Here’s something I’ve never understood about US airport hotels: why are so few of them actually connected to the airport? You land, you’re exhausted, and instead of just walking to your room, you’re standing outside waiting 30 to 60 minutes for a shuttle. Then you ride the shuttle for another 10 to 15 minutes just to get to bed. And even then, the hotels are generally mediocre.
Singapore does it differently. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is routinely ranked the world’s best airport hotel, and after two stays, I’m fully on board with that title. It’s my favorite airport hotel anywhere.
Disclosure: I am not affiliated with Crowne Plaza or IHG. I did not receive any monetary or other incentives from them. My opinions are solely based on my personal experience. There is an affiliate link at the bottom of this review. If you choose to use it, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Location: As Close As It Gets Without Being In-Terminal
The hotel sits right outside Terminal 3, linked by a covered bridge that’s about a three-minute walk. It’s technically landside, so you’ll clear immigration before you can check in, but Changi has one of the fastest immigration checks in the world. I can generally deboard, pass immigration, and get to the hotel in less than 30 minutes. If you are landing in other Terminals (1, 2, or 4), you can take the free Skytrain or link bridges to get here.
There is no need to wait for the hotel shuttle buses or order a Grab (Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber). The Jewel is also only a sky bridge walk away, giving you access to a wide range of food, shopping, and even a grocery store on the basement levels.
The Room: A Front-Row Seat to the Jewel
My “Standard King Jewel Wing” room looked straight out at the Jewel and its glass bridge, which never got old. When you first enter the room, you are greeted by the large work desk with an ergonomic Herman Miller chair. There are plenty of electric outlets and even international ports in case you forgot your converter. If you keep going, there is a large king-size bed with a 40-inch smart TV. Past that is a small sofa and table to relax at, and beyond that is a massive bathroom, with a separate shower and a proper soaking tub with a gorgeous view of the Jewel. The whole room was dead quiet, no small feat for a hotel sitting on top of one of the busiest airports in the world.
Facilities: Tropical Pool, No-Frills Gym
The pool, on Level 3, is the kind of setup that makes you forget you’re at an airport. It’s ringed with palm trees and has a genuine resort feel. I only wish I’d carved out more time to actually get in the water. If you want to make the pool the centerpiece of your stay, look at the Club or Pool Terrace rooms, some of which open right onto the deck.
The gym is smaller and more basic, but it did the job for a quick post-flight workout. Don’t expect a full fitness center, just enough to shake off a long-haul flight.
Food: Skip the Hotel, Hit the Hawker Stand
Full disclosure: I never tried the hotel’s own restaurant, Allora Ristorante & Bar on Level 1, so I can’t vouch for the food there. It’s an all-day Italian spot with wood-fired pizza, handcrafted pasta, and a breakfast buffet, plus an alfresco garden if you’d rather eat outside, but you’ll have to judge that one for yourself.
Where I can vouch for the food is everywhere else in Changi. Head to Jewel and you’ve got a genuinely huge spread of options, from Shake Shack and A&W to Tim Ho Wan, Beauty in the Pot hotpot, and Tonkatsu by Ma Maison, alongside no shortage of solid local Singaporean spots.
But if you want my real recommendation: find the airport staff hawker stands. They’re open to the public, tucked away enough that most travelers never stumble on them, and the food is both excellent and cheap. This is the one I’d point you to first. Search for the Staff Canteen in Terminal 1 called the Orchis Food Court.
Bottom Line
The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport regularly costs ~$300 USD a night. This is on the high end for hotels in Singapore. It’s also part of the IHG program, so you can get a night here for 43,000 points. This really is a hotel for people who value comfort, convenience, and time. I’ll be back to this hotel, and maybe next time I’ll slow down a bit and just enjoy my time exploring the rest of Changi Airport.
If you are looking to book this hotel with cash and open to booking through Klook, here is an affiliate link for Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this site going. May your travels be smooth and bring you joy ✌
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