Review: Qatar Airways Premium Lounge Singapore

Beautiful interiors, excellent F&B and sublime service make the Qatar Premium Lounge the best Business Class lounge in Changi. A must visit.

Nestled away in a corner of Changi Terminal 1 is one of the airport’s best kept secrets: the Qatar Premium Lounge.ย 

I say “secret” because of how blissfully unaware most passengers are of its existence. If you’re flying Business Class on Finnair, Japan Airlines, or Malaysia Airlines, for example, the check-in staff will point you in the direction of the extremely mediocre contract lounges, where soggy buffet food, tetra-pack juices and dollar-store wines await.

But instead, you could beย sitting down for a fine-dining experience featuring champagne and bespoke cocktails, taking an invigorating shower in a private suite with Diptyque amenities, and enjoying personalised service worthy of a luxury hotel!

It all boils down to knowing your entitlements, and those who do will always make time for what’s undoubtedly the best Business Class lounge in all of Changi Airport.ย 

๐Ÿธ tl;dr: Qatar Premium Lounge
Beautiful interiors, excellent F&B and sublime service make the Qatar Premium Lounge the best Business Class lounge in Changi. A must visit.
๐Ÿ‘ The good ๐Ÿ‘Ž The bad
  • Gorgeously-designed interiors and dรฉcor
  • Fantastic a la carte dining menu & full service bar
  • Warm and friendly service by the excellent lounge team
  • Could do with some hot items at the buffet for passengers who need a quick in-and-out option
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตย  Land of the Sinking Yen

Getting to the Qatar Premium Lounge

The Qatar Airways Premium Lounge is located post-immigration at Changi Terminal 1:

  • If you’re coming from Terminal 1, turn left after immigration and walk towards the C gates
  • If you’re coming from Terminal 2, exit the Skytrain and walk across the concourse to the C gates
  • If you’re coming from Terminal 3, exit the Skytrain and look for the escalator near the C gate transfer desks
โ“ย Flying from Terminal 2?
If you’re intending to return to Terminal 2 after visiting the Qatar Premium Lounge, it’s faster to take the Skytrain to Terminal 3 and then transfer to Terminal 2, rather than walking back across the concourse to the Terminal 1 <> Terminal 2 Skytrain.

Head up the escalator near the C gate transfer desks to level 3. You’ll see the Emirates Lounge, and next to it, the Qatar Premium Lounge.

Escalator to Level 3
Level 3 lounges

Access and Operating Hours

Qatar Premium Lounge Singapore

The Qatar Premium Lounge opens from 5.30 p.m to 1.45 a.m daily (the official website says 6 p.m to 3 a.m, but I’ve confirmed these timings with the lounge staff directly),ย which means it’s available to passengers on the evening QR945 and QR947 flights, but not the morning QR943.ย 

  • QR943 (departs 1055 hrs)
  • QR947 (departs 2025 hrs)
  • QR945 (departs 0200 hrs)

Access is available to passengers departing on a Qatar Airways or oneworld-operated flight:

  • In First Class (+1 guest)
  • In Business Class
  • In Premium Economy or Economy, provided you’re arriving on a โ‰ฅ5 hours First/Business Class oneworld flight, with a connection on the same day or before 6 a.m the following day

For example, a passenger arriving from London on British Airways Business Class and connecting to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines Economy Class could access the Qatar Premium Lounge.ย 

Based on the current operating hours and schedule, you can use the Qatar Premium Lounge as a First or Business Class passenger on the following non-Qatar flights:

  • QF2 to Sydney (1915 departure)
  • QF72 to Perth (1915 departure)
  • QF52 to Brisbane (1920 departure)
  • MH616 to Kuala Lumpur (1930 departure)
  • QF36 to Melbourne (1940 departure)
  • UL309 to Colombo (1950 departure)
  • QF82 to Sydney (2005 departure)
  • BA15 to Sydney (2010 departure)
  • MH610 to Kuala Lumpur (2120 departure)
  • JL36 to Tokyo Haneda (2225 departure)
  • AY132 to Helsinki (2230 departure)
  • BA16 to London (2305 departure)
  • BA12 to London (2315 departure)
  • QF1 to London (2355 departure)

Unfortunately, Qatar Airways does not grant lounge access to passengers who have upgraded from Economy to Business Class using Avios (full redemptions enjoy lounge access). Passengers who purchased Business Class Lite Fares are also barred from entry.ย 

Likewise, oneworld Sapphire or Emerald members flying in Premium Economy or Economy Class will be sent to the SATS Premier Lounge instead (if you’re a oneworld Emerald, you’ll definitely want to go to the Qantas First Class Lounge anyway).

Overview: Qatar Premium Lounge

The Qatar Premium Lounge in Singapore is the airline’s fifth outstation lounge after Bangkok, Beirut, London, and Paris. Opened in August 2019, it operated for just over half a year before COVID forced it to go into cold shutdown. The much-anticipated reopening took place in June this year, and while operating hours are shorter than before the pandemic, inside the lounge it’s like no time has passed at all.ย 

Qatar Premium Lounge reception area

An automatic glass door slides open to reveal a refreshingly minimalist entrance area, in stark contrast to the try-hard bling that some Middle Eastern carriers adopt. The sandstone wall bears an Arabic inscription reading “marhaba”- hello in Arabic, and also the much-inferior lounge that other oneworld carriers point their passengers too!

In a nod to the Singapore setting, a vase of fresh white orchids adorns a solitary table. Guests with luggage are invited to store their bags in the luggage storage room, and offered complimentary garment steaming services.ย 

The passageway to the lounge is lined by a decorative LED wall, where a single TV monitor displays boarding times for oneworld departures.ย 

Feature wall

With a floor space of just 700 sqm, the Qatar Premium Lounge is the smallest oneworld lounge in all of Changi. However, it never felt crowded the whole time I was there. After the passengers from QR947 cleared out just before 8 p.m, the lounge was virtually empty till I left at 10 p.m. It’s a shame that so many eligible passengers miss out on this treat, but I’ll take the peace and quiet!

The lounge’s dรฉcor is, quite simply, gorgeous. The colour palette uses warm, muted and calming hues, as well as contemporary furnishings to create the feel of a posh living room.ย 

Qatar Premium Lounge “main street”
Qatar Premium Lounge “main street” (reverse angle)

The entrance of the lounge leads into what I call “main street”, divided between a communal seating area and individual lounging pods. The seating area on the left has burnt orange leather upholstered armchairs and nesting coffee tables, complete with a mini-bar and TV area.

Communal seating area
Communal seating area
Communal seating area

Running along the opposite wall are five semi-private Quiet Pods. These are enclosed by soundproof walls, with universal power outlets, USB ports and a reading light. Truth be told, they’re more suitable for relaxing than working since there isn’t much desk space, and the chair is designed for reclining rather than sitting upright.ย Do note that food and drinks are not permitted in the pods (though they close one eye for water).

Quiet Pod
Quiet Pod
Quiet Pod

If you want to get serious work done, you’re better off parking yourself at one of the two workstations near the entrance to the lounge, equipped with Windows desktop computers and printing facilities. Like the pods, this is a no food and drink area.ย 

Workstations

Further inside the lounge is the first of two dining areas, known as The Garden Bistro. A lush living wallย sets the backdrop for the area, offering a stylish and oh-so-instagrammable place to grab a bite.

Dining area

If you just want drinks and snacks, you can opt for one of the four high tables running along the windows facing the airport’s Cactus Garden.

High tables

The lounge’s centrepiece is the Martini Bar, which contrary to its name, serves up every kind of libation you could ask for. It’s set beneath a stunning chandelier, decorated with beautiful hexagonal tiles and finished with a white marble countertop. Eight high stools are laid out in a circle around the bar.

Bar

The Garden Bistro has space for just 12 guests, but additional seating is available at what’s called The Brasserie, a more formal dining environment with seating for 16.

The Brasserie

To the rear of the lounge are additional seating areas.

Qatar Premium Lounge seating
Qatar Premium Lounge seating
Qatar Premium Lounge seating
Qatar Premium Lounge seating

You may have noticed the low-density configuration, and indeed this is the most spacious oneworld lounge in Changi, offering passengers more than double the personal space as the Qantas Business Lounge!

Lounge Size Capacity Per Pax
Qatar Airways 700 sqm 85 8.2 sqm
British Airways 1,005 sqm 226 4.5 sqm
Cathay Pacific 850 sqm 200 4.3 sqm
Qantas First 1,000 sqm 240 4.2 sqm
Qantas Business 2,200 sqm 570 3.9 sqm

If there’s one thing slightly out of place in an otherwise visually-stunning lounge, it’s the purple seats by the window. While these match the chairs seen in Qatar’s Doha lounge, they do clash with the overall style.

Qatar Premium Lounge seating

Scattered throughout the lounge are nods to Qatari culture, such as books on falconry and pottery from the region.

Feature wall

Food & Beverage

Bar and buffet area

As nice as the seating areas are, it’s the dining that’s the star of the show. Guests can help themselves to a cold buffet featuring breads, salads, fruits, cold cuts, cheese, and traditional Arabic mezze.

Buffet area
Buffet selection
Buffet selection
Buffet selection
Buffet selection

While there was nothing wrong with these, it would have been nice to see a few hot items for the sake of guests who need a grab-and-go option.

If you do have time to linger, however, take a seat and scan a QR code for the lounge’s made-to-order menu. It’s an impressive selection to say the least, featuring local, Middle Eastern and western options.ย 

For starters, I had the tempura prawns, chili king prawns and beef cubes in hoisin sauce. The chili prawns were the pick of the lot, even if “king” is a bit of misnomer. The kitchen managed to caramelise the exterior, which added that wonderful flavour that only the Maillard reaction can produce.ย 

Tempura prawns
Chili king prawns
Beef cubes

For the mains, I tried the pan-seared salmon, which was served with steamed rice, mixed vegetables and a lemongrass sauce. The salmon skin was crispy and the inside still moist.

Seared salmon

I also tried the shrimp massaman curry. I wasn’t as big a fan of this dish because the shell-off prawns were very obviously frozen and lacked their natural sweetness.ย 

Shrimp curry

The highlight by far was the grilled rack of lamb with mashed potatoes. I asked for the lamb to be done medium, and the cook was nothing short of perfection- slightly charred on the outside for flavour, yet pink and juicy on the inside. This may very well be the lounge’s signature dish, and I’d order it again in an artery-clogged heartbeat.ย 

Rack of lamb
Rack of lamb

During a previous visit to the lounge I ordered the grilled beef tenderloin and tagliatelle with mushroom and cream sauce, so I’ll attach the photos below for your reference. The beef was decent but if you only have stomach for one protein, my advice is to take the lamb.

Beef tenderloin
Mushroom tagliatelle

There’s currently only one choice of dessert, so thank goodness the chocolate fondant paired with vanilla ice cream was excellent. Why change a winning combination?

Chocolate fondant

In terms of drinks, two types of champagne are available: Veuve Clicquot Brut, and Bollinger Rose. Fun fact- this is the only oneworld Business Class lounge at Changi to publicly serve champagne (British Airways Lounge guests can get it too, but only on request), so make it count!

Veuve Cliquot champagne
Bollinger Rose champagne

Also on the wine list are three whites and three reds, from California, France, New Zealand and South Australia.ย 

๐Ÿท Qatar Premium Lounge Wine List
Wine Type Vivino Rating
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne 4.3/5
Bollinger Rose Champagne 4.3/5
Little Black Dress Chardonnay White 3.5/5
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc White 3.9/5
Thomas Schmitt Spatlese Riesling White 4.0/5
McGuigan Single Batch Cabernet Sauvignon Red 3.6/5
Chateau Le Gay Merlot Red 4.2/5
AYA Intense Syrah Red Not rated

You can’t visit the Qatar Premium Lounge and not put the bartender through the paces. In fact, he looked positively disappointed when my first choice was champagne! He later took it upon himself to make what I suppose I’ll call a Bruno Mars cocktail- not because it was derivative and offensive to all the senses, but because it was strawberry champagne on ice.ย 

Strawberry champagne cocktail

I later asked for a classic mojito (which is actually one of the most complicated drinks to make), which was lovely too, slightly tacky plastic star stirrer notwithstanding.

Mojito

If you don’t fancy any of the cocktail options, feel free to ask the bartender to craft you a drink! He really loves his work, and going off-menu is no problem for him.

Here’s the rest of the alcoholic options, including two choices of port, beers, and various spirits.

If you don’t partake in the devil’s drink, non-alcoholic options include TWG tea, freshly-squeezed orange juice, Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino water, and various mocktails.ย 

Self-service drinks and snacks can be found in a mini-bar area along main street.

Mini-bar
Mini-bar

Power & Productivity

The lounge’s Wi-Fi network clocked in at 20 Mbps down and 6 Mbps up. Passwords are displayed throughout the lounge, and there’s no further sign-in page required.ย 

Wireless charging pads are built into various table tops throughout the lounge, which reduces the number of unsightly tangled wires.ย 

Wireless charging pads
Wireless charging pads

If your phone does not support wireless charging, universal power outlets and 2x USB Type-A ports can be found beneath most of the tables. The ratio of outlets to seats is almost 1:1, so it’s safe to say you won’t be fighting for one here!

Wired charging outlets
Wired charging outlets

Showers

Qatar Premium Lounge showers and toilets

All toilets and showers in the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge come in individual suites, and can be found at the rear.

Toilet

There’s two showers each in the men’s and ladies’ sections, plus an additional unisex accessible shower room. Of the two shower suites, only one has an attached toilet, so take note if that’s important to you.

Shower suite (without toilet)
Shower suite (with toilet)

Shower suites have luggage racks, which will come in useful for transit passengers living out of a suitcase. You can also pull out a vanity bench from beneath the sink for sitting while you wear shoes.

Shower suite (note the luggage rack)

An invigorating shower awaits thanks to the Groheย rain shower heads, flush mounted with the ceiling. Water pressure was good, and the single-use Rituals bath products have been replaced by bulk-sized Diptyque hand wash, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

Shower
Diptyque hand wash and hand lotion
Diptyque shampoo, conditioner and body wash

Toothbrush kits, cotton buds and shower caps were provided by default.

Service

Martini bar

The service at the Qatar Premium Lounge is absolutely top-notch.ย 

Staff are warm, professional, and above all personable. They approached passengers personally to inform them about boarding times, to see if their drink needed freshening or to coax them to indulge in more of the menu. Used plates and cups were quickly cleared, and toilets always in tip-top condition.

Really, this feels like the kind of service one would expect in a First Class lounge.

Conclusion

A must visit

There’s no doubt in my mind that the Qatar Premium Lounge sets the standard for all Business Class lounges at Changi Airport. It even beats the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, although I know that’s a somewhat unfair comparison insofar as the Qatar lounge is set up to serve 85, versus the 1,150 of the SilverKris.ย 

The interior is gorgeous to behold, the quality of F&B is excellent, and the staff make you feel right at home. Add the unrivalled amount of personal space, and I can’t see why a Business Class passenger would rather go anywhere else.

Unless, of course, they didn’t know.

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

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Phil

Glad you enjoyed it!

Shane

Thorough review – thanks. Do you know if passengers on inbound Qatar flights can enter the lounge, subject to the Business/First Class requirements?

quentin

Hi Aaron, a couple of quick questions. If we are arriving on a BA Club World ticket from LHR and then having to check in to a separate One World economy flight to Sri Lanka that same evening (i.e. separate tickets) do you get access?

Also, does the connecting flight need to be One World or is it the BA Club World ticket which you arrived on giving you access?

Thanks

Alian

Hope the food taste as good as it looks darn it Iโ€™m hungry now.

Glad u managed to try out this lounge.

Thor

I think it is even nicer than our SQ’s crown jewel TPR. The bollinger rose is delish!

Sean

Yes, I wish SQ would learn that food can be colours other than brown…

cheesecake

How does the overall food and experience compare with the Qantas Flounge?

Matrix.RX1

F&B is literally better than then Private Room, located in the same airport!

Matrix.RX1

EDIT: let me rephrase that. How come the F part of F&B is much better in both this Business lounge as well as another First class lounge at the home airport of Singapore Airlines?

Elina

we will be travelling on morning flight QR943 on 3rd December! how unfortunate that it only opens for the later flights. was so excited to try it out.

JW19

Curious as to why have a breakfast menu and not open for one, especially when there are QR flights departing then. Eitherway I realised they have a totally different menu from when I visited last month. Great variety, I can send it your way and some pictures if you fancy.

Bruno

As an emerald I strongly prefer this QR lounge over the QF First lounge.
The F&B, amenities and service are better + itโ€™s less crowded.
Especially between 10pm and 11.30pm when QF1 is in.

Only issue I encountered few weeks ago was that they ran out of many menu choices after QR947 left.

Lee

Strongly disagree. QF F food was extremely forgettable. If you dare venture off the ‘salt and pepper squid’ piste, you’re going to have a bad time.

Lee

Does the concept of a ski slope of battered cephlapods leave you unnerved and a little disgusted? Good. That’s how I feel about QF F lounge.

SSS

Agree 100%. This is way better than the Qantas F lounge, which really is just a glorified Business lounge. (That said, Qantas First is really just glorified Business anyway)

Andrew Hsu

Nice and detailed review~ it seems that the lounge is also opened in the morning
as the menu shows “breakfast” options?

Tony

it’s remarkable that SQ can’t compete with the best lounges at Changi, even after a multi-year $50m+ investment. They just don’t get lounges. This lounge looks great. I like the QF F lounge very. much too.

alfred

fully agree with this!

Jiun

Flying to Japan on Alaska awards next year. Can’t wait to check it out.

mnlbay

While I can’t find anything, would a passenger flying on a non-QR oneworld Business Class award ticket be admissible to the QR Lounge at SIN? (fwiw, flying on AY Business)

I know there’s been some confusion over this in the past at other QR lounges owing to their Business Lite fares etc.

Vin

Would I be able to access the lounge if I’m departing on JAL Economy, but connecting to JAL First Class on the same day?

Derek

Hi Vin, Yeah i was also wondering this question. would the longer part of the ticket (HND-LAX) be used for entrance to the lounge. My only problem would be JL 36 departs SIN after 10 Pm and JL 16 departs HND at around 5PM the next day. Not sure would the rule “Flights departing before 6 am on the following day” applies.

Benny

Thanks for the review, could i check if the lounge is accessible to cathay pacific biz class travellers too?

Game changing lounge

Yes it is possible. Was advised by T4 staff to allow for 90 mins to return from T1 to T4 just to be safe. The air side bus frequency was around 20 mins at night, and buses travel in the following direction :T4 – T1 – T3 – T4. The bus may pause at each stop for 5-10 mins to wait for more passengers. In the best case scenario, the return journey may be completed within around 25-30 mins (eg bus leaves as soon as you get on board, no waiting etc). Its just about 5 mins walk from the… Read more »

Nathan

I went to all four terminals today. Including T4 on the bus, which is great if you a plane geek not in a hurry. Flew into T1 at 6am on Fijian on a J redemption. Hit the jewel lounge for breakfast. Stashed the bags, at paid for baggage drop, watched a movie at the IMAX and shopped until 14:30 when the SATS Premium Early Check-in Desk opened for BA pax. Then began the lounge crawl. Hit them all except BA, who are always middling/poor in comparison, including a few Priority Pass options in T2 and T3. Flew out of T1… Read more »

Minh

Thanks for your review! Looking forward to our JL flight in April. I hope the lounge won’t be too full for Sakura season.

Interesting they served you Farfalle instead of Tagliatelle!

milesmiles

If I am flying out in CX metal from SIN-HKG in Y, and connecting HKG-PVG in J. can I still access Qatar Lounge?

btw, your article says about accessing via T2/T3, so if flying from T4 it wouldnt be advisable?

Kean

Can a Platinum member of Qatar Airways Privilege Club flying Eco on Qatar Airways use the Singapore Qatar Airways Lounge?

Trevor

Just an update on hours. I was there on Thursday, May 16th and they opened at 3:30pm. Iโ€™m not sure if itโ€™s always that way now. They do have a flight to DOH that departs around 6:30pm.

Nathan

Well, that’s disappointing.
I read your review of the bar with interest, rocked in and asked for a Martini. At which point the barmaid reaches for a bottle of vermouth and asks if I want ice and lemonade in it.
I opted for a Tiger and went for a shower.