reason you also have two other free networks to fall back on with a good signal – the airport Wi-Fi and the Jewel public Wi-Fi.
Power sockets
There is an abundance of multi-standard power sockets throughout the Changi Lounge, with up to two sockets and two USB plugs per seat in some cases.
The sockets are all labelled ‘for phone use only’ but we’re not sure why and can’t see any reason they would not support charging of other devices such as tablets and laptop computers.
Business facilities
At the back of the lounge there is a business area. Here you’ll find four iMac computers along a desk with reading lights and some workspace either side in case you have some documents to spread out or prefer to use your own laptop.
In the corner there is a printer, which can also be used as a photocopier. You can access this using Wi-Fi throughout the lounge so it should be easy to print any documents you need, though we didn’t try it out.
The business area was well lit and quiet. During our visit only one guest used it for a short time but otherwise it was fully available.
Reading materials
A small selection of reading materials is provided at the end of the computer workstations in the far corner of the lounge, in the business area.
Meeting rooms
There are two meeting rooms in the Changi Lounge that can be booked at additional charge for 1, 2 or 3-hour periods.
Each meeting room accommodates up to eight people, but the partition between them can also be removed to form a single room allowing up to 16.
Showers
There are three shower suites in the lounge, accessed via a corridor behind the bar.
For us this was where the lounge stood out significantly from many others we’ve visited. We stay in a lot of five star hotels and let us assure you – the finish and fittings in these shower suites is to five star hotel standards. Very impressive.
Each shower suite includes a sink and private toilet, plus there is ample space to store your luggage.
Two towels were provided, plus a floor towel. There are also some basic amenities including a dental kit, comb, razor and a shower cap.
All the finishes are of a very high standard, with two shower head options in the shower itself.
Even a backlit shaving mirror is included, with other lighting to a very high standard and finish.
Toiletries in the shower are the Prija range by Swiss skincare brand GFL and included shampoo, conditioner and bath cream.
These showers even surpassed the standard we saw at the recently opened Marhaba Lounge in Changi T3 (which are also very good), and they put many First and Business Class airline-operated facilities to shame.
Nap room
The nap room in the Changi Lounge has four MetroNaps EnergyPods installed. During our visit one of these was in use, so understandably the lounge staff didn’t want us to go in and take pictures.
Here is an image from the Changi Airport Group showing the sleep pods.
We have never used one of these before, so can’t vouch for how good they are. The cost is S$34 for the first hour, then S$20 per hour extension. This also entitles you to welcome drink and snacks prior or after your rest, however a shower is still charged at S$12 if you want that too.
It may be worth checking the cost of a ‘day-let’ room at the nearby YOTELAIR in Jewel (see our review) as an alternative, with a proper bed and private facilities.
Bar
An impressive bar in the back corner of the lounge serves a selection of alcoholic beverages from 6am to midnight.
Using your Priority Pass to access the lounge entitles you to a complimentary half-pint of Tiger beer, but after that alcoholic drinks are then chargeable.
Here is the alcoholic drinks menu and price list.
As far as the wine selection goes, prices aren’t too unreasonable. The Vivino ratings out of 5 were as follows:
White wine
Ochagavia Medialuna Sauvignon Blanc – Sémillon – 3.2 stars
The Better Half Sauvignon Blanc – 4.0 stars
Corte Giara Pinot Grigio – 3.7 stars
Red wine
- Ochagavia Medialuna Merlot – 3.3 stars
De Luze Croix Du Marquis Merlot – 3.1 stars- Baron Philippe de Rothschild Cabernet Sauvignon – 3.2 stars
- Zonin Chianti – 3.3 stars
Some apples and bar snacks are also available here.
At the far end of the bar is the tea selection and a bean-to-cup coffee machine.
Opposite the bar near the food buffet there is a fridge with self-service soft drinks.
Dining area
Alongside the bar there is a dining area with one large table seating up to 10 people and a number of smaller tables for individuals or couples.
The tables for two are in located at the back corner.
Food
The lounge provides a time-appropriate food selection in the dining area. During our visit they were serving a lunch buffet.
We understand from some of our readers that the food selection is very limited between midnight and 6am, so bear that in mind if you’re planning a nighttime visit.
The selection starts with some spring rolls and sweet potato rolls with a dip. There is also a mushroom soup and a DIY salad station with three different dressings.
Further along there are some nachos and finger food like beef with melon and cream puffs (which had run out).
Accompaniments were sautéed mixed mushroom or mixed vegetables in garlic and oyster sauce.
The main lunch selection was either Chicken Curry with Rice, or fried Bi Tai Bak and Sole Fillet.
Finally there is ice cream for dessert.
I tried the chicken curry with steamed rice during our visit and it was very good. Overall the food seems high quality, though the options are a little short of what you might expect to receive at a bigger lounge.
An extra main course option or perhaps some grab-and-go sandwiches would be a nice addition.
It’s worth noting that the lounge also offers a more substantial premium dining menu, with cook to order dishes available at additional charge.
Lounge decor
We thought the Changi Lounge was beautifully furnished with some interesting decorative pieces.
There are fresh flowers and lots of plants to complement the sofas and seats, which are generally in pastel colours with a few bold statements here and there.
There are also a couple of light wood feature bookcases including ornaments and plants, with attractive recessed lighting.
The decorative standard is very high and the colours and lighting used generates a nice peaceful atmosphere throughout the lounge.
Summary
We were very impressed by the Changi Lounge, which has been tastefully decorated and has fantastic showers.
Effectively this is also an arrivals lounge, with Priority Pass holders among others able to use one of their annual visits after landing in Changi. We see that as one of its biggest benefits, since there are already a good selection of Priority Pass lounges and pay per use options in the airside area.
It could be very useful if you land early in the morning and your hotel room isn’t ready, giving you the opportunity to freshen up with a shower and relax before heading downtown.
Slightly negative aspects were some ambient noise from Jewel, especially if you are seated near the lounge entrance, the charge for alcoholic drinks and the somewhat limited complimentary food selection.
Overall though our impression was a positive one, particularly useful for those holding an unlimited Priority Pass or similar lounge access membership.
| Review Summary | ||
| 4 / 5 among third-party lounges |
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Changi Lounge, Jewel Singapore Changi Airport An excellent new land-side lounge option, either before or after your flight at Changi. We were very impressed by the fantastic showers and attractive bar. Food was a little limited but good, and the decor and finish of the lounge is top notch. |
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| Visited: July 2019 |
(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)