In this series
Review:
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge T3 SIN
Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class Boeing 787-10 SIN to BKK
Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class Boeing 787-10 SIN to BKK
Review:
The Continent Hotel Bangkok by Compass Hospitality
Review:
EVA Air Lounge BKK
Review:
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge BKK
Review:
Singapore Airlines Business Class Boeing 777-200ER BKK to SIN
I made my
way via Grab from a meeting I was having in MacPherson to the airport at about
1:30pm in the afternoon, and arrived about 20 minutes later.
I dropped
off at Terminal 2, as our flight was departing from that terminal and proceeded
to check-in at row 1 – where SIA’s premium check-in counters are located.
It was
near empty when I arrived, and I waited for about half a minute behind one of
the Business Class counters before being waved towards an empty First Class
counter to be served.
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| Singapore Airlines check-in SIN T2 |
However,
as I intended to review the SilverKris lounge in T3 this time, I decided to use
the underpass and walk across to T3 before heading through immigration.
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| SIN T3 departure hall |
There
were still remnants of Changi Airport’s Harry Potter-themed Christmas
decorations, though I don’t think The
Jacobite will pull out of the station on its own power any time soon…
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| SIN T3 Christmas decor |
Making my
way through a crowd sending off friends and relatives on their Umrah journeys,
I went through immigration and was airside in T3 – just 12 minutes after
alighting from the Grab. I was greeted by the stunning Louis Vuitton duplex
store located right in the middle of the transit area.
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| SIN T3 airside |
To locate
the SilverKris Lounge in T3, simply turn left after immigration and head up the
escalator after the first cosmetics and perfume duty-free shop.
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| SIN T3 airside |
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| SIN T3 airside |
There
were other lounges in this area of T3, including the KrisFlyer Gold lounge (for
Star Alliance Gold status holders).
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| SIN T3 airside |
Locating
the SilverKris Lounge from here would require navigating through an S-shape
course of narrow and tight corridors.
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| SIN T3 airside |
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| SIN T3 airside |
SILVERKRIS LOUNGE T3
Name: Singapore
Airlines SilverKris Lounge
Location:
Terminal 3, level 3, turn left after immigration
Access
for: Singapore Airlines Suites, First Class, Business Class passengers, Star
Alliance First Class, Business Class passengers, Solitaire PPS Club, PPS
Club members on Singapore Airlines/SilkAir flights
Alliances
served: Star Alliance
Opening
Hours: 24hrs
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| SIN T3 SKL |
My
boarding pass was processed by one of the friendly lounge attendants, and I was
directed to the Business Class section on the left.
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| SIN T3 SKL entrance |
The
lounge was somewhat deserted when I arrived. I suppose this was one of SQ’s
less busy periods of the day, after the morning eastbound departures and before
the evening westbound/Australian peaks.
As you
enter the lounge there’s a long hallway that leads you past the dining section
of the lounge into the main seating area. I found that although it was not too
crowded, most the seats in the section by the windows (albeit facing the
terminal) were taken.
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| SIN T3 SKL seating |
One of
the banes of this lounge was that it lacked natural light and tarmac views of
any sort, which in my opinion is disappointing for a lounge primarily serving
the airlines’ Business Class passengers and PPS Club members. As such the seats
with the windows, even though they faced the terminal, end up being my first
choice whenever I use this lounge.
Barring
my qualm about the lack of natural light, the lounge was still pleasant as it
has always been during my visits. Quintessentially-SQ, it was charming,
spacious and presented a sense of warmth and class.
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| SIN T3 SKL |
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| SIN T3 SKL seating |
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| SIN T3 SKL seating |
The
dining area, containing some seating, a main buffet area and two drinks
sections, was more crowded compared to the rest of the lounge.
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| SIN T3 SKL dining area |
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| SIN T3 SKL dining area |
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| SIN T3 SKL food |
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| SIN T3 SKL food |
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| SIN T3 SKL food |
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| SIN T3 SKL champagne |
As it was
lunchtime when I visited, there were local and western options in the buffet. I
was sad, however, that my favourite Laksa
was swapped out in favour of Singaporean
Prawn Noodles.
I went
for rice with portions of braised beef, curry fish and to-die-for fried chicken
drumlets, which was brought out of the kitchen not too long ago.
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| SIN T3 SKL food |
The
drumlets were so good that I (shamelessly) took more when I returned to the
buffet for desserts.
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| SIN T3 SKL food |
I decided
to get started on some work after lunch, and settled down at one of the many
sofas in the main section of the lounge. Finding seats next to power points was
challenging, but I managed just fine with a bit of hunting and seeking.
I worked
for about an hour and made time for a bathroom break, necessitated by all the
coffee, cans of Bitter Lemon and water I’ve been having throughout the time I
was there. Oh, did I forget to mention I got carried away and had one flute too
many of Champagne while still on the ground?
The
toilet was immaculate. Clean, well-stocked with amenities. So many other
airlines and airports could learn a thing or two from SQ on how to properly
maintain their facilities on the ground!
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| SIN T3 SKL toilet |
I left
the lounge at around 4:30pm and made my way by Skytrain back to Terminal 2. It
started to get crowded in T3 by then, which got worst on the Skytrain as passengers
made their way back to T2 for the evening Asian departures. The scene as we
were waiting for the Skytrain resembled a mass migration of sorts.
I arrived
in T2 and made my way to our assigned gate, F42, right at the tip of the F-pier
in T2.
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| SIN T2 Skytrain station |
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| SIN T2 airside |
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| SIN T2 airside |
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| SIN T2 airside |
Boarding
began slightly later at 5:05pm, five minutes after the stated boarding time.
CONCLUSION
The
SilverKris Lounge in T3 barely lived up to its reputation, and I left
unimpressed after my visit. Being the flagship lounge of an airline that so
proudly advertises its status as SkyTrax’s most recent Airline of the Year, I
had expected improvements to the lounge after my last visit in 2017. Despite
that, it did not turn out that way as I did not notice much enhancements to the
ground experience. The furniture looked dated, and the overall ambience was
beginning to feel lifeless and unattractive.
Thankfully,
there’s news that the airline is planning for a revamp to the decade-old
SilverKris Lounge in T2 and T3. The face-lifted SilverKris(es) is likely to
feature the ‘Home Away From Home’
concept, as found in outstations like Sydney, Hong Kong, and most recently
Bangkok. I am looking forward to the revamped SilverKris in Singapore and I
carry high expectations, being the homebase of the airline.
I managed
to visit the SilverKris in Bangkok after this and was left thoroughly
impressed.
Otherwise,
I enjoyed the time spent. The food was decent and what you’d expect from an
airport lounge.
I liked
that they served the same champagne on the ground as in the air – Charles
Heidsieck Brut Reserve. I’m no wine connoisseur, but I believe serving the same
champagne in the ground and in the air gives passengers the impression that:
the airline is serving top-notch, first-rate products; and assures passengers
that the airline is not one to skimp on its ground offerings in an attempt to
economise. Plus points to the airline for this.
What are your expectations of airport
lounges? Should an airline be expected to enhance offerings first in its home
base?
