Singapore Airlines Business Class Lounge T3 Changi Review

by Christopher O'Keeffe July 30, 2019 1 Comment

When the rankings for World's Best Airline and World's Best Airport are released, you will find Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport at the top. According to Tripadvisor, Singapore Airlines is the Best Airline in the World for 2019, and Skytrax has voted Chaing the Wold's Best Aiport for the 7th year running. With such a long-standing reputation for excellence, it should be safe to assume that when both Singapore Airlines and Changi work in combination, the results are impressive. Here is my review of the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport's Terminal 3. Let's see what the World's Best Airline in the World's Best Airport can produce for its Business Class passengers.

The SilverKris Lounge is located on level 1 and is easily identifiable by its rich wooden panelling and wall-to-ceiling marble. There is also an abundance of Singapore's emblematic purple orchids to welcome you into the front entrance where the lounge staff are waiting. The first thing I notice is that my boarding pass is not given the usual cursory glance, but rather a thorough examination. The reason for this probably arises from the fact that admittance to the SilverKris Lounge is strictly reserved for Singapore Airlines First & Business Class passengers. Star Alliance Gold members travelling in Economy and even Kris Flyer Gold members will be politely redirected to the Kris Flyer Gold Lounge.

This pointy end passenger-only policy is in keeping with Singapore Airlines' long-held practise of favouring their premium passengers over and above their frequent economy flyers. The top tier of Singapore Airlines loyalty program is their Priority Passager Service membership, often referred to as the PPS Club. To reach this exalted status, you will need to collect PPS membership points. However, you can only earn these when you fly First or Business. If you travel a lot with Singapore Airlines, but in Economy, you will receive recognition, but it will be as a KrisFlyer member. And while Elite Gold Krisflyer membership is excellent, it is not PPS Club membership. This approach is very different from most other Airlines where you earn status points in all cabins towards higher membership levels. However, one immediately apparent benefit of this policy is that Singapore Airlines' premier lounge is not bursting at the seams like some of their competitors'.

Having been welcomed by the reception team, I continue down the entranceway to an intersecting light-filled corridor. On my way, I pass the service counters where Singapore Airline staff are helping passengers with their travel-related issues. The comfort of the passenger has been made a priority, with the provision of high-backed ergonomic office chairs. I thought that this was a really nice touch, as most service counters in lounges make you stand.

There is now a choice as to whether to turn right or left. However, the elegant gold signage clearly indicates that if you are travelling First, you head right, and Business Class passengers head left. Not travelling First today, I will have to continue to imagine what delights await within the First Class lounge. 

Stepping through the threshold into Singapore Airlines Business Class lounge is like stepping into an Aladin's cave of luxury. As far as the eye can see, there are comfortable leather armchairs, table lamps, luxurious carpeting and marble pillars. The lighting is warm yet soft with a glow reflecting off of the polished metal ceiling. 

For such an ample space containing a fair number of people, there is a pleasant ambience of quiet conversation. Through the generous use of soft turnings and semi-transparent partitions, the lounge manages to feel open plan without falling into the trap of becoming an echo chamber. As I get older, my pet peeve is trying to converse in cavernous rooms. I have now blacklisted several restaurants purely for their poor acoustics. I refuse to spend a meal smiling and nodding at someone when I have no idea what they are saying.

Running down the entire left-hand side of the lounge are floor to ceiling windows overlooking the main shopping concourse of the terminal; a perfect vantage for those who might prefer more natural light or who just enjoy a spot of people watching. A particularly nice touch is the inclusion of the white orchids throughout the lounge, a gentle reminder that you are still in Singapore.

The Lounge is roughly split in two by a wide marble avenue, with one side dedicated to general relaxation while the other is set up for more formal dining. One of the benefits of owning a fleet of planes is that you can provide your customers with pretty much any newspaper they could want. Located halfway down the avenue to the left-hand side, you will find a wall of international publications to choose from as well as a range of magazines.

I should have mentioned before that I was catching the morning Singapore - Perth flight to give you some context as to the time of day. That being the case, the Lounge was set up for breakfast service, and the variety on offer was as good as most 5-star hotel buffets in Asia. There was a fantastic choice of steamed dim sums, cooked (eggs and sausages), continental, pastries and freshly prepared laksas.

Once I had filled up my plate with some delicious steamed dumplings, I headed over to one of the tables in the dining area. The dining area was also where the tea and coffee machines are to be found but more importantly, the hot chocolate machine. I should make special mention of the hot chocolate maker—some of the best hot chocolate outside of a Lindt Café.

There is a wide range of drinks to choose from kept in huge wall-fridges in the dining area, as well as chilled flavoured waters located on the food counters. Having gone rather too hard at the Pan Pacific's amazing Champagne Sunday Brunch, I was not up to bucks fizz for breakfast on this particular visit. Consequently, I cannot tell you about the lounges morning alcoholic offerings.

I can tell you from previous visits that the champagne on offer is a Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve and is served in good-sized flutes. The last time, however, it was necessary to ask one of the wait staff to bring the champagne as it was not available with the rest of the self-service wine. The wine selection tends to be very good, with both French and Australians generally on offer. The spirits selection is what you would expect for a business class lounge, with all the usual suspects: Johnny Walker Black, Absolut Vodka, Bacardi White Rum and Bombay Saphire Gin. Next time I am visiting Singapore, I will make a point to book a later flight so I can do some more research for you into the bar—my wife will be so pleased.

The toilets and showers are located to the left as soon as you enter the lounge, behind the illuminated black pillars. Before you go in, you should take a look at the clothes freshener cupboards, which are just in front of the entrance. The idea is that if your clothes need some attention, you hang them in this amazing machine and it magically improves their appearance. The bathroom is a massive white room with toilets to the left and multiple counters of sinks to the right. At the back of the room is where you will find the shower cubicles. On the countertops, conveniently placed between the sinks, you will find baskets full of razors, combs, toothbrushes and shaving cream. The lounge is exceptionally appointed for freshening up between flights. Lastly, before you head out, there are automatic shoe polishers to add the final touch. My grandfather always said you could tell a gentleman by his shoes.

Conclusion

The SilverKris Lounge in Changi's Terminal 3 is everything you could hope for in a Business Class Lounge, warm and inviting with an overriding feel of luxury and comfort. The staff are friendly and efficient and are only too happy to help. There is plenty of room to spread out, and whenever I have visited, I have always been able to find somewhere to sit with no trouble. There is plenty of entertainment from the giant TVs and the generous selection of reading materials. The food selection is always excellent, with at least three different styles to choose from, and the drinks selection is more than generous. The amenities, like the rest of the Lounge, are immaculately clean and are full of thoughtful touches, such as the complimentary combs and toothbrushes. Overall, Singapore Airlines and Changi have provided a wonderful haven away from the busy concourse where one can comfortably while away some time and freshen up. 

As always I hope you have enjoyed the review and if you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences of the Lounge, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. 

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