Lounge Review: The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
The Emirates Lounge in Terminal 1 of Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) undergone refurbishment last year for five months and the new First and Business Class lounge was unveiled in 2017. The last time that I visited this lounge was back in 2014 when I still held Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold status and the lounge was looking a lot more dated then. Since I was traveling to Dubai from Singapore in Business Class, I had access to The Emirates Lounge - this is also accessible to passengers traveling in First Class as well as Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in Economy Class.
Seating Area
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
One of the perks of traveling in Business Class on Emirates is the complimentary chauffeur-drive service. Since my flight was scheduled to depart at 9:50AM, the latest pick-up time that I could book was 6:50AM since a three hour minimum is enforced for the Chauffeur-drive service in Singapore. The Emirates Lounge in Changi Airport is located above Gate C1 in Terminal 1 and it is only a short stroll away from the boarding gate. I really love how much more modern the new lounge looks - it reminded me of the one in Melbourne that I visited back in 2016.
Workstations
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Since I got there fairly early, the lounge was actually quite empty so I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures. Nimi, who was one of the lounge staff there left a lasting impression - she spotted me with my camera and immediately came over to introduce herself. She was also extremely friendly and honestly at 7:00AM in the morning, seeing someone who is so bright and cheerful is truly a sight for sore eyes. If you do not travel with a laptop (honestly, who doesn't in this day and age?!), there is an area located at one of the corners in the lounge where you will be able to find four workstations.
View of the Runway
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
The Emirates Lounge in Changi Airport adopts the airline's new design concept which features leather armchairs as well as walnut wood finishes. As you enter the lounge, you will notice a cosy seating area which is probably more suitable for travellers who are simply after a drink. The different seating areas of the lounge cater towards different groups of travellers but I particularly enjoy the seats that look out to the runway - this is where every aviation geek should aim to sit!
View of the Runway
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
The Emirates Lounge looks out to plenty of Singapore Airlines planes as well as the runway so you can do a pretty sick time-lapse video if you have the luxury of time.
Different Seat Configurations
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
There is also a dedicated dining area located towards the back of the lounge and this is where you will find proper dining chairs and tables instead of the comparatively more comfortable and lower leather armchairs which are more suitable for lounging.
Since I visited The Emirates Lounge at approximately 7:30AM, breakfast was being served - all the food served in the lounge are halal and you can help yourself to the food at the buffet station. There is a pretty decent selection of hot and cold dishes so you can pick and choose what you want - the poached eggs with hollandaise sauce were also done perfectly to my surprise.
Wide Selection of Alcoholic Beverages
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
As Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett would tell you (or more accurately, sing to you), it's five o'clock somewhere so feel free to help yourself to the wide range of alcohol in the lounge. Honestly, you could probably make most of the classic cocktails from this range - I was really contemplating on making myself a solid negroni but since I was traveling for work, I decided to give my liver a break that very morning.
Dining Area
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
As mentioned earlier, the dining area in The Emirates Lounge distinguishes itself from the rest of the lounge by having proper dining tables and chairs. While some airport lounges that I have been to expect travellers to somehow eat on the plush leather chairs, this is not something that you will have to worry here. In fact, after placing my plate of food on the table, Nimi actually came back to place a set of cutleries by my plate which I thought was a nice gesture.
Breakfast
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
As I remember from my visit back in 2014, the food in The Emirates Lounge is delicious and the poached egg itself was perfect - beautifully-done without being overcooked. While The Qantas Lounge (which is not opened in the morning) probably has the best coffee in Changi Airport where lounges are concerned, the one here isn't too shabby as well.
Plush Leather Seats
The Emirates Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
One of the newest addition to The Emirates Lounge here in Singapore is a prayer room and even though Changi Airport has always had the prayer rooms located across the different terminals, having it in the lounge makes it more convenient for some travellers. Having been to a number of airport lounges here in Changi Airport, I dare say that the Emirates Lounge ranks amongst my top three favourites and I am really digging the relatively-new contemporary look.
The Travel Club Lounge in the Satellite Terminal of KLIA might be a good spot to work before your flight, but the subpar food and beverage offerings make it a poor choice for those seeking quality refreshments.