Hotel Review: Aerotel Singapore (M Room) - Transit Hotel in Changi Airport
Everyone knows the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is the world's best airport hotel and so imagine the look on everyone's faces when I told them that the best transit hotel in Changi Airport is the Aerotel Singapore. It is important to note that the Aerotel Singapore is a transit hotel - this means to say that the hotel is well, within the transit area of the Changi Airport.
If you are departing from Singapore, you will have to check-in your luggage (if any), make your way through immigration before heading down to Terminal 1 of the Changi Airport to check-in to the Aerotel Singapore. I have to reiterate this again - the Aerotel Singapore is not an airport hotel and therefore it is not somewhere that people can spend a weekend staycation in (well, technically you could if you have a flight out of Singapore).
Operated by one of the largest private airport lounge networks, Plaza Premium, Aerotel Singapore is conveniently located in Terminal 1 of the Changi Airport - if your flight is departing from a different terminal, simply hop on the complimentary SkyTrain to get to Terminal 1. Since I had a morning flight of Singapore to Tokyo at approximately 8AM, I did not want to get up at 5AM and find my way to the airport - I therefore decided that it would be a good idea to check-in to the Aerotel Singapore the night before.
At the time of writing, there are two main room types at the Aerotel Singapore and each room can be occupied from 6 hours (minimum duration). If you have a long layover in Singapore or you simply wish to do what I did when you have an early morning flight out of Singapore, the rooms start from just USD 38 for an S room - some of the rooms require you to share certain facilities though so make sure you check it out. The room that I was in (M room), comes with a twin bed which is perfect for sharing - priced from USD 76 with an ensuite shower room. Your stay can also be extended by the hour at USD 14 for each additional hour.
At the moment the M Room at the Aerotel Singapore is the biggest room you can get - I do believe that they will be introducing an L Room in the near future for families but I do not know when exactly will that be implemented. My M Room was massive though and even though there were only two twin beds, it could easily fit a lot more - there is even a view of the runway which makes this the best hotel really for plane-spotting (sorry Crowne Plaza Changi Airport!).
I am not sure if all the rooms come with a window but I am pretty certain some if not most do not - I do think that the addition of a window is a nice touch and definitely one that brings value to travellers looking for a place to rest their head. That being said, it is important to remember that this is a transit hotel and it was never designed for prolong stay. As I have mentioned earlier on, the S rooms do not come with an ensuite bathroom and the M Room (twin-sharing) ones do - while it does not come with a bathtub, the bathroom is massive and the rainshower definitely plays a part in rejuvenating weary travellers.
Since I have checked most of my toiletries into the luggage, I made sure to bring the necessary products with me in 100ml bottles. Aerotel Singapore does provide the essentials though - shampoo, body wash (which is the same as the shampoo), hand wash and other amenities that a essential for a short stay.
As a guest of the Aerotel Singapore, you will have access to complimentary WiFi (which is basically Changi Airport's WiFi), wake-up call service, access to the Library Lounge where you get to enjoy complimentary coffee and tea as well as other entertainment options, access to the outdoor swimming pool as well as the fitness corner. Non-staying guests may also choose to pay a nominal fee to access the swimming pool and fitness corner.
Since I only arrived at the Aerotel Singapore at approximately 10PM, the outdoor swimming pool was already closed and I did not manage to take advantage of it - I therefore do not have photos of it but from what I hear, it is the only outdoor swimming pool within the airport right now! I did find the Library Lounge to be really stunning though - in fact, as I have mentioned in my 360 video that I have uploaded on Facebook, the place really reminded me of a cafe than a transit hotel (which are generally dull and unexciting).
The Aerotel Singapore at the Changi Airport has got to be the best transit hotel in the world - it is definitely the best in Singapore! Despite having a room that directly overlooks the runway, the noise isolation was almost perfect and you can barely hear anything from the outside (with the exception of some really large planes but still, the noise is minimal).
Aerotel Singapore
Level 3, Departure Transit Lounge, Terminal 1 (above Gate D41), Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore 819642
Website | Email
TRIBE Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 is a great value choice for budget-conscious travelers but its slightly longer walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station may make it less convenient compared to more accessible (but pricier) options in the area.