My layover in Singapore was just over three hours, as I was arriving from Melbourne shortly before 3PM, and departing to Kuala Lumpur at 6:40PM. Thanks to the fact that I was arriving in first class, I’d have access to the Singapore Airlines Private Room, which is Singapore Airlines’ most exclusive lounge.
The last time I reviewed the lounge was over four years ago, so I figured it’s time for an updated review.
The Private Room is located inside the SilverKris Lounge in Changi Terminal 3. Perhaps the coolest part about the Private Room is that it’s a lounge within a lounge within a lounge. You’ll rarely see anything else like that, regardless of how many lounges you have a chance to visit!
First you enter the SilverKris Lounge and present the representatives at the entrance your boarding pass.
SilverKris Lounge Changi Airport entrance
The business class lounge is straight ahead. That’s open to all Star Alliance business class passengers (including those on Singapore Airlines), though isn’t open to Star Alliance Gold passengers, as they have a different lounge. I’ve reviewed the business class lounge not that long ago.
I was then escorted through the First Class Lounge. The First Class Lounge is open to Star Alliance first class passengers, as well as select Singapore Airlines elite members.
Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge Changi entrance
I was walked down that long corridor, and then at the end of that is the entrance to the Private Room, which is open to those traveling in Singapore Airlines First & Suites same day. You can use it if you’re arriving in first class and connecting onto a Singapore Airlines flight in business class without a first class cabin, as was the case for me.
Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge Changi
The process of entering the lounge is sorta fun, since it’s not often you can visit a lounge within a lounge within a lounge.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi entrance
Unfortunately other than the impressive entrance, I actually find the Private Room sort of unremarkable.
The Private Room consists of one long room with dozens of seats. The lounge sort of has cigar bar/library vibes in terms of how it’s furnished. I do like that the lounge has some natural light, given that the business class section of the lounge lacks that.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
Near the entrance the lounge has a variety of magazines and newspapers.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi newspapers & magazines
The lounge has several seating options, though functionally they mostly have the same purpose. That’s to say that the main room doesn’t have any semi-private cubicles, daybeds, etc.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
On the plus side, perhaps not that much privacy is needed, since I always find the lounge to be puzzlingly empty. During my layover there were at most three other passengers, which I can’t really make sense of, given how many flights Singapore Airlines has with first class cabins. I guess the lounge just gets busier in the mornings and evenings, since that’s when the majority of flights depart.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi seating
The lounge has a couple of TV areas. I know I pick up on this more than others, but I really wish they’d have some ambient music in the lounge, rather than just having the TVs on, since you can hear them from much of the lounge. I find ambient music really helps with setting the tone of a place.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi seating
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi seating
As far as other amenities go, the lounge has a couple of private rooms that each have a chair with ottoman. I’d far prefer if they had day beds or real beds, but at the same time any private area is a nice option to have.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
There’s also a family room in the lounge.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi
The lounge’s bathrooms and shower rooms are back towards the entrance. I know I’m nitpicking here, but I’m not a fan of a full time bathroom attendant just standing there, especially when you don’t have “true” private shower rooms or toilets. The individual shower rooms also don’t have toilets.
Singapore Airlines Private Room bathroom
Singapore Airlines Private Room shower
The other major focal point of the lounge is the dining area, which I find to be incredibly elegant. I love the design of this space.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi dining area
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi dining area
Singapore Airlines Private Room Changi dining area
In the corner is a small buffet, which just has some chips, nuts cheese, finger sandwiches, whole fruit, and dessert. I feel like the buffet almost detracts from the experience, since the selection seems roughly like what you’d find in a Priority Pass lounge.
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
Singapore Airlines Private Room buffet
There’s also an extensive a la carte offering.
Singapore Airlines Private Room menu
The menu read as follows:
The drink list read as follows:
There are servers constantly roaming the lounge, not just in the restaurant, but all over. When I got to the lounge I first ordered a cappuccino.
Singapore Airlines Private Room cappuccino
Later on I had a seat in the restaurant, and ordered a glass of champagne. They had 2009 Dom on offer, which is exceptional.
Singapore Airlines Private Room Dom Perignon
Singapore Airlines Private Room dining table
Singapore Airlines is so good with their onboard meal service that I still wasn’t hungry, but figured I should try something. So I just ordered some satay.
Singapore Airlines Private Room satay
Then for dessert I ordered the almond beancurd longan.
Singapore Airlines Private Room dessert
The Private Room has infuriatingly slow Wi-Fi, which I can’t wrap my head around. Is it really that hard to get Wi-Fi right in a lounge?
I spent a bit of time in the lounge working, and then left the lounge at around 5:45PM, since my flight was boarding from Terminal 2 at 6:10PM. There’s a train that goes between terminals.
Singapore Airlines Private Room train
My flight was departing from gate E3, and at Changi security is at each individual gate. Fortunately there was almost no wait, so I was through very quickly.
Singapore Changi departure gate
Talk about a very nice plane for the short flight to Kuala Lumpur!
Singapore Airlines A350 Changi Airport
As expected, boarding started at exactly 6:10PM.
Singapore Private Room bottom line
There’s no lounge that leaves me quite as conflicted as the Private Room, and I’m not exactly sure why.
The lounge is exclusive, quiet, and nicely furnished. Service is friendly, and the food and champagne are excellent.
However, I just don’t get excited about the lounge. That’s to say that I love spending a lot of time in some lounges of Air France, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, etc., while I don’t get that feeling in the Private Room.
I think what it comes down to is that I think the Private Room lacks ambiance (there’s no music, there’s TV on in the background, and it’s outrageously quiet otherwise), and lacks any other exciting amenities.
The lounge has good food, but the problem is that Singapore Airlines’ onboard catering is excellent and plentiful, so I feel like I’m never actually hungry when in the lounge.
I wish they’d do something to add some pizzaz to the lounge, whether that comes in the form of spa treatments, nap rooms, or anything. Ideally functioning, fast Wi-Fi would be nice as well.
While this isn’t my favorite lounge in the world, it does rank in my list of the world’s top 11 first class lounges, but only barely. The airline will soon be renovating this lounge, so I’ll be curious to see what exactly they do with it.
If you’ve visited the Private Room, what was your experience like? Anyone else have a lukewarm feeling towards it?
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