After my recent visit to the incredible Qatar Airways Lounge in Bangkok, I was really looking forward to visiting the Qatar Airways Lounge at Singapore Changi, and seeing how it compares.

I booked my flight out of Singapore a couple months ago and I didn’t realise there was a Qatar Lounge at Singapore Changi until I was researching lounge access at Singapore Changi. Luckily, I was flying business class (British Airways Club Suite to Sydney), so I met Qatar’s strict lounge access criteria. More on that later.

This is an absolutely fantastic oneworld airport lounge, perfect for a lounge hop (alongside the British Airways and Qantas Lounge) if you are travelling in business class or first class with any oneworld carrier. If you are flying business class or first class, your airline will likely suggest another lounge to you. Make sure you stop here. It is a true oasis.

Where is the Qatar Airways Lounge Singapore Changi?

The entrance to the Qatar Airways Lounge at Singapore Changi is located up the escalators next to the C gates, in Terminal 1. After passing through immigration, turn left and head straight to the end of the concourse. Where you turn right for the C gates, to your left is the escalator up to the Qatar Lounge. Look out for the Lounges signs located throughout the airside concourse if you get lost.

Entrance and Check In

The entrance is spectacular. Walk through the double doors and you are greeted by this large pink orchid in the centre of the foyer.

You are also greeted by a staff member, who checks you in. Another staff member escorts you down the long corridor to the lounge itself, and gives you a tour of the various areas and seating. Take your pick, although this lounge did get fairly full during my time here as there are multiple oneworld flights departing during the evening peak.

Qatar Airways Lounge Singapore Changi Opening Hours

As this lounge focuses on revenue business class and first class passengers, it has limited opening hours, centred around the 3 daily Qatar Airways flights from Singapore to Doha.

The current opening hours are:

• 7:45am – 10:45am
• 6pm – 2:30am

If you are flying business or first class on another oneworld carrier that you paid with by cash or 100% with Avios, from Singapore, nearer to these closing times or just after, this is the obvious sweet spot to maximise your time in this fantastic airport lounge. Many airlines at Singapore Changi use the early check in facility, have their own early check in arrangements (such as British Airways) or use the SATS Premier Check In facility (for first and business class passengers). Definitely make use of these if you can, to maximize your time in this sensational airport lounge.

 At Singapore Changi, security is located at the gate, so do make sure to leave to lounge early. My British Airways flight was on last call 40 minutes before scheduled departure. As the Qatar Lounge is located at the C gates at Singapore Changi, make sure to factor in extra time if your flight is departing from the D gates, as they are located about a 10 minute walk away. Otherwise, you may need to run, like I had to.

Seating Options

Upon walking in, there is this main area with seating on the left, and these fantastic private work pods on the right. They are quite similar to those found at Cathay Pacific’s The Wing, Business Lounge in Hong Kong. This area is very quiet and very private. Perfect for getting some last minute work done before you board your flight.

Continuing on, there is the circular bar, right in the centre, with restaurant dining room seating to the left, and more dining room seating on the other side, beyond the buffet.

Further along the corridor is another mini area of low armchairs and coffee tables, perfect for reading a book, having some pre-flight nibbles and a glass of champagne, or relaxing with friends or family.

Both the dining room and the lounging area were full at the time of my visit, so I opted for the left-hand side dining room.

Buffet Food Options

Qatar offers a fairly decent buffet offering next to the round bar counter. This particular evening, the Singapore Changi Qatar Lounge’s evening offering included:

• Arabic Mezze, consisting of:
  • Tabbouleh
  • Hummus (must try)
  • Babaganoush
• Cheese platter, with a variety of cheeses and accompaniments available 
• Cold cuts platter
• Fresh Fruit platter, including pineapple, papaya, watermelon, kiwi and dragonfruit
• Dessert platter with a selection of freshly made cakes and pastries
• Vegetable crudites
• DIY Salad bar
• Bread selection
• Arabic Bread / Pita Bread

There were also two infused waters available, for pre-flight hydration.

In all, a great buffet selection for all tastes. A special mention to Qatar Airways’ signature Arabic Mezze. Truly the best hummus I think I have ever had, and an absolute must-try on your next visit to this fantastic airport lounge.

A La Carté Food Options

There is also an á la carté menu available for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a variety of dishes made-to-order and delivered to your table. The Á la carté Lunch and Dinner Menu this evening in the Qatar Lounge at Singapore is above.

A very well-balanced menu, with two soups, six different appetizers, sushi offerings, six different mains and one dessert. The menu draws on a variety of cuisines, including Singaporean, Malaysian, Indonesian, Japanese and Thai. It would be nice however to see more gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options, for those with dietary restrictions.

I opted for the Vegetable roll / Cucumber sushi, but was told after one portion they had run out and were not able to make any more. There were also no customisations available which was disappointing. My favourite item at the Qatar Lounge is always the Arabic Mezze, so I stocked up on that instead for my pre-flight dinner.

Beer, Wine and Spirits Selection

Because the Qatar Airways Lounges (including at Singapore Changi) are for revenue and fully Avios paid passengers only, the exclusivity allows them to treat their most profitable passengers with an extensive mid-to-top-shelf beer, wine and spirits selection. The circular bar takes front and center here, and is a focal point of this airport lounge. With the incredible Qatar service, the bartenders and fantastic wait staff care to every whim so you won’t even need to get up from your seat to quench your thirst here. A refreshing change from the typical poorly stocked self-service airport lounge bar.

Here were my highlights from the bar at the Qatar Lounge at Singapore Changi on my visit:

• Taittinger Brut Reserve NV Champagne
• Taittinger Prestige Rosé Champagne
• Louis Jadot Chablis Fourchaume Chardonnay Premier Cru, France
• Luna Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, New Zealand 
• Thomas Schmitt Spätlese Riesling, Mosel, Germany
• Château Loumelat Merlot, Bordeaux, France
• Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia
• Mount Riley Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Aperol
• Campari
• Tiger Beer
• Heineken Beer
• Hennessy VSOP Cognac
• Singapore Sling
• Singapore Delight
• Pink Lady

Whilst I would say on the whole, the spirits selection specifically was of lower quality than that of the Qatar Lounge at Bangkok Airport, the highlights above are still generally a lot better than most airport lounges in the world. However, the gins available were Gordons or Bombay Sapphire, the only vodka was Absolut and rum available was Barcadi or Captain Morgan. All of which I consider bottom-to-mid shelf liquors. It would be nice to see Qatar upgrade these house spirits in-line with the fantastic selection at the Qatar Lounge in Bangkok, which included Grey Goose, Hendricks and Tanqueray No. 10.

However, I can’t stress again how fantastic the service was here. Champagne was served table side, and when my glass was below half full, a lovely waitress came over and asked if I would like a top-up of champagne or another drink. The cocktails were delicious, and it was great to see both a Singapore Sling and a Qatar Airways creation, the Singapore Delight, on the menu, paying homage to the Lion City. Truly, I wish every airport lounge in the world was like Qatar Airways Airport Lounges.

Non-alcoholic Beverage Selection

There is a wide variety of non-alcoholic options available to suit all tastes and preferences.

In terms of coffee, barista-made coffee is available. Coffee is also available with full cream, half cream, skimmed milk and soy milk. But for me, the star of the show is always the Arabic coffee, so make sure to order that when you arrive at the lounge as it does take a while to prepare. A rare and delectable treat.

For the tea-lovers, the Qatar Lounge at Singapore Changi features a selection of TWG teas, perfect for flyers at any time of day.

There is also a Red Ruby Hot Chocolate available, a selection of juices including a detox juice of the day, a selection of soft drinks and mocktails too.

In all, plenty of non-alcoholic options to keep you hydrated and ready for your long-haul flight from Singapore Changi.

Qatar Airways Lounge Singapore Bathrooms and Showers

The bathrooms and shower suites at the Singapore Qatar Airways Lounge are luxurious, clad in marble and feature dreamy Diptyque toiletries. Each individual shower and bathroom suite is cleaned and refreshed between guests, ensuring fluffy towels, no water on the floor, and plenty of extra amenities available so you are ready for your flight.

In the shower suites, amenities include:

• Diptyque Hand Wash
• Diptyque Hand Lotion
• Diptyque Shampoo
• Diptyque Conditioner
• Diptyque Body Wash
• Shaving Kit
• Q-Tip Cotton Swabs
• Shower Cap

In the bathroom suites, amenities include:

• Diptyque Hand Wash
• Diptyque Hand Lotion
• Shaving Kit
• Dental Kit (Toothbrush and Toothpaste)
• Q-Tip Cotton Swabs

Truly one of the nicest showers I have ever had, period. And I can’t think of another airport lounge featuring luxurious Diptyque amenities. If you are visiting this lounge, make sure you have enough time to go for a shower before your flight.

Qatar Airways Lounge Singapore Changi: Service

Similar to the Qatar Lounge in Bangkok, the service here is unparalleled for an airport lounge. The lounge was fairly full, but the high staff to passenger ratio meant the service was always attentive and quick.

There was one staff member to greet you and check you in, one staff member to give you a tour of the lounge and find somewhere to sit, then plenty of attentive wait staff around to take á la carte dining and drinks orders. Then there were the staff who fully cleaned and refreshed the toilets and shower suites after every use. Truly such a special experience.

If there is one thing to come to the Singapore Qatar Airways Lounge for, it’s the incredible service.

Access Requirements

As I mentioned earlier, the Qatar Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport is very exclusive, and so much so, that frequent flyer status (oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald) will not gain you access to this lounge. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald passengers instead have access to the nearby British Airways and Qantas Lounges. The Qatar Lounge is accessible by the following passengers only:

• Qatar Airways Paid Business Class Passengers
• Qatar Airways Paid First Class Passengers
• oneworld Paid Business Class Passengers
• oneworld Paid First Class Passengers
• Qatar Airways Flight Redemption Business Class Passengers
• Qatar Airways Flight Redemption First Class Passengers
• oneworld Flight Redemption Business Class Passengers
• oneworld Flight Redemption First Class Passengers

Important to note is fares upgraded with airline miles or cash, including Avios, are ineligible for Qatar Lounge access. Only flights in Business or First Class fully paid for with cash, or fully paid for with Avios are eligible for Qatar Lounge access.

This exclusivity means that Qatar can offer the best service and airport lounge experience to their top flyers.

Conclusion: Qatar Lounge is the Best Airport Lounge at Singapore Changi

The Qatar Airways Lounge is the best oneworld Sapphire airport lounge at Singapore Changi without a doubt. A fantastic space to relax, get some work done or be pampered with incredible food and beverage offerings ahead of your flight.

Compared to my recent visit to the Bangkok Qatar Airways Lounge, I do think that lounge was better in terms of food and beverage offering, but I do prefer the layout of the Singapore Qatar Lounge. In all, though, both are fantastic and you absolutely must visit if you are eligible and passing through either of these airports. This is all relative though and based on my own experience, and I am sure the various Qatar Airways airport lounges at Doha Hamad International Airport (including the flagship Al Safwa First Lounge) are even better. I cannot wait to visit, because I just don’t know how you can possibly top the lounge experience at the both the Singapore and Bangkok Qatar Airways Lounges.