Lounge Review: The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

When I traveled to Auckland recently, I booked myself onto the Suites Class on Singapore Airlines. As some of you might know already, Singapore Airlines does not operate the Airbus A380 from Singapore to Auckland all year round but only during the extended Summer period only (generally October to March). Redeeming your miles for Suites is excellent value so you should definitely check out the list of cheapest suite class redemption on Singapore Airlines from Singapore. One of the things that I was looking forward to was to check out The Private Room at Terminal 3 of the Changi Airport. 

What is The Private Room?

The Private Room is arguably the most exclusive airport lounge in the whole of Changi Airport. While the airport is home to many brilliant airport lounges (even paid ones like the Plaza Premium Lounge!), The Private Room is by far the most privileged one that I have visited. Having Star Alliance Gold will not even get you close to this lounge if you are not traveling on First Class. The Private Room is tucked away quietly inside the First Class Lounge of the SilverKris Lounge so yes, it is indeed a lounge within a lounge. 

Individual Throne Seats
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Since I managed to get my boarding pass from Singapore to Auckland ticketed in Hong Kong, I did not have to go through the whole immigration process and therefore I guess you can say that I have missed out on the First Class check-in experience. Upon arriving at the SilverKris Lounge after landing in Singapore from Hong Kong, I was quickly escorted through the First Class lounge and into The Private Room by the first person I saw there. 

Dining Room
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Since everyone looked pretty important and affluent there, I did not want to risk myself getting assassinated on a later part of the trip - I therefore took all of the photos in The Private Room with my trusty iPhone 7 Plus so do bear with me if the photos are not up to the usual standards. After being asked whether I would like to sit in the dining room or the lounge, I decided to settle down on one of these Throne Seats (well, they are not really called that but I just named them so because they make you feel super important) before someone came to ask me if I would like something to drink - I was not offered a menu and therefore I went straight for the simplest thing that I know every good lounge would have - iced water (nope, not Champagne in case you were wondering). A bottle of Evian was cracked open in front of me and poured into a glass filled with ice before it was placed down gently next to me. 

Private Bathroom
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Bathroom Amenities
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Shortly after that, I decided that it would be wise to take a quick shower before my ten hour flight from Singapore to Auckland and so I approached one of the staff who showed me to the bathroom. Unlike some other lounges where you actually have to wait for your turn, you simply proceed to the private shower rooms here at The Private Room. In fact, the room is actually large enough for you to place your bags and luggage with plenty of room to spare. 

Similar to what you get in First Class and Suites on-board the Singapore Airlines flight, you will find lotions and cologne provided by Salvatore Ferragamo and a bunch of other grooming products. 

Shower Room
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Having a shower during a layover is always a great idea - even more so when the shower experience is complemented by little jets because let's face it, regular shower heads are just not enough. Shampoo and body gel are both provided from a dispenser which I honestly think that The Private Room could do better. 

Fish Maw Soup
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Assorted Satay
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

Of course, the best part of The Private Room has got to be the Champagne and the food menu. My poison of choice here in The Private Room? The Charles Heidsieck 2005 Brut Millésimé definitely. Since Singapore Airlines is currently running a Teochew promotion (you may check out how the dishes actually look like in reality here on MileLion) but more importantly, since I have been away from Singapore for a while, I could not help but to order those special items on the menu - namely the Fish Maw Soup and Kway Chap (uh-huh!). The Fish Maw Soup was absolutely delicious - it was filled with generous ingredients, the consistency was good and the standards were that of a decent restaurant outside. 

Oh, you also do not give up the opportunity to order Satay from The Private Room just because it is there and it is almost customary to do so. 

Kway Chap
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

In case you are not a Singaporean (or even if you are!) and you are wondering what is up with these exotic food from The Private Room, keep in mind that there is a regular menu for more Westernised tastebuds - you know, lobster and all that jazz. I could not resist ordering myself a bowl of Kway Chap since I was craving for something hearty and it was surprisingly good - the soup was really rich and the individual components were all done quite well (just don't expect to find the intestines or pig skin here though!). 

Dining Room
The Private Room by Singapore Airlines (Changi Airport)

The Private Room has this pin-drop silence atmosphere which I do not know if I like - it is really exclusive and quiet which is what I like but at the same time, it feels a little intimidating. The dining experience is definitely one of the best ones that I have had in an airport lounge and to be honest, I did go a little crazy with the food even though I was on my own (I could not finish my meals on the flight!) but I guess I was too excited since it was after all my first visit to The Private Room.