Emirates Singapore Lounge
The brand new Emirates Lounge at Singapore Changi airport is once again open, having undergone a five-month long refurbishment, and it's now very much a new style, new class lounge in Emirate's latest design, both for direct flights to Dubai, and for triangular routes that either pop into Colombo on the way, or stop off in Singapore en-route from Sydney.Singapore Emirates lounge review
The brand new Emirates Lounge at Singapore Changi airport is once again open, having undergone a five-month long refurbishment, and it's now very much a new style, new class lounge in Emirate's latest design, both for direct flights to Dubai, and for triangular routes that either pop into Colombo on the way, or stop off in Singapore en-route from Sydney.
The Singapore Emirates Lounge is located in the old Terminal 1 and is easy to find, located almost right above the Skytrain station in terminal 1. Take the stairs opposite the French cafe beside the electronics shop, and the lounge is around the corner opposite the rainforest lounge.
The Singapore Changi Airport Emirates Lounge itself is no longer the capital of bling after the revamp, but adding to the feeling that you've entered another world is the way the lounge hits you in the face with what is unsubtly known as Dubai Chic: The lounge is full of gold, and tan leather. Welcome to Dubai.
There are still the same Italian marble floors and walnut wood finishes. Amenities include a full complimentary hot buffet with a dining area, the bar is impressive and free, there are shower suites, a prayer room, and a business centre. At a stretch it will fit 222 people, but that's with every seat not piled high with passenger's luggage, which it often is.
The lounge is in a large U shape, with a couple of main rooms, and windows overlooking a green bit of the cactus garden, and the area where the backpacker's outside wine bar is located.
The Emirates Singapore Lounge is divided between dining and relaxing. There are two large wall hung TVs, which generally show CNN, and huge wooden pillars.
Don't miss the famous water feature which tinkles throughout the lounge.
Food
The Food in the Singapore Emirates Lounge is very good, laid out on a sideboard opposite the main dining chairs. Alas getting hold of one of these chairs can be a little tricky at peak times.Reflecting its status both as a combined First and Business lounge food is a little better than you might expect. In large tureens there are hot dishes with lamb tagine, pasta, noodles, and fish, along with a heated cupboard with sausage rolls (chicken sausage of course) and meat pies.
There is the standard round fridge, with cold items on small individual plates for individual portion, and the salads are really good. Singapore is one of the few places in Asia where you can trust the salads. Next to it in the fridge is a big bowl of salad, along with some desserts in mini-bowls.
There are also desserts, which are beautifully presented, but many of them are very dry, as is common with Emirates lounges.
Reflecting local tastes, there are some types of fish cooked in batter, along with local delights such as satay and fried rice.
There are normally three waiters, and sometimes even the chef, hanging around the buffet, and as soon as an item is taken they go away and make another one.
Bar
Of course, the main attraction is always the bar, which is fully stocked with some excellent Kiwi wines, including three whites (with generally Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, along with a Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris) plus three reds.
There are bottles of Moet Champagne in the fridge and in the bucket on the worktop.
Spirits however are rather bland, with just the usual Emirates selection. Beer is Heineken and Tiger beer.
There are two bar areas: both by the entrance as you come in, and in the dining area.
Bathrooms
There are also showers, with one male and one female, in the bathrooms.Towels and amenity kits are handed out by the attendants.
There is also one solitary massage chair, by the main door.
Business Facilities
Computers are fairly good, with four desktop PCs with a lightning fast internet connection. However, they are in a very odd location, in a corner of the main lounge, where you feel everyone is staring at you.Power sockets are standard UK/Singapore, and can be found in the far wall.
Boarding calls are actually made in the lounge, and staff will come around and tell you that the flights are boarding. LCD Screens with boarding information and timings are also available throughout the lounge.
Wifi is available in the lounge, and overnight it is very fast, but in the mornings and early evening, it slows to a crawl.
The magazine rack in the lounge is far better than average.
Access
The Emirates Singapore Lounge is now available for economy passengers, who can just buy their way in on the door for US$100 when travelling with Emirates, or on an Emirates codeshare flight operated by Qantas.Of course there is free access to Emirates first class and business class passengers. Qantas first class and business class guests are also welcome, although Qantas does operate its own brand new lounge at Singapore Airport.
Emirates Skywards Gold, Platinum and iO cardholders flying with Emirates or Qantas get access, as do Qantas Gold, Platinum, Platinum One and Chairmans Lounge members travelling with Emirates or Qantas.
Video: Emirates Lounge
Amazing dining