Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel

Staycations are common getaways for Singapore couples and families these days. They provide a means to escape from work and the end goal is always a time to relax/refresh and bond with the family. We’ve had staycations in various hotels in the city and by the beach, and our stays have been filled with lots of things to do. With our kind sponsors from the Changi Airport group, they put us up at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, to enjoy the facilities at the airport.

Being one of the best airports in the world, Changi airport offers greater value to travelers through the Crowne Plaza Hotel. If you are wondering, what can we expect from the hotel, when you are not a tourist? Join us on this journey to find out, what the family can do, while on a staycation at Changi Airport.

First off, let’s check out the rooms which the Crowne Plaza offer. The room has all the basic amenities plus it comes equipped with an ironing board. And the rooms are nicely sized and fairly spacious. That is quite rare in most hotels.

 

The airport Hotel is just smack next to the runway. The kids loved looking out of the windows, as they could see all the planes taking off. If any of your kids are hooked on aviation, this might just scratch that itch which they have! 🙂

Some parents might therefore be worried about the noise from the jets. However, one of the amazing things is that throughout our entire stay, we could not hear any planes at all! Taking into consideration there are at least one plane taking off or landing every 90 seconds! It was definitely quite an experience watching the planes take off without the NOISE!

The wonders of the Crowne Plaza Hotel lies in its beautiful resort landscape. It is easy to forget where you are in the hotel. One would never think you are in busy Singapore or in an Airport hotel.

 

Visiting the club lounge was another fun experience for the kids. With the comfy atmosphere, and free flow drinks and cocktails, parents and kids felt right at home.

Now, many would think that staying at an Airport Hotel is a major disadvantage because of the distance from any attractions. BUT this is not the case here, because this is THE Changi Airport—the world’s most awarded “Best Airport”. Even if you are not planning to take a flight, there are many things to do at this favourite destination for Singapore families.  And the best thing about the airport? There is an attraction for every season! Just take a look at the castle that Changi Airport has this season. This Christmas is going to be Disney Christmas, and the attraction will be around till 5 Jan 2015.

This Christmas season, you can go Around the World with Mickey & Friends. In T3, there’s a huge Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Bouncy Playground with a 3m high slide, an endless ball pit and a super sticky Velcro wall! We have not seen the Velcro wall before, and it was definitely a funny moment to see the kids stuck on the wall.

You can also also catch a view of the Swiss Chalets and a show at Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle. At selected times, there will be snowfall and if you can get the front, there are free gifts for the kids as well! 🙂

Besides the seasonal attractions, the kids can also have fun with the kiddy rides and the famous airport slides. The Changi Airport slide happens to be the world’s tallest slide, as it stands at 12 metres or 4 storeys high.

Travelers that come to Changi Airport will also be glad to know that are plenty of things to do at the airport. I have been to some airports, and one just “zones out” in boredom. However, things are very different in Singapore! We found out something that would change the way we travel in the future. We will be checking in early next time, because it’s a Whole New World in the restricted areas too! Look at what is offered in the restricted area after you go through immigration!

Everything in the airport is traveler friendly! With the traveler in mind, one will find the terminals filled with cushioned seats, armed with inbuilt electrical plucks for one to charge their handphones, ipads, notebooks and everything else. If you get bored, you can go for a swim and the airport swimming pool, go to the gym, or just watch a free movie! Yes! Even a Singaporean can can check in early, to maximize these facilities, before they fly off to their next destination.

If you are a nature enthusiasts, one will not feel left out at the airport as well. Going to the butterfly garden, sunflower garden and Koi pond can help one relax, as families and travelers can experience part of nature.

The kids will also love the airport as they will find a playground in every terminal. This is a great distraction, as the kids were able to expel all their energy by running up and down the slides.

For the older kids, one can also have a go at the LAN gaming and game console stations. Travelers will be glad to know that all this entertainment is for free, and that one can have unlimited game play on all these machines! 🙂

The Social Tree is another interesting thing that one can do at the airport. Take a photo, record your memories, and the pictures will last in this tree for 100 years. Upon the next visit to Changi airport, one can still find your photos and memories still ingrained within the tree.

And if you are in a rush but wanna enjoy the Duty Free deals, you can go to the Online Shop at Changi (http://www.ishopchangi.com/Default.aspx) and do your shopping! Here’s how it works:

• Use the main navigational menu or search feature to find the products you would like to purchase.
• Click on ADD TO CART to purchase the product 2 weeks in advance, and up to 24 hours before your flight departure.
• On your day of departure/transit, proceed to theCollection Centre at the transit lounge of your departure terminal at least 60 minutes before departure to collect your purchases.
• Present your Collection Slip, passport and boarding pass for collection.

Now you know why we would check in early for our future trips! There’s so much to enjoy and explore!

During the staycation, it was a perfect scenario to just step out of the hotel (literally) and have a host of shops and Food & Beverage outlets to patronise. The restaurants open till late, and even when we stepped out of the hotel room at 1am, we could still have coffee and toast at one of the many food outlets at the airport. Do you know that the shops operate till 12 midnight daily in T1 and till 1 a.m. in T2 and T3? And there are some shops that are open 24 hours! There’s no way one would feel bored at the airport!

What’s more, when you shop at Changi’s public areas, there’s a “Flying or Not, You Shop We Absorb” programme that has most retail outlets absorbing the 7% GST! How’s that for good shopping and a scrumptious meal?

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Crowne Plaza Hotel. And I can imagine all guests taking advantage of the proximity to the Airport!

All pictures taken with our Sponsored Cameras from Nikon