As far as airports around the globe are concerned, we’ve got one of the best right here in sunny Singapore. That’s right, the all-encompassing Changi Airport has everything travellers from all corners of the world could ever want in an airport, and then some. Heck, it even houses a whole mall in the form of Jewel Changi.
Also responsible for currying the favour of vacationers is its many homely airport lounges. In particular, the SATS Premier Lounge 3 has recently undergone a round of refurbishment and is back to its shimmering best. Here’s what you can expect within its revitalised walls, from cushy seating with charging stations to local fare emblematic of Singapore’s multicultural charm.
Image credit: SATS
The SATS Premier Lounge 3 is located on level 3 of Terminal 3 in Changi Airport, within Departure/Transit Lounge West. Passengers who are scheduled for First and Business Class, as well as frequent flyers on SATS-handled airlines, are granted access into all the SATS Premier Lounges in Terminals 1,2, and 3.
Other lounge program premiums contracted to SATS are also permitted into the SATS Premier Lounges, subject to the availability of seats.
Once you’ve made your way into the SATS Premier Lounge 3, you’ll find that there are 2 seating areas. To your left is the Executive Lounge, where only passengers on select travel classes on SATS-partnered airlines and lounge programme premiums are allowed entry. Further up ahead lies the Main Lounge, which seats everyone else.
The exquisite Executive Lounge is a swanky new addition to the premises, and you’ll not want to move a muscle once you’re enveloped by its luxurious ambience. For starters, sink into the lounge’s slew of plush, leather armchairs which are just perfect for when you need a cosy reading nook or to binge watch your favourite Netflix series.
Travellers unwinding in the Executive Lounge are greeted with welcome drinks, platters, and desserts depending on their programme. They can also have their meals served to them without leaving the comfort of their seats. Don’t forget to pair your food with beverages from the mini bar; it’s stocked with canned drinks, as well as a selection of various wines for the sophisticated crowd.
For those on the perpetual grind, there are a couple of private pods at the back of the Executive Lounge for you to boot up your laptops to catch up on emails in peace. They’re fitted with charging sockets, a lamp, and a pull-out desk extension if you need more space. Outside of work, the pods are also great for cosying up with your SO to catch up on the latest movies and shows.
Remember to take a break by slumping into their OSIM massage chair nearby, and letting it work its magic on your weary bones.
Over at the Main Lounge, it’s also equipped with clusters of armchairs to relax on. Moreover, there are larger family booths that seat up to 4, as well as the aforementioned private pods and OSIM massage chairs at your disposal.
For a therapeutic experience, gaze out to the airport’s tarmac as you sip on the lounge’s signature Lion City Blend coffee and watch planes in the distance take off and land.
Should you be looking to freshen up before your flights, the SATS Premier Lounge 3 also has a washroom with shower stalls. They’re stocked with eco-friendly shower gel and shampoo, as well as towels and a hair dryer in each stall to dry yourself off.
Take a look around the lounge, and you’ll find that it’s spruced up with thoughtful pieces of artwork, courtesy of Singapore’s talented pool of local artists and art students.
If you’re observant enough, you’ll spot intricate tiles lining the floor of the lounge. The design of these tiles were conceived by the SATS Global Innovation Hub team. Drawing inspiration from Peranakan tiles, it sports the country’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, and the Crimson sunbird, the unofficial national bird of Singapore.
Right in front of the Executive Lounge, a sprawling screen cycles through masterpieces crafted by students from schools like LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and Singapore Polytechnic’s Media, Arts & Design School.
The Main Lounge houses pieces of art along its walkways too. Here, storied crockery from The Intan, a private Peranakan museum, is displayed for all to see, along with delicate, egg-shaped ceramics crafted by local artist Loh Yan Ling.
Image credit: SATS
Of course, the main draw of any airport lounge is what’s on their menu, and SATS Premier Lounge 3’s is just filled with the best our Little Red Dot has to offer. For starters, SATS has linked up with 6 famous hawkers and F&B brands.
The star-studded lineup includes Boon Tong Kee, Beach Road Prawn Noodle House, Killiney Kopitiam, Downstairs by Song Fa, Rumah Makan Minang, and Ponggol Nasi Lemak. That’s right, travellers need not go through the hassle of queuing up at these crowd magnets to get an authentic taste of Singapore; they can do so right here.
Dig into a hearty serving of Ponggol Nasi Lemak’s fragrant jasmine rice Nasi Lemak, or slurp on a bowl of Beach Road Prawn Noodles. The Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice here is just as good as the ones they dish out at their Balestier Road main branch, while the lounge’s Killiney Kopitiam Mee Siam is a faithful portrayal of what you’d get at their coffee shops islandwide.
Apart from the Big 6, you’ll be able to fill your plates with a sumptuous buffet whose offerings rotate on an occasional basis. The spread will feature iconic Singaporean cuisine curated by SATS’ masterful chefs which includes piping hot bowls of Laksa and Briyani. Curiously, there’s also a resident pasta-making robot chef, whose culinary skills are a sight to behold.
Cap off your meal with treats that are bound to satisfy any sweet tooth. Amongst their dizzying array of deserts are petite Macarons and Caramel Choux, as well as traditional confectioneries like Ondeh Ondeh and Pulut Hitam Chiffon.
There are also a couple of bakes that’ll hit the spot paired with your morning cup of joe if you’ve got an early morning flight to catch. These include fresh loaves of Focaccia, Sourdough, and Fougasse. If you’re not a coffee fanatic, then go for their Forest Berry Tea exclusively served at SATS Premier Lounges, or a reliable cup of hot chocolate to perk yourself up.
With these opulent amenities at your fingertips, it’s definitely a wise choice to head down to Changi Airport a couple of hours earlier to soak in everything SATS Premier Lounge 3 has to offer. Whether you’re an intrepid tourist or a local jetting off, this lounge is where you’d want to be to cure pre-flight hunger pangs, or to simply simmer down before the holiday high sets in.
This post was brought to you by SATS.
Photography by Emmanuele Loza.
Don't need to brave the queues at Boon Tong Kee to get a taste of…
#9 was the talk of the town when it happened.
Try out a different form of exercise to unwind, with cats or dogs as your…
It’s only a 1-hour flight from Bali.
New cafes & restaurants in July 2024 If you’re not busy vacationing around the world,…
BTW, people from Myanmar are known as Burmese not "Myanmese".