Crowne Plaza Changi

[markis10]

This hotel has had a reputation for some interesting features in terms of its design so I was keen to try it out, although as a rule airport hotels I tend to avoid given their price compared to downtown options, the CP Changi is not an exception to this rule unless you book early with the family and friends rate.

Location
The hotel is essentially part of the T3 complex, with easy access via the Skytrain which is free from T1 and T2, or you can walk from the arrivals or departure area easily in T3.

Design
Regular visitors to Singapore would know humidity is often the first thing that hits you on arrival, well the CP gives you a chance to experience it one more time before your room as the walkways on each level are covered but open to the elements. The hotel is essentially the shape of an S made with straight lines, with the lifts in the middle of the S, while on level 3 a water feature and garden takes up the space of one atrium and the other atrium has the pool.

Room
Booked a King Bed Deluxe and was upgraded to a Suite without club access.

Entrance


Lounge area



Bedroom



Bathroom

 

[markis10]

(These photos were IPad ones so quality not the greatest)

View from the garden atrium stairs, 6th floor:



Pool



Sunrise from the pool deck (Subtitled "Why am I up so early and hungry?")



Club (shot from pool area it overlooks as I did not have access)



Club Breakfast Spread

 

[markis10]

Internet
Surprisingly there is no free internet in T3 before customs or at the CP (excluding the Coffee Bean Shop), the hotel has patch paid WIFI best used in common areas (no reception in my room) and wired in room internet which is useless for ithingys, glad I bought the ultrabook along. My rate included internet otherwise its $29 for 24 hours.

Food.
The breakfast is fantastic with a good selection of Western, local, Indian and Japanese, the dining area has an area set aside for priority club rewards members, first time I have seen this. If included in the room rate its great, however Changi has much better value food options in the staff canteens of the terminal basements, well worth the walk.

Checkin etc
As expected very efficient and polite, asked what time my next flight was and explained midday, no no late checkout needed, however this morning I changed flights and it was no problem to get the checkout put back to 4PM free of charge.

Avgeeks Hotel?
Yes and no, try for a room on the 8th or 9th floor if you want to watch the planes at Changi, rooms on the Western side have better views.

Final note - Pre-authorisations.

These are a bug bear of mine as I dont have a charge card and wont get one as a matter of policy (long story for another time), so these can add up when your on short stays or mattress runs as I am this week. Given they take up to two weeks to clear it can add up to significant held funds.

The Crowne Plaza Changi on checkin will preauth your card roomrate x nights + $200 SGD bond.

 

[KateMayo]

Thanks, markis10. I've got a stopover in SIN later this year so may give it a go.

 

[ALH]

FWIW - I have stayed here several times and always happy with the location and the quality

 

[Must...Fly!]

Stayed there for 3 hours once (unintentional, overnight delay in London destroyed that)...thought it was great for my short time there, would book again but it can be very pricey.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

FWIW have also stayed here several times and thought beds EXTREMELY hard.

Thought it was home away from home at one point in time - had a run of late dep ex PEK on the 16:45 flt - only 50min connection I think - had to stay over 3 trips in succession.

But problem also in that bar closes early does it not - I have not seen it open post 11:30pm I think.

 

[markis10]

Have to agree with the beds being hard, still managed to get a good sleep though.

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks for the review markis10.
I was interested in this hotel, for an upcoming stay next week. 1st time also.
I'm running the gauntlet, as airport hotels have never been an attraction, though short stop & have the Club Room booked so shall see how that rates.

 

[Hvr]

Have to agree with the beds being hard, still managed to get a good sleep though.

It seems a fairly Asian thing about having hard beds. Having been in lots of Asian hotels over the past few years I actually enjoy them a lot and when I purchased a new bed recently went for the firmest one I could find. I love it.

The staff at the bed shop were amazed that an anglo person would even try it far less want to sleep on it.

 

[kpc]

It seems a fairly Asian thing about having hard beds. Having been in lots of Asian hotels over the past few years I actually enjoy them a lot and when I purchased a new bed recently went for the firmest one I could find. I love it.

The staff at the bed shop were amazed that an anglo person would even try it far less want to sleep on it.

I saw my +1's mother carrying a flat rock.....and when I asked what she was going to do with it, thinking along the lines of door stop etc, to my amazement, the reply was she was going to use it "as a pillow".

 

[jetlagger]

Internet
Surprisingly there is no free internet in T3 before customs or at the CP (excluding the Coffee Bean Shop), the hotel has patch paid WIFI best used in common areas (no reception in my room) and wired in room internet which is useless for ithingys, glad I bought the ultrabook along. My rate included internet otherwise its $29 for 24 hours.

Food.
The breakfast is fantastic with a good selection of Western, local, Indian and Japanese, the dining area has an area set aside for priority club rewards members, first time I have seen this. If included in the room rate its great, however Changi has much better value food options in the staff canteens of the terminal basements, well worth the walk.

Checkin etc
As expected very efficient and polite, asked what time my next flight was and explained midday, no no late checkout needed, however this morning I changed flights and it was no problem to get the checkout put back to 4PM free of charge.

Avgeeks Hotel?
Yes and no, try for a room on the 8th or 9th floor if you want to watch the planes at Changi, rooms on the Western side have better views.

Final note - Pre-authorisations.

These are a bug bear of mine as I dont have a charge card and wont get one as a matter of policy (long story for another time), so these can add up when your on short stays or mattress runs as I am this week. Given they take up to two weeks to clear it can add up to significant held funds.

The Crowne Plaza Changi on checkin will preauth your card roomrate x nights + $200 SGD bond.

Continuing on markis10 thread, won't start a new one as most of details have been revealed.
Had a stay at the CP Changi last week, as the convenience to airport was a NB & was always intruiged to try it.

Initial short walk from T3 & well signposted entrance.
Was a little unimpressed with the concierge ignoring my presence & my luggage.
Had a brisk check in & was directed to the club lounge where my preferences were noted & Marlon (lounge staff) suggested a 3rd floor club room close to the pool & lounge would be the best offering.
I was offered a welcome drink voucher to be used in the main bar & a late check out if required.( PC benefit )
Managed to sneak a few drinks in for the coughtail hour & noted the reasonable canape offerings.
The lounge was fairly quite, only 5 other guests & was furnished well with nice layout.
As for the room, also great layout & nice bathroom with the welcome plate of fruits.
Agreed about the beds, positively firm.
Though I was located on the 3rd floor, surprisingly I could still hear the jets departing SIN around 230am, just a annoying murmur, though owing to location mostly expected.
After a morning swim in the gorgeous pool with the tropical foliage, enjoyed the breakfast offerings in the club lounge, as was recommended by Marlon (lounge staff) to be much quieter than the main restaurant.
The breakfast offering in the lounge was not extensive though adequate & the quiet light filled lounge with view & tables with friendly personalised service was a nice touch.

Just a couple of photos from the lounge as markis10 has provided some nice shots of rest.




Overall: my rating 8.5/10