COVID-19 has claimed its first lounge casualty at Singapore Changi Airport, and perhaps it’s the most inevitable one, with confirmation that The Haven by JetQuay in the public area of Terminal 3 has unfortunately ceased operations.
The facility, which first opened in February 2014, was better known as an arrivals lounge owing to its landside location in the public section of the airport.
It also featured 18 ‘nap rooms’ with your own private bed for some post-flight rest, bookable for as little as three hours. That was ideal if you had landed in the early hours of the morning from a long flight, but weren’t going to be able to check in to your hotel room until after lunch.
Shower facilities were also available and the lounge provided basic snacks, tea, coffee and a cook-to-order paid food menu.
Access was via Priority Pass or DragonPass, limited to 3 hours in both cases, or through payment directly on arrival. Alcoholic drinks were chargeable, though Priority Pass members got one free drink included with their admittance.
We reviewed the lounge back in November 2017.
The lounge had been trying to attract additional business in recent months, offering a “Work From Haven” package
The lounge had also been offering wine evenings, with complimentary food platters for groups of five.
We noticed recently however that the lounge entrance on Terminal 3’s public arrivals level has now been boarded up.
Enquiries with JetQuay confirmed that the lounge has now been closed.
“We regret to advise that Haven lounge ceased its operations in December 2020.”
JetQuay
The main JetQuay private CIP terminal facility continues to operate, and indeed has been offering its own work package and event space rental.
What happened?
The opening of Jewel in April 2019 was likely the first nail in the coffin for The Haven. That’s because a brand new landside lounge, accessible by arriving or departing passengers, with excellent showers and nap pods, had effectively become a better option.
That lounge is the Changi Lounge, just steps from the Terminal 1 arrivals area, though it’s a good 10-minute walk from Terminals 2 and 3. Check out our review of the facility from July 2019.
For those wanting a few hours sleep in a bedroom with private ensuite facilities, Jewel even boasted its own ‘capsule hotel’ from day one – the YOTELAIR Changi, which we reviewed on its opening night in April 2019.
For those looking for a short pre- or post-flight nap, day use rates at the YOTEL start at S$75++ for 4 hours.
These brand new facilities were starting to make the future viability of The Haven look doubtful.
An almost complete drop in business inevitably followed this year due to COVID-19, and the fate of this lounge looks as though it was finally sealed last month.
Summary
It’s never nice to be reporting on fewer lounge options at Changi Airport, but the recent newer and more modern offerings at the Jewel complex, including the Changi Lounge and the YOTEL, had probably put the long-term viability of The Haven by JetQuay on shaky ground even before COVID-19.
While many airside lounges at Changi remain temporarily closed, including the latest excellent additions in Terminal 1 like the Qantas Singapore First Lounge and the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge, we predict these will all be brought back into operation as passenger numbers hopefully begin to recover.
If you’re looking for an arrivals lounge or hotel offering hourly rates for a short stay at Changi, then aside from the options mentioned above in Jewel you can also consider the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, attached to Terminal 3 and offering Day Use Rooms for 8 hours.
(Cover Photo: JetQuay)