The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Class Lounge is often described as one of the best business class lounges in the world, and this time we finally had the chance to experience it on our first ever business class flight!
We had a lot of time to spare because we actually went to the airport early for our toddler’s nap. Although our flight was at Terminal 2, we headed over to the bigger T3 lounge and then visited the one at T2.
If you’re flying Singapore Airlines Business Class from Changi Airport and wondering whether you should arrive early to enjoy either the T2 or T3 lounge, especially with an 18-month-old toddler in tow, here’s what we have tried and experienced.
About This Review
The SilverKris Business Class Lounge is often considered one of the highlights of flying Singapore Airlines Business Class, but does it actually live up to the reputation?
Before our recent flight, we spent several hours in the SilverKris Business Class Lounge at Changi Airport, giving us plenty of time to explore almost every part of the lounge, from the buffet and live cooking stations to the snooze area, showers and different seating zones. We also visited with our toddler, which gave us a different perspective on how family-friendly the lounge really is.
In this review, I’ll share my honest experience, including what impressed me, where I think the lounge falls short, how crowded it gets during different times of the day, and whether it’s worth arriving at the airport early just to spend more time here. Rather than simply listing the facilities, I’ll explain what the overall experience was actually like and whether it lives up to Singapore Airlines’ reputation for premium travel.
Who Is This Review For?
This review is for anyone flying Singapore Airlines Business Class or travelling with lounge access through the PPS Club or Star Alliance who wants to know whether the SilverKris Business Class Lounge is worth visiting.
You might find it particularly useful if you’re flying out of Changi Airport for the first time, have a long layover before your flight, or are wondering whether it’s worth arriving at the airport a few hours early. I’ve also included observations from visiting with an 18-month-old toddler, so if you’re travelling as a family, you’ll get a better idea of the lounge’s seating, dining options, rest facilities and whether it’s a comfortable place to spend a few hours before boarding.
Key Takeaways
- The SilverKris Business Class Lounge offers one of the best overall Business Class lounge experiences at Changi Airport, with excellent dining, comfortable seating and a wide range of facilities.
- The live cooking stations and buffet provide plenty of variety, making it easy to enjoy a proper meal before your flight.
- The dedicated snooze area is a useful addition for longer layovers, although the limited number of pods means they can fill up quickly during peak departure periods.
- Shower suites are clean, modern and well maintained, making them ideal for freshening up before a long-haul flight.
- The lounge can become noticeably crowded during the evening departure bank, so arriving earlier in the day generally offers a much quieter experience.
- If you have access, it’s well worth arriving at Changi Airport a little earlier to make the most of the lounge before your flight.
Is the food actually good?
The SilverKris Lounge offers a proper meal before your flight. In fact, if you’re departing from Singapore, I’d recommend arriving early enough to enjoy the lounge rather than eating in the terminal. The quality is above what you’d probably expect from a typical business class lounge, and the variety is impressive enough that most travellers should have no trouble finding something they’ll enjoy.
One thing I particularly appreciated is that the menu reflects Singapore’s multicultural food scene. Instead of focusing solely on Western dishes, the buffet usually includes a good mix of local favourites alongside Chinese, Indian and Western options.
Depending on the time of day, you’ll typically find several hot mains, soups, rice dishes, vegetables, salads and freshly baked breads, together with lighter options for those who prefer not to eat a heavy meal before flying.
The live cooking stations receive especially strong reviews, and I wholeheartedly agree that the laksa station is definitely worth going to the lounge for.
If you’re travelling with young children, the buffet format works surprisingly well. Instead of waiting for table service, you can quickly assemble a meal that suits your toddler’s preferences. The ability to choose smaller portions from different dishes also means you don’t have to worry about ordering an entire meal your toddler may refuse to eat.
That said, there is the option to order from a kids’ menu if you want something that is more appropriate for younger palates.
Desserts are another pleasant surprise. Rather than a single cake sitting in the corner, there’s usually a small but well-curated selection that might include cakes, pastries, local sweets, fresh fruit and other rotating desserts. Just don’t come in with the expectations that they should be elaborate enough to compete with a dedicated dessert buffet.
The drinks selection is equally comprehensive. Coffee lovers can help themselves to freshly brewed coffee from the self-service machines, while tea drinkers will find a respectable range of teas.
Soft drinks, juices, and milk are available throughout the lounge, making it easy to stay hydrated before a long flight. Fresh fruit juices are often available alongside the standard beverages, which is a nice touch.
Alcoholic drinks are also well represented. Self-service wine, beer and spirits are available throughout the day, while the staffed bar serves cocktails during operating hours and barista-prepared coffee in selected periods. Sparkling wine and Champagne are also available.
Verdict
Among business class lounges worldwide, the food is genuinely above average. If you’re hungry before your flight, arriving early is worthwhile.
How crowded does the lounge get?
This is probably the biggest complaint you’ll find online. The SilverKris Business Lounge is a victim of its own success. Singapore Airlines operates a huge premium network through Changi, and many passengers have access.
During peak evening departure periods, the lounge can become surprisingly busy. Finding a seat is rarely impossible, but finding your preferred seat can sometimes be challenging.
Verdict
Comfortable when moderately occupied. Noticeably less impressive during peak hours.
Are the showers worth using?
While I haven’t used the showers myself, I did take a peep and find that the shower suites are pretty clean, spacious and well-maintained.
Online reviews say that water pressure is generally good, amenities are replenished regularly, and cleanliness standards are typically excellent.
Verdict
One of the better business class lounge shower experiences in Asia.
The Snooze Area: A Welcome Retreat Before a Long Flight
One feature that doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as the buffet or the showers is the lounge’s dedicated snooze area.
Tucked away towards the quieter end of the SilverKris Business Class Lounge, this space is designed for travellers who simply need to rest before boarding. Rather than private nap rooms, the Business Class Lounge offers a series of semi-private sleep pods with reclining loungers separated by partitions, creating a calmer environment away from the main dining and seating areas.
While they don’t lie completely flat, they’re comfortable enough for a short nap or simply putting your feet up after a long day. Blankets, pillows, and eye masks are also available.
That said, it’s worth keeping your expectations realistic. This isn’t a dedicated sleeping suite like those found in Singapore Airlines’ First Class Lounge or The Private Room. The pods are part of a shared rest area, and because there are only a limited number of them, they’re often occupied during peak departure periods or late at night. If catching a nap before your flight is important, it’s worth arriving early rather than assuming one will be available.
I was also a bit unlucky to have the misfortune of sharing the rest area with a passenger who snored extremely loudly throughout the entire time my toddler was trying to take her nap.
Verdict
Decent, but lack of sound ventilation can be a headache with other snoring passengers.
Travelling with babies and toddlers: is the SilverKris Business Class Lounge family-friendly?
After travelling through Changi Airport with a toddler, I’ve come to appreciate airport lounges very differently.
Before becoming a parent, I never really bothered with lounges. Travelling with an active toddler changes those priorities almost completely. Suddenly you’re looking for quiet corners, somewhere to change nappies, space for your child to move around without disturbing other travellers, and perhaps most importantly, somewhere to decompress before a long flight.
The SilverKris Business Class Lounge does many of these things well, even though I suppose it isn’t specifically designed as a family lounge.
One feature I found particularly useful was the sleeper (or snooze) area. If your baby or toddler needs a nap, this becomes one of the most valuable parts of the lounge. Of course, it also works for other adults who just need a nice rest in between taking care of the kids.
For families with babies, nappy changes and feeding are also easy to manage in the lounge. There are dedicated Baby Care Rooms, complete with changing tables, nursing areas and hot water dispensers for preparing milk.
One thing some parents may be looking for is a children’s play room. It’s worth noting that there is one in T2 and one in T3, but the T2 play room feels a lot more catered to younger kids.
T3’s play room only features a TV and some bean bags!
For us, the biggest advantage was simply having a comfortable, uncrowded place where our family could enjoy a proper meal, freshen up, let our toddler settle down and start the journey feeling far less rushed than we otherwise would have.
Final Verdict
The food alone is reason enough to arrive early. Between the extensive international buffet, freshly prepared dishes from the live cooking stations and a well-stocked selection of drinks, it’s one of the strongest dining experiences you’ll find in a business class lounge. Add comfortable seating, excellent shower suites and the dedicated snooze area, and it’s easy to spend a couple of hours here without ever feeling the need to leave.
What surprised me most, however, was how well the lounge caters to families. Travelling with a toddler can often make airport lounges feel more stressful than relaxing, but the SilverKris Business Class Lounge goes a long way towards changing that. The dedicated children’s play room gives little ones a chance to burn off some energy before boarding, while the baby care room provides a clean, private space for nappy changes and feeding. Combined with the spacious layout and quieter seating areas, it makes travelling with young children noticeably more comfortable than waiting at the boarding gate.
For us, that family-friendly design made just as much of an impression as the food. Instead of counting down the minutes until boarding, we were able to enjoy a proper meal, let our toddler play for a while, freshen up, and even take turns relaxing in the snooze area. By the time we boarded our flight, everyone felt far more rested than we usually do at the start of a long journey.
If you’re flying Singapore Airlines Business Class from Changi Airport, I’d strongly recommend arriving at least two to three hours before departure.
