Lounge Review: Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

The Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge is probably the best airport lounge in Singapore Changi Airport right now, but accessing it can be tricky as it only accepts passengers traveling in First Class and Business Class on a oneworld alliance member airline - you will not be able to access this lounge with your Sapphire or Emerald status if you are not flying in a premium cabin. Since my flight to Japan last month was on Japan Airlines in Business Class, I took the opportunity to check out the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge which is located in Terminal 1 of the airport, next to The Emirates Lounge and across from the Plaza Premium Lounge.

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Seating Area
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

At the time of writing, the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge operates from 5:30 PM to 1:45 AM daily, but this is subject to change as the travel situation changes, or if Qatar Airways adds more flights out of Singapore. If you are planning to utilise some of your British Airways Avios for a flight out of Singapore on Malaysia Airlines in Business Class (which will only require 12,500 Avios each way), you will probably have to pick MH610 with the midnight departure to spend some quality time in this beautiful lounge. When I checked in for my flight at Singapore Changi Airport, I was directed to use the Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 1 (which is fairly decent for a contract lounge but obviously pales in comparison when compared to this). In my opinion, the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge is miles ahead of the Business Class and First Class section of the SilverKris Lounge (in Terminal 3 and Terminal 3), and it is probably comparable to The Private Room which I have not personally checked out since the renovation but it goes without saying that this is a strong contender in the grand scheme of things.

Seating Area
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

The Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge has a seating capacity of 85 across quite a large space (on a per capita basis) that has been subdivided into different areas. Upon entering the lounge, you will be greeted with a sandstone wall and a host who will verify your eligibility to use the lounge. For some reason, an error kept coming up on the scanner when my Japan Airlines boarding pass was scanned but it was quickly rectified on the backend by a different staff. Upon entering the lounge, you will notice how modern and inviting the lounge looks with plenty of seats on one side, and semi-private working pods on the other side.

Work Pods
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

There are five work pods in the lounge and while they may offer a solo traveller some privacy to get some work done, do note that food and drinks should not be consumed in this area (but trust me, you will want to head in to the dining room for that). This is probably a great spot to take a late night work call (even though you will not be able to sip Champagne while you are at it here) but I would not imagine anyone to stay here for long.

Universal Power Outlet
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

You will find a universal power outlet as well as USB charging ports in each one of these work pods where you can keep your mobile devices juiced while you take that important call, or answer that email that is taking you away from true happiness inside.

Bar
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

As you walk past the seating area and work pods, you will find yourself in a rather impressive-looking bar in the middle of the lounge - you will be able to enjoy different cocktails, wines, and Champagne here, but unless the enjoy the company of strangers (and potentially making conversation with people you have never met), you are better off in one of the seating areas instead. Contrary to popular belief, I am actually not very sociable in real-life and I tend to avoid situations like these as they make me uncomfortable - I would very much prefer to drink my Champagne in silence (I believe some people call this ‘alcoholism’).

Cold Selection from Buffet
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

If you are rushing for time, there is a small buffet selection that offers cold items but trust me, you will probably want to skip these as the main menu is a lot more enticing. You will find a selection of sliced fruits from the buffet which in all honesty, does not look too bad but there is only so much stomach space one has.

Cold Selection from Buffet
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Adjacent to the fruit platter is where you will find a selection of cold cuts and cheeses - once again, they look great (and would have been impressive in a contract lounge) but save your stomach space for the real deal unless you are absolutely rushing for time.

Dining Room
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Unlike most airport lounges in Singapore, Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge comes with a dedicated dining room which offers on-demand a la carte dining. There is a QR code where guests will be able to access the latest menu for Breakfast or for Lunch & Dinner. At the time of writing, there is even a small section where guests can enjoy FIFA Stadium Snacks like Calamari Crunch, Banh Mi, The Grilled Cheese Burger and Buffalo Wings which I thought is a pretty cute initiative. If memory serves me right, there is enough seating for 16 diners here in the dining room but during my visit, the space was never busy and the lounge had less than 10 guests in total at any given time.

Cocktails and Champagne
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

One of the greatest standout features of the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge is the extensive beverage menu (for both alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks). There are five specially-concocted cocktails on the beverage menu but classic and signature drinks can also be ordered on-demand. I am very much a Champagne person so I went with the Bollinger Rosé which is probably one of my favourite rosés at this price point. There is also the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne brut if that is something you prefer but the choice is obvious for me. Every glass of Champagne here was also served at the right temperature - this is something that the SilverKris Lounge lacks consistency in (particularly in the Business Class section of the lounge).

Seared Tuna with Avocado
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

The food menu of the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge changes a little from time to time which makes it great for frequent travellers - you can only eat the laksa that many times in the SilverKris Lounge before the novelty is lost. During my visit, I had the Seared Tuna with Avocado which was predictable, but delicious.

Burrata with Mixed Berry Compote and Strawberries
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

I also opted for the Burrata with Mixed Berry Compote and Strawberries which was excellent. Beyond being beautifully-plated, this dish has the right level of acidity and well-balanced flavours which is commonly-overlooked when it comes to burrata.

Chicken Lemongrass with Coconut Soup
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

There were two soups available during my visit - the mushroom soup, as well as the Chicken Lemongrass with Coconut Soup. I went with the latter and it was extremely comforting - almost good enough to be served in an actual restaurant as tom kha kai. I really like that the dining experience in the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge feels like an actual sit-down restaurant instead of the usual lounge experience.

Grilled Beef Fillet with Brioche, Roasted Turned Potatoes, Carrot Puree and Cracked Pepper Sauce
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

For my main course, I went with the Grilled Beef Fillet which was served on top a bed of pink brioche (since it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and it was cooked perfectly to the doneness that I wanted. It is great to see an airline lounge embracing these health campaigns, and integrating them into the dishes in a timely fashion.

Grilled Lamb Rack with Mashed Potatoes
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

I also had a bite of the Grilled Lamb Rack with Mashed Potatoes and it was honestly so good - definitely reminded me of the spring lamb from New Zealand as it is not gamey at all with a beautiful cook and sear. Singapore is obviously not a ‘home base’ for Qatar Airways but it is incredible to see how much effort as gone into the design and operations of this lounge. While a la carte dining is definitely a privilege and not expected in Business Class, Qatar Airways has really taken the level up a notch and the equivalent SilverKris lounges pale in comparison to this.

Seating Area
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Understandably, you might not want to hang in the dining room after a meal - there are plenty of seating areas to choose from if you wish to kick back some drinks while sitting on a more comfortable chair. Located just behind the dining room, near the bathroom is where you will find a small number of seats that have been spaced out comfortably.

Seating Area
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Shower Suite
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Should you wish to take advantage of the shower facilities here at the Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge, you will be happy to know that all of the private shower suites feature an area for your luggage (or bags) as well as a rainshower head, complete with Dyptique-branded bath amenities. Personal amenities like shaving kits and toothbrushes can also be found in the shower suites - do note that not all of the shower suites come with an ensuite toilet so you might want to pick the one that best suits your needs.

Seating Area
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge - Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

The Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge is quite possibly the best airport lounge in Changi Airport right now with premium beverage options, a la carte dining, and great service levels throughout. Not only are the interiors beautiful, the amount of personal space offered in the lounge (compared to what is offered in the Business Class section of the SilverKris Lounge) truly stands out as airline lounges rush to accommodate premium passengers in a post-COVID world.