Review: Aerotel Singapore, an airside transit hotel with an outdoor pool!

This is our review of the Aerotel Singapore hotel.

‘Aerotel’ is airport hotel brand from Plaza Premium, the independent lounge group. A few years ago, I reviewed one of the newest Aerotels, located at Heathrow Terminal 3, albeit landside.

The Aerotel Singapore was the first Aerotel transit hotel to open worldwide, in 2016. It is also, as you will see, an airside hotel with an outdoor pool overlooking the runway! I had a long layover in Singapore recently on my way to a holiday in Cambodia and decided to give it a try.

Aerotels are generally bookable by the hour although there is a six hour minimum at Singapore.

The concept is that if you are connecting or have an early morning flight, all you need is a place to crash and freshen up. You do not need the myriad of amenities – and therefore additional cost – that most conventional hotel concepts include.

The Aerotel website is here.

Where is the Aerotel Singapore hotel?

Just to be clear, the Aerotel Singapore is airside, ie. on the aircraft side of immigration (security is cleared at the gates at Singapore). You will need a boarding pass to access the hotel, or be in transit from another flight.

The Aerotel is located in Terminal 1 of Singapore Airport, just above Gate D40. Once you get close you see this unusual signage:

Head up the escalators to the floor above and you’re greeted by the Aerotel reception:

I was checked in quickly and easily, and given room number 1 – a first for me. Most, if not all of the 70 rooms are down a single corridor on the same floor behind the escalators.

Rooms at Aerotel Singapore

The Aerotel was pretty full so I was given what appeared to be an accessible room, meaning it was more spacious than usual (enough for a wheelchair / mobility scooter to move around in). You have to imagine it with a narrower ‘corridor’ with the desk closer to the beds:

My room was directly above Gate 41 and I had expansive views of the airport, with a Turkish Airlines aircraft at my gate. I’m not sure if every room has a view but at least half must, given the hotel stretches above the departure gates.

The desk is a decent size, with a TV above and an air purifier, plus various sockets for charging laptops, phones etc. Amenities included a kettle and some tea bags, although no coffee machine as far as I could tell.

I had a twin room. There was plenty of space in between and on either side of each bed, with lots of charging opportunities as well.

As it is a transit hotel there were no wardrobes or drawers, which makes sense.

The bathroom was standard sized and didn’t feature accessibility features like additional lifting supports etc. I’m not sure if this is marketed as an accessible room or simply features more space:

There was a walk in shower with large generic bottles of shower gel, shampoo etc.

Dental kits were also available, although there were no other amenities such as shaving kits, robes or even an iron. I’m not sure if these can be requested or not.

It was all well done, with the zingy green carpet providing a punch of colour and stimulating my jet-lagged brain. Whilst most rooms will be smaller than this, given you are transiting without much luggage I don’t see that as a problem. If anything, my room was bigger than I knew what to do with.

What about the pool and bar?

Of course, the highlight of the Aerotel (apart from having somewhere to crash) is the open-air pool and bar. I love airport novelties like this (another one is the sauna in Finnair’s Platinum Wing lounge at Helsinki, which I reviewed here) so I was keen to check it out.

To access the pool you need to head back to reception. Entrance is to the left:

This big neon sign means you are in the right place!

The pool is a great. It is not massive, as you would expect, but it is perfect for a quick dip. There are plenty of loungers around the pool as well as some bar tables and dining tables to the side.

There is also a sort of viewing-terrace adjacent where you can see the aircraft:

and

The pool was popular with guests although it was never heaving, so there was a nice atmosphere. The pool bar serves cocktails and other drinks. Cocktails are 22 SGD, so around £14. Fortunately they’re strong!

Of course, unlike most outdoor pools, you can hear the rumble of airplanes taking off. It certainly added to the novelty factor.

Note that it is also possible to use the pool if you are not staying at the Aerotel. You can book it for 27 SGD (about £16) via the Plaza Premium website here. This is a good offer for anyone who just wants to change or freshen up and get outside for a bit.

Food and drink at Aerotel Singapore

There is a bar at the pool which also offers various snacks and meals, but anyone staying at the Aerotel is also entitled to a complimentrary meal from a limited menu. This free meal is also available as room service – you don’t need to go to the pool to get it.

Choices include:

• Singapore chicken rice
• All day American breakfast
• Cajun chicken thigh noodles
• Salmon mentaiko
• Vegetarian fried rice

I went for the Singapore chicken rice which was very flavourful:

Conclusion

If you’re on a long layover at Singapore Changi Airport then the Aerotel offers both convenience and novelty.

If you’ve only got a few hours, then the pool pass is also good value and lets you relax and freshen up.

Different room types offer something for everyone, from solo rooms for one person to ‘Double Plus’ rooms.

Prices start at 178 SGD (£108) for a 6 hour slot. You can find out more, and book, on the Aerotel website here.

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