The Private Room at Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the most exclusive lounges in the world. Coveted by every frequent flyer, access is invitation only and you must be flying on Singapore Airlines’ First Class or Suites Class. Unusually, access isn’t available to anyone flying First Class on any other Star Alliance member, so your only chance of ever visiting The Private Room is by flying First or Suites with Singapore.
I had quite a few hours to kill (a whopping 9 hours!!!) between my Sydney to Singapore First Class flight and my Singapore to Frankfurt Suites flight, so spent a few hours in the afternoon shopping in Singapore and then the evening in The Private Room.
The Private Room Location at Singapore Changi Airport
Level 3 of Terminal 3. One level above the main departure concourse. The Private Room is essentially a lounge within a lounge within a lounge, it’s incredible really and something so rare. You first have to walk through the SilverKris lounge and provide your boarding pass, then you have to walk through the First Class lounge (which is open to all Star Alliance First Class passengers and Singapore Airlines elite members.
You walk down a long corridor and at the very end is The Private Room. You can only use the lounge if you’re arriving in First Class and connecting onto a Singapore Airlines flight in either First Class or Business Class, or if you’re arriving at the airport and travelling onwards in First Class on Singapore Airlines. You cannot use the lounge if you arrive as a Business Class passenger and then go onto a Business Class flight, and you cannot use the lounge if you’re flying First Class on another Star Alliance airline.
Shower Facilities
With the early morning flight and then the nine hour flight from Sydney, I took full advantage of the shower facilities at The Private Room. I loved the spacious shower rooms and the fact there was no time limit on your shower time unlike some other lounges. But I do struggle to understand why Singapore don’t provide ultra-luxury toiletry products in the showers, with the in-built shampoo and conditioner containers unbranded. Additionally, there are strangely no toilets in the private shower rooms. Amenities provided include razors and shaving foam, dental kits, and a hairdryer is also available.
Bar
The Private Room doesn’t have its own tended bar, but the First Class lounge you have to walk through to get to The Private Room does, and you’re welcome to use this.
Food and Drink
The food is without a doubt the best lounge food I have ever enjoyed. As well as a small buffet in the corner, there is also a full service complimentary restaurant menu cooked-to-order by a chef. There’s a beautiful and elegant restaurant-style dining room with more than enough seating.
It’s very traditional with white table clothes and silver service. You’re also able to eat on the more relaxed comfortable seats if you wish. I chose the Baked Chilean Sea Bass Papillote which was just exceptional, but they also had Singaporean, Indian, and Chinese dishes.
The dessert options were disappointing, with just ice-creams available or a couple of small local dishes. They did have chocolates and some little cakey bits at the buffet, but given the size of the a la carte menu you would expect a more extensive dessert section.
Just like onboard, Singapore Airlines offer Dom Pérignon in The Private Room, an unusual move when most airlines reserve their most well-regarded Champagnes for onboard and serve the cheaper ones in their lounges (although no Krug in the lounge, that really is reserved for onboard only). I declined the champagne however, and chose a sensual Jasmine Monkey Tea from their list of TWG teas.
Seating Areas & Work Spaces
The Private Room is essentially one big, long room with the restaurant area off to one side, a family room (complete with seating and a sink and baby changing area), and a couple of private rooms for working or making calls. There are a couple of TV areas and then the private shower rooms.
The main room features high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows running the length of the room on one side. WiFi is available but slow, and at the end of the long room is a small business centre with a desk area and computer sat behind a high partition wall.
Extras
There are plenty of newspapers and magazines at the entrance, and plenty of power points throughout the lounge (although no USB points). The staff were incredible and very welcoming, remembering every guest by name and personally informing guests of any flight delays.
Final Thoughts
Given the exclusivity and reputation of the lounge I was actually very underwhelmed. I was disappointed that they don’t offer extra complimentary services such as spa treatments, like Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and other airlines do to their First Class passengers in their lounges.
I was also disappointed about the lack of a bar, it really would make a massive difference to have an intimate cocktail bar actually within The Private Room rather than travellers having to go into the First Class lounge. It just feels so lacking, as if it’s missing that special something extra to make the lounge memorable. It’s a very nice lounge and certainly an experience, but not one I’ll rush back for.