I’d just had the most incredible plane experience of my life and was getting ready to head to the gate for the second leg of heaven in Singapore Airlines Suites when it happened.
Our flight was delayed. Until the morning.
It was now around 1am and I couldn’t believe I was facing a night in the airport.
The staff hit the phones to try to find a hotel room for me but an A380 carries a whole lot of people and we weren’t the only ones scrambling for a room.
Sadly all of the close rooms had already been snapped up, and when they offered to put me in a taxi to a hotel that would take half hour or so to get to along with dealing with immigration and security all over again it was all a bit too much.
Instead I opted to sleep in the airport. Luckily for me I happened to be in Singapore Airlines’ Private Room, the most exclusive airport lounge I’ve ever experienced, so I found a meeting room, pushed an ottoman up against a big chair, slept under the airline’s Givenchy blankets and woke to a breakfast with Veuve Clicquot.
Yes it could have been a whole lot worse, and if I’d been flying in my usual cheap seats up the back of the plane I would not have been a happy girl at all.
It was then I realised how important it is to know the hotels closest to my favourite airport. So I’ve put together a bit of a list.
This is for everyone who has an early morning flight out of Changi Airport and wants to be close, for those who want a little break between long haul flights to freshen themselves, and for those who have just discovered their flight has been delayed and are desperate for a shower and a good lie down.
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport – 0km away
If only every airport had a hotel like this one, I’d be checking into them all over the world.
The Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport has lovely rooms, a big bath, strong shower and a super comfortable bed.
There are runway view rooms for plane spotters and I have absolutely no idea how they managed to make the rooms so quiet when there’s a plane taking off or landing at Changi every 100 seconds or so. Seriously, when I stayed there I heard the occasional gentle sound in the distance and that was it.
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The swimming pool is beautiful and you can float around under palm trees while looking up at the iconic Changi air traffic control tower.
And the hotel does a great breakfast, with a range of Asian and Western options. The only problem with this hotel is you’ll be having so much fun you may be tempted to miss your plane.
The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is linked to Terminal 3 by covered walkways, which means you can be in your room before some of the other people from your flight have even gotten into a taxi. Winning.
Ambassador Transit Hotels – 0km away
You may not step out into the open air when you stay at the Crowne Plaza, but with this hotel you don’t even need to get your passport out.
Changi’s Ambassador Transit Hotels are on the air side of the airport, that’s the side of immigration that the planes fly in and out of, so there really is no closer hotel.
These hotels are located in all three of Changi’s terminals and are a rather simple affair, but they are a chance to wash the flight off you in a hot shower and sleep in a real bed.
They also take bookings for just six hours or more, so it’s not like you’re paying for a whole day and night when you only need a few hours.
But you do need to know that a lot of people love the convenience of Changi’s transit hotels so they can book out weeks in advance. This is one where you’ll want to plan ahead rather than walking up to reception on the day.
Capri By Fraser, Changi City – 5km away
You will have to leave the airport for this one, but you won’t have to go far.
Capri by Fraser, Changi City is a short taxi ride away and has 313 studios complete with kitchenettes.
There’s a spa if you want to treat yourself and massage any travel aches away, swimming pool with hydro treadmill, steam and sauna facilities and a poolside bar when it’s time for a cocktail or cold beer.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle bus, or if you don’t have much luggage and want to go at a different time you can also take a short walk to the MRT station and it’s just five minutes on the train to the airport.
Village Hotel Changi – 10km away
Found in the tree-lined village of Changi, the hotel is next to nature reserves and wetlands, so you can go bike riding through nature areas before grabbing a bite to eat.
The Village Hotel Changi has five restaurants and cafes, or you can nip outside to the Changi Village Hawker Centre if you want to watch the outside world go by.
The hotel has two pools, my favourite being the one on the roof which has views out over the sea and is a top spot to watch planes coming into land.
Float around in the pool under frangipani trees and do some plane spotting before it’s time to get on your own one.
The hotel also has a complimentary shuttle bus to and from Changi airport. This goes every hour but if the timing isn’t quite right for you, taxis are easily found and will get you to the terminal in around ten minutes.
Booking.comSo there we have it. My picks for the best hotels close to Changi Airport.
You can also check out the full list of Changi Airport Hotels on Booking.com for more ideas.
Do you have another one that you love and use? And if you’ve ever had to sleep overnight in an airport, how did you make yourself feel safe and comfy?
This post contains some affiliate links which means if you book after clicking, I’ll get a little something to help me pay those blogging bills. Thanking you.
You may also want to check out my piece about the funky and fun Citadines Connect Sydney Airport Hotel or the Adina Sydney Airport Hotel and find out the best hotels for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.
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