Singapore for a stopover

Last updated 5 October 2020

A Quick Singapore Fling

Take a peek at my on-line review for the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel in the Ultimate Travel Magazine.com

I only had one afternoon and a night. Should have stayed longer – but Vietnam beckoned.  Was an ideal way to break up my trip and the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel is the perfect place to stay for so many reasons – not only it’s five star rating:

1. Easy access

A 10 min WALK from the baggage carousel to Hotel Reception – forget about queuing for taxis and wasting time in traffic travelling to your inner city Hotel.  I was in my room literally 15 mins after collecting my bags – looking out at this divine pool.

Leave terminal 2 via the bridge platform to Terminal 3 follow the signs to the Crowne Plaza. Take the lift to Level 1 and turn left straight into the entrance of the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel.

2. Resort style

Designed to ensure their guests leave feeling refreshed. How? With clever design elements including the use of curves, water and tropical plants combined with a fresh and inviting palette of colours. They call it contemporary Asian – an interesting blend of Malaysian, Indonesian and Chinese influences.  You have to keep reminding yourself you’re adjacent to one of the world’s busiest airports!  And for any light sleepers – no need to worry – I never heard a plane rumble and I’m one of the lightest sleepers. If you want to watch planes land and take off you can request a “runway view room” – which as the name implies overlooks the airport. No doubt the room reserved by plane enthusiasts (or families wanting to keep their kids entertained!)  Windows in these rooms are double glazed to reduce the noise.

3. Suit families/business travellers or single travellers like myself!

The rooms have been themed around “calm nature.”  Just what one needs after a long flight. They all feature natural light, soothing colours (check the pics) and block out curtains. I was lucky to have a King Bed Deluxe Club room which looked straight out to the incredible pool, (which I had to try 5 minutes after entering my room.) Sneaking through a door straight onto the pool deck was a bit special! Palm trees block the plane tails sitting on the tarmac directly behind the pool deck. Look hard and you are reminded the airport is our neighbour.

4/ Relax or workout

The choice of four spa treatment rooms where you can have your jet lagged body massaged or enjoy a facial. The gym has 24 hours access to stretch the cramped muscles.

Or if you prefer a drink and a game of pool, head to the funky looking Bar 75 – a sports bar within the Hotel footprint.

5/ Eco friendly Hotel

Nice add on for visitors concerned about the environment. This is a GREEN Hotel which recycles and uses green cleaning materials. An “eco digester” recycles the Hotel’s food waste turning it into grey waste.  The Hotel’s exterior is covered by a three dimensional orchid screen which not only looks cool from a distance, but shades the façade, cooling the building and therefore saving energy.

What to do for one night?

My room included access to the club lounge!  Open from 5.30 – 7.30pm for drinks nibbles with free wifi.  I sat myself in one of these unique Patricia Urquiola designed chairs (discovered they’re around $5,000 each – maybe not be looking to buy one for home!)

Time just slipped by as did a few wines and I was almost ready to skip heading into the Gardens by the Bay (advice I was given was make sure I checked these out.) I was ready to jump into a hot bath.  BUT with only one night in Singapore I resisted the temptation to stay Hotel bound. I found the MRT station (just outside the Hotel) to catch a train and visit these gardens I’d heard so much about.

From the airport MRT station it cost $2.30SIN to the Gardens. The trip was around 35 mins with two changes of trains required.  Don’t be put off by the change of trains – Singapore’s MRT is one of those transport systems that is highly organised with plenty of warning when to get off and onto the next one.  If you are unsure just ask – the Singapore people are very helpful. From the official at the ticket vending machine who provided the change I needed for my ticket (they only take small notes) to the locals on the trains – it all felt efficient, friendly and safe.

Gardens by the Bay is easy to find. From the circle or downtown line get off at the Bayfront MRT station and follow the signs. Take Exit B via the underground link, exit and cross either the Dragonfly Bridge or the Meadow Bridge leading into the Gardens by the Bay. Look up and you will see the silhouette of that incredible piece of architectural design – the Marina Bay Sands shopping centre/ Hotel.

At night the whole area is breathtaking and magical. The gardens are filled with statues of various creatures.

But it’s the tree sculptures standing tall against the hazy sky that capture the attention. Towering 60 feet in the air these tall monoliths are wrapped in greenery with an intricate array of lights. 

Spectacular at night, they must be very different in daylight.  It’s a shame the hour was so late as many of the exhibits were closed.  (Blame the club lounge! Ah well, next time.)

This slightly tired female was venturing out on her own at 9pm – wandering through darkened gardens – not considering whether this was a safe thing to do. There were a few people around – it was not crowded but I felt safe.  In general I’ve not heard any reports of Singapore being unsafe to venture out on your own. I know I was only exposed to a very limited section of Singapore, but prior reading and talking to people who’d visited –  rate Singapore as clean, organised and “safe.”  Rather than messing with the trains, I took a taxi back to the Hotel which cost $26SIN and took about 20 mins.

I’m so glad I made the effort to see the Gardens.  It was spectacular even though it was a humid night. The thick haze caused by plantation burnoff from Indonesia didn’t help either! But the best part of the night was returning to my comfortably appointed hotel room and running a bath!

In summary:

This Hotel offers guests more than most city hotels. Whether passing through Singapore or staying for longer, try the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel – a Transit hotel with a difference.