Top places to relax in Changi Airport for some respite

By now, tired isn’t just an adjective but a way of life. And who could blame you? With the way hybrid work arrangements blur the lines between our homes and the office, it’s hard to truly switch off nowadays.

Well, at least there are plenty of places in Singapore — especially within Changi Airport — where you can find your centre and achieve inner peace, even if just for a couple of hours. Here are some of the best locations to chill and relax!

Quiet, chill cafes with lé aesthetics

1. Hub & Spoke Cafe

Located in a quaint little glasshouse just outside Terminal 2 is a casual dining spot helmed by the folks behind Roast & Toast.

Like the rest of Changi Airport, horticulture features heavily here. Not only does Hub & Spoke sport an Instagrammable colonial style cafe interior, but it also hosts a lush garden with over 2,700 plants. Its picturesque garden theme, combined with a scrumptious food line-up of Laksa (S$6.90) and Ribeye Steak (S$19.90), makes it the perfect place to disconnect from the stress of life.

For those who cycle to let off some steam, you’d also be pleased to know that there’s a full suite of amenities for cyclists. After cycling along the Changi Airport Connector, you can park your bicycle, wash it, pump some air back into the tires and even take a quick shower before popping in for a relaxing meal.
 

Location: 60 Airport Boulevard #01-T2S-02 (closest to Terminal 2)
Opening hours: Opens daily from 7:30am to 9:45pm

2. Arteastiq Bistro

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Casual yet classy, Arteastiq is a fantas-tiq little boutique tea house perched atop Jewel’s Canopy Park — a relaxing oasis that offers respite away from the hustle and bustle.

From where it overlooks the HSBC Rain Vortex, this botanical bistro is the epitome of tropical elegance with its impressive line-up of artisanal tea selections and a medley of bold Asian-inspired delights. The real stars of the menu though, have to be their afternoon tea sets. Instead of the usual petite fours, here you’re getting the likes of fancy kueh pie tees, caviars and canapes, perfect for a peaceful and intimate tete-a-tete with a friend.
 

Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #05-201
Opening hours: Opens daily from 11:00am to 10:00pm

3. % Arabica

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With its clean and white minimalist decor, the famous Kyoto-born cafe is practically oozing with zen vibes. There’s just something about the lack of clutter that eases not just the mind but also the soul.

Despite being located in the middle of , it doesn’t feel the least bit claustrophobic. Thanks to the lush green plants, stepping into % Arabica feels like you’re stepping into a calm, quiet oasis, but with a delicious cuppa in hand.

If it helps, their coffee is truly something special, especially their Dark Latte (S$8.60) that’s got that extra robust earthy flavour. Just ask any coffee aficionado and they’ll spill the beans about the right coffee that can calm your nerves.
 

Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #01-K208
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 11:00am to 10:00pm, Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday – 10:00am to 10:00pm

Relaxing studios to unwind and treat yo-self

1. Cuttour Hair Studio

Looks (or names, in this case) are deceiving. Despite what its name suggests, Cuttour Hair Studio isn’t just your average snip-and-go barber. Instead, they provide an entire spa experience for your weary head.

Their flagship outlet at Jewel Changi Airport features a Luxury Head Spa Room, complete with fully reclining massage chairs exclusively for customers who seek their relaxing Head Spa (S$188).

Just like an actual spa, expect soft soothing music, romantic ambient lighting and even aromatherapy to help set the vibes. They also offer professional nail services if you’d like to get the whole package. At the end of the session, customers don’t just leave looking like a whole new person, but feeling like one too.
 

Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #04-237
Opening hours: Open daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm

2. Ning Foot & Back Spa

Looking for chill things to do? There’s nothing quite as relaxing as an actual massage to help undo those stubborn knots and melt your fatigue away, is there?

Ning Foot & Back Spa prides itself on being a first-class spa and luxury haven with services rooted in the Chinese word for peace and serenity: Ning.

Foot massages, back massages, shoulder massages, they’ve got it all. But why not just treat yourself to a full-body shiatsu massage (S$160)? Based on the Japanese art of healing, the masseurs target the pressure points on the body that help to restore natural balance.

Alternatively, there’s their award-winning detox massage (S$150) that’s sure to soothe your sore muscles and leave you feeling refreshed.

Can’t get enough of the massage? Consider getting your very own massager to work off those kinks and knots in the comfort of your home.
 

Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #04-215/216
Opening hours: Opens daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm

Zen areas to vibe in

1. Changi Lounge

Even the most enthusiastic of shoppers need a break from the crowd every now and then — Changi Lounge at Jewel Changi Airport provides just that and more.

Anyone who’s had the fortune of enjoying one of Changi’s in-transit lounges would know just how luxurious their space is, and now you can experience it without having to book a flight! Cosy, tranquil, yet spacious, Changi Lounge at Jewel provides a pocket of relief where you can have a spot of high tea and relax before throwing yourself back into your shopping, fully recharged.

The space also doubles up as a hot-desking work environment if parents want to get some work done after dropping their kids off to play. With high-speed internet access, ample charging and power points and even meeting rooms with video conferencing facilities, it provides everything you’d need to work remotely without sacrificing the comfort of your home.

Lounge access comes at S$15 for their 2-hour package and S$24 for their 4-hour package, but if you’d like to stay longer you could always get their full day package for S$44 at the best value. Reservations are available for those who’d like to spend four hours or more within the premises!
 

Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #01-304
Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm

2. Shiseido Forest Valley

Sure, the iconic waterfall at Jewel Changi Airport attracts endless crowds, but look a little deeper and you’d find pockets of peaceful space interspersed throughout the Shiseido Forest Valley.

Hidden within the greenery, the drone of the masses dissipates into a gentle hum in the background here. Instead, the sound of the rain vortex becomes much more pronounced, kind of like an ASMR meditation soundtrack played on a surround sound system.

If you struggle with sitting still and just relaxing, you could always give forest bathing a try! For the uninitiated, forest bathing involves stripping away your emotional baggage and letting all your worldly worries wash off your back as you reconnect with nature. But to put it in concrete terms, it’s the act of connecting to nature and everything around us, and in the process, reconnecting with the inner self, with the help of a forest bathing guide.

Sign-ups for forest bathing sessions, conducted by XIU Nature Connections are available online.

Location: Shiseido Forest Valley at Jewel Changi Airport

 

With an impressive array of nice places to chill in Singapore Changi Airport, don’t forget to take regular breaks to allow yourself some rest every now and then. After all, to rest is to walk further.

 

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