First Look: Aerotel Transit Hotel, Singapore Changi Airport

By James Fordham, May 3 2016
First Look: Aerotel Transit Hotel, Singapore Changi Airport

Aerotel bills itself as a one-of-a-kind airport transit hotel – join us on this first-look feature as we explore what the hotel has to offer, and if staying at the airport can actually be a relaxing experience.

Located in Terminal 1 of Singapore's Changi Airport – the same terminal used by Qantas and British Airways, among others – Aerotel is the first in what will be a family of airport transit-hotels from the Plaza Premium Group, which also operates the Plaza Premium network of airport lounges.

Situated next to Gate D41, Aerotel Singapore lures you in with promises of a swimming pool (with poolside bar), exercise facilities and even a library.

Because the Aerotel is located inside the terminal itself, there's no time lost going through customs and immigration to exit the terminal and then coming back through again.

First impressions when entering are promising - the reception team is accommodating and helpful, and the lobby area is outfitted with funky, modern decor that keeps things looking sharp.

The modern styling continues throughout the hotel, and the hallways feel spacious and clean. 

The rooms are well appointed, with ample closet space, a working desk, and plenty of outlets to get all your devices charged up and ready to go, plus the expected complimentary water, tea and coffee facilities.

Currently Aerotel offers a few different bookable options including twin rooms and single rooms (no doubles, but the beds are generously sized).

Both room types can be booked with or without accompanying meals.

While you won't find all the amenities of a 5-star hotel here, the service offering, decor and presentation are impressive for a transit-hotel, and we couldn't fault the cleanliness or design of the rooms. 

The single rooms are obviously quite a bit smaller and feel more generic than the twin rooms - but for a quick snooze before moving on to your final destination, it's difficult to find a better spot in the airport to relax.

Guests are provided with complimentary toiletries and towels, and bathrooms are surprisingly spacious and feature an enclosed stand-alone shower.

After a long flight, there's arguably no better sight than this!

Once you've rested and relaxed, you'll want to check out the other features of the hotel, including the poolside bar and library.

 

The guest lounge area has ample seating for relaxing or catching up on some work while enjoying a coffee. 

You won't find any barista brews here, but complimentary treats and a coffee machine will suffice for a short stint.

There's also an adequately equipped gym area overlooking the guest lounge, perfect for getting the blood pumping after sitting for a long stretch.

The lounge also features a small library section where you an curl up with a book - while the selection is not exactly huge, if you're sick of staring at a screen it makes a welcome respite.

Perhaps the most engaging feature: Aerotel boasts that it's the only airport transit hotel in Asia with a pool.

The idea of taking a relaxing dip while waiting for a connection sounds perfect to us – and even if you're not staying at the hotel, for US$12 you can purchase a one hour Pool and Jacuzzi pass.

Aerotel Singapore offers bookings in 6-hour blocks, starting at US$39 for a single room and US$50 for the inclusion of a meal, but these can also be extended in hourly increments (from US$14/hour) if required. 

Also read: A beginner's guide to transiting Singapore's Changi Airport

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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Aug 2014

Total posts 216

Great article Siddharth, those room rates are great value... I know where I'm heading on my next 7hr layover at Changi T1.

Incidentally, where else in Asia might a traveller find "in-terminal" transit hotels?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Aug 2014

Total posts 216

Curious to know the food and beverages Aerotel have available at the poolside bar. Did you manage to catch a snap of the menu?

QF

11 Sep 2012

Total posts 20

Bangkok has one which I used a few years back, its arguably not as nice as this, but it does the job. 

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1245

KUL has an airside transit hotel.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 May 2016

Total posts 3

So much better than at KLIA

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1245

Brilliant looking hotel.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

13 Jan 2015

Total posts 584

This is just the old hotel that ive stayed at many times but now its way more expensive

I actually stayed here on 6 April as I had an 8 hour transit time in SIN and I have to say I was disappointed with the overall experience. I paid SGD $105 for a room (which equated to AUD $105 when my credit card statement arrived).  This gave me 6 hours of use. I could have opted for a lower room tariff but as that would have meant a shared bathroom I opted to pay more. Whilst there was obviously no view from the room I did find the room quite claustrophobic. Some complimentary bottled water was provided together with an assortment of tea bags. When I rang reception to ask if I could have a small amount of milk to add to my tea I was promptly told they didn’t have any fresh milk and that I’d have to make do with the powdered stuff. Importantly, the bathroom facilities were good. As it was early evening when I arrived I didn’t get to see or use the pool so I can’t add to the comments already posted. Don’t get me wrong the ability to put your head down and enjoy some privacy is worth a good deal however I am not convinced that what I got was worth AUD $105 for 6 hours. Kind regards to all

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

01 Sep 2011

Total posts 414

Informative. As a suggestion what about a story with a chart of major airports with airside transit hotels, the rates, if they are walk-up or bookable and facilities offered? I think that could be very useful.

04 May 2016

Total posts 34

Yes, such a list would be useful. I have stayed airside in AMS and SIN, and landside in LHR (new Yotel in T4) and CDG (terminal basement hotel no longer exists ?). I also know of KUL, BKK, and DXB. I know there are more.

04 May 2016

Total posts 34

This is the old T1 transit hotel (which I first stayed in over 20 years ago), having now undergone a makeover. You can indeed get a single room with TV but no bathroom for US$39 for 6 hours, which is not too bad. Includes pool and shared bathroom (private shower) access.

For more than that it starts to get expensive.

Much the same thing exists in T2 and T3, without the pool. And seemingly run by a different company. Basic single is SIN$55 (ie about AUD$55).

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

17 Mar 2016

Total posts 43

I stayed here on April 27th to and again on May 2nd after arriving back from Tokyo at 3am at Terminal 3. It was worth the walk around to Terminal 1 to try this brand out. For US$50 it is worth it. It is well insulated from noise. Was large enough in the single room to open my bags and rearrange what I needed and the power outlets were all multi adapted. While it is for a 6 hour stay, the staff were not heavy handed about getting you up and out of your room, except when you do drag things out for over an extra hour. There are multiple channels to watch on TV, mosltly in English. The meal, breakfast in my case was a simple Asian or Western style meal choice, made when booking in and served ready at a time set by you when you get up in the library/lounge area. The meal was small and light but I did not mind with the self served coffee and biscuits. I was able to relax in the lounge and watch TV there before I went through immigration into Singapore feeling refreshed and relaxed before my flight back to Sydney that night. This is a better value option than the transit hotels in Terminal 2 & 3 or a full scale hotel in Singapore when arriving late at night.Graeme Bray

10 Aug 2015

Total posts 115

Yes this is a handy feature of Changi, although if you are connecting without luggage tagged to the final destination one still has to exit, collect luggage, store that at the luggage storage (landside), return to hotel, wake, go through immigration, collect luggage, check in and then immigration.

The pool is lovely if you have a 2 hour or more connection. It is, if I recall from last month, $SG19 includinhg a soft drink. It is staffed by friendly people and is a nice break from the corporate / branded experience that are most lounges.


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