Singapore Airlines The Private Room, Singapore

Singapore Airlines The Private Room lounge enjoys a rather mysterious reputation. Many have heard of it, or even walked past its entrance to visit a different lounge, but very few are invited inside. That’s the whole point of The Private Room.

Welcome to one of the world’s most exclusive airport lounges, where not even Singapore Airlines’ highest tiers of frequent flyer status get you an invitation. Yet, for all the hype and secrecy, this isn’t a lounge where you’d go out of your way for an all-day visit before you fly. After a few hours, you’ll feel ready for the next stage of your journey.

Singapore Airlines’ The Private Room Location and Opening Hours

Starting your journey in Singapore? There’s a private entrance to Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 reserved for Singapore Airlines first class and Suites (it’s a sharp left as you approach the terminal). Here, you’ll handle the formalities and be directed through a secluded immigration channel, away from the crowds.

Once through, take a simple left turn towards the ‘A’ gates. Or, if you're already airside in transit, venture in the direction of gate A1 and keep your eyes peeled for an escalator up to Singapore Airlines’ lounge precinct.

The entrance to The Private Room is via the same lobby as for Singapore Airlines’ standard SilverKris Business Class and First Class Lounges. Staff will notice your boarding pass and escort you into The Private Room.

The Private Room is open from 5:30am to 2:30am daily. If you’re jetting through during that early morning closure, you can use the adjacent SilverKris First Class Lounge in the interim.

Who Can Access Singapore Airlines The Private Room Lounge?

Not even the shiniest Singapore Airlines status can get you into The Private Room. Access is reserved exclusively for Singapore Airlines’ own passengers in First Class (B777 flights) and Suites (A380 flights). No guests are permitted.

But here’s a trick. As well as access on departure, you can also visit after arriving on a Singapore Airlines First Class or Suites flight. That’s true even if you don’t have another onward flight. The layout of Changi Airport makes it easy to walk from your arriving flight straight to the lounge, as departing and arriving passengers are comingled. Later, you can clear immigration at your leisure (speak with lounge staff about checked baggage).

If you wish to host a guest in a lower cabin, per Star Alliance rules as a First Class or Suites passenger, you can bring that guest into the separate SilverKris First Class Lounge, but not The Private Room. It can be a confusing distinction, but SilverKris First normally serves other Star Alliance first class passengers and Singapore Airlines’ Solitaire PPS frequent flyers (its equivalent of Qantas Platinum One), whereas The Private Room is a cut above, and the most exclusive.

Whether you’ve worked hard to afford a First Class or Suites airfare, or have worked hard to build a balance of KrisFlyer miles to redeem for your journey, there’s pleasingly no difference to the access policy.

Today’s journey takes me to Hong Kong at the minimal cost of 47,500 KrisFlyer miles for a one-way First Class Saver Award, plus $65.20 SGD (about $72.50): it’s terrific value. In Australia, you can convert American Express Membership Rewards points to KrisFlyer at a 3:1 rate, from cards like the Platinum, Platinum Business, or Explorer.

Overview Of Singapore Airlines The Private Room

Here in Singapore, The Private Room is more about subdued luxury than over-the-top extravagance. It’s far from palatial like Qatar Airways’ famed Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha, and not loaded with different areas to explore like Cathay Pacific’s upgraded The Wing First Class Lounge in Hong Kong.

Instead, The Private Room is much smaller, with an entry foyer and a simple rectangular floor plan.

There are no direct tarmac views: the windows merely offer a peek at the airport concourse below. But peek at the theme inside and you’ll quickly see nautical cues. Stylish carpets mirror the waves of the ocean, while while tans, creams and marble all mimic the sand.

Brown and brass also feature heavily, while a glass installation by Lasvit is open to interpretation. Sometimes I look up and see bubbles, other times I see jellyfish… but I’ll agree, it’s on theme. Parts of the ceiling are also mirrored to increase the sense of space in this otherwise-cosy layout.

Glass frames and sectional dividers help to dampen noise, power outlets are near most seats, and some tables offer wireless charging. Travelling solo? Consider taking an open nook by the internal windows.

For additional privacy, walled booths live on the opposite side.

The dining area sits at the far end, but tables are limited. In that sense, The Private Room isn’t quite so private after all. During my visit I enjoyed an off-peak moment, but often you’ll be seated close to an occupied table, or feel ‘on display’ at a standalone spot with others facing directly towards you.

Food & Beverage In Singapore Airlines The Private Room

What sets The Private Room apart from Singapore Airlines’ other lounges is à la carte dining with table service, to any seat in the lounge. This is a breakfast visit, so I start off with a simple skim latte.

I usually find breakfast menus rather repetitive, so the vast and varied selections here are very pleasing.

Before I order, it dawns on me. As nice as it is to visit The Private Room, and as much as the restaurant is core to its appeal, every passenger here is about to jet off in first class, or has just landed from the same. If I were to enjoy a proper meal now, I’d be too full to dine in the sky… and as that’s a big part of the first class experience, I’m cornered into ordering only lite bites.

I begin with the smaller of two dim sum options, which also bypasses the typical picks like prawn siu mai (a staple of hotel buffet breakfasts in Asia). Instead, today’s options are cabbage and tung oh, louhan vegetarian, and olive and vegetable. Now we’re talking!

For another bite, I order “kueh pie tee”: an artful concoction of prawns with grated peanut. Maybe breakfast isn’t so boring after all…

While I’m preserving my appetite for food, Champagne sits in a different category. Yes, it’s early in the day (although a weekend, so don’t judge…), but seeing 2013 Taittinger Comtes headlining a list that continues with Krug Rosé and ’07 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires means some “sampling” must be done.

I didn’t quite get to the Geoffroy or the Piper this time, or anything else on the wine list, so it looks like I’ll have to return for more “research”.

Amenities In Singapore Airlines The Private Room Lounge

Beyond bottled beverages, The Private Room has another standout perk up its sleeve: four private nap rooms. Two offer reclining armchairs, while the other pair have these plus single beds. Speak with staff to book (they’re complimentary, but no photos as all were in use during this morning visit). Unfortunately, bookings are limited to two hours: a very short doze indeed. Longer stays may be arranged if there’s nobody else waiting.

Meanwhile, the bathrooms in The Private Room are decidedly luxe.

For those travelling with little ones, you can escape to a separate room. It’s a handy feature for everybody else, too: containing any noise. Along the same lines, there’s also a small room near the dining area that’s perfect for a quick private phone call (also in use during my visit: people are very polite here, after all).

In Conclusion: Singapore Airlines The Private Room

The Private Room has long had a certain mystique. As the name suggests, very few people make the cut for access, and rarity drives interest. I’ll admit, I was equally as excited to be visiting The Private Room as I was to be flying First Class. But perhaps, I let my own anticipation build the lounge into something it isn’t.

Don’t get me wrong, visiting The Private Room is highly enjoyable. Who doesn’t like being personally escorted away from the crowds and into a quiet sanctuary to devour top-shelf bubbles? For that matter, the Champagne list here is the best I’ve seen in any airport lounge globally – and that’s what’s worth arriving early for. But I also feel as though the Champagne list is doing the heavy lifting here.

Take the Champagne away and the lounge is little more than a quiet space to await your flight. There’s no day spa, no airport views, and barely a flicker of natural light. Go beyond the Champagne list, and most other first class lounges have it beat. In that sense, The Private Room is a treat for the tastebuds: not a lounge for the everyday road warrior.