The secrets of Singapore Airlines’ most exclusive lounge revealed

It’s the airline lounge only a few people ever see — Singapore Airlines’ Private Room is a lounge within a lounge within a lounge.

It’s the lounge only a handful of people ever see — Singapore Airlines’ most exclusive lounge, known as the Private Room.

Located within the airline’s first class lounge in the business lounge at Singapore’s Changi Airport, only passengers booked in first class are permitted entry to the Private Room, behind a curved bronzed wall.

Inside, smartly dressed staff appear to outnumber guests scattered through the space which has the capacity to accommodate 78 people, and overlooks the shopping area of terminal 3.

A striking chandelier made of 107 crystal flowers commands attention in the foyer, where guests are greeted by name and welcomed into the peaceful inner sanctum.

The crystal flower chandelier in the foyer of the Private Room.

There is nothing so pedestrian as a serve-yourself smorgasbord in the Private Room, with visitors instead invited to order from a comprehensive menu and drinks list.

Choices include a hearty breakfast platter with Angus beef or Kurobuta pork sausage, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and eggs; grilled sandwich with pulled duck, cheese and mesculin salad; dim sum delights, and Singapore laksa with lobster.

For dessert there’s ice cream with optional waffles, cake of the day and chocolate fondant, as well as a traditional Singaporean cheng tng, with dried white fungus, pearl barley and red dates.

Beverage choices include a 2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne or 2007 Rare Millesime; a 2016 Chateau Rahoul Grand vin de Bordeaux or 2022 Home Block Martinborough sauvignon blanc.

Two Australian drops make the grade — a 2015 Kooyong Mornington Peninsula pinot noir, and 2015 Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, and there’s a range of top shelf spirits such as Grey Goose vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin and 19-year-old Glenmorangie single malt whisky.

Inside Singapore Airlines’ lavish Private Room where staff almost outnumber guests.

Coffee snobs can choose one of several varieties of beans on display, to be brewed by the ever present barista, while tea drinkers are presented with eight options.

Fresh juices, soft drinks, sparkling or still water, beer and liqueurs can also be summonsed from the attentive wait staff at any time of the day or night.

Seating options are much more private than other lounges, with one and two seat nooks tucked into wood-panelled alcoves, stylishly set dining tables for two or more, and inviting leather sofas arranged on the turquoise carpet.

Dinner for two in the Private Room.

For those seeking more privacy, four dimly lit “nap rooms” are available to catch some shut-eye — each with a king size single bed or day bed made up with fresh white linen.

Weary guests don’t need to book in advance, with the rooms provided on a first come, first served basis for up to two hours, or longer if there’s availability.

Showers are also on hand, with each spacious and spotlessly clean suite equipped with towels and Lalique toiletries, and adorned with orchids.

Nominated by frequent flyer expert Adele Eliseo of The Champagne Mile, as the world’s best airline lounge, the Private Room does appear to meet every possible need of well-heeled travellers.

A phone room is even provided for those who want to have their conversations out of anyone else’s ear reach, and a children’s space with television, video games and a bean bag chair.

With first class cabins restricted to certain models of Singapore Airlines’ A380s and Boeing 777s, the chances of the Private Room ever being full or feeling crowded are remote at best.

In the unlikely event of an overflow, the surrounding first class lounge is similarly well appointed, albeit without the table service and devotion to preserving the privacy of guests.

Originally published as The secrets of Singapore Airlines’ most exclusive lounge revealed