The Changi district is a hot spot for a staycation and here’s why

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Changi’? For most, our world-ranking Changi Airport, while for others, maybe the popular Changi Village Hawker Centre. Few, on the other hand, would imagine Changi as an idyllic area for a relaxing staycation away from the bustling city — but they cannot be more wrong. From having fun with your family at Changi Airport to strolling along Changi Beach with your partner, here are a couple of areas in Changi for the perfect weekend getaway. And for those visiting Singapore, if you’re looking to stay close to nature and a tranquil beach, Changi is the place for you. Psst..! Read on for not one but three, exclusive Now Boarding “staycay” packages!

Explore the all-in-one paradise of Changi Airport

Staycations are for relaxing, and sometimes, short family getaways can be the best remedy for a cluttered mind. With more than 400 retail outlets and 140 dining options, Changi Airport is a one-stop destination that also has a host of kid-friendly activities to keep young ones entertained.

Get comfy and watch screenings and performances at ST3PS, designed to look like a stepped amphitheatre

Recently unveiled at Terminal 3, an atrium space and Fun Art garden meticulously designed for families offer an open and interactive space including a stepped terrace where you can catch free movie screenings and football matches.

For the children specifically, there are playgrounds like The Slide at T3 — a four-storey high slide for a squealing time of fun, wood block rubbing stations at T1 and T3 where your imaginative little ones can create their own colourful masterpieces. There are also public viewing galleries where they get to watch planes take off and land.

With the newly opened Jewel Changi Airport, you can also expect a whole new shopping experience right by the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 40m high with a mesmerizing Light and Sound show at night to boot!

Where to eat at Changi Airport

Restaurants in Terminal 3’s Basement 2

T3’s newly-furbished Basement 2 unveils an aviation-themed food hall, Terminal M, which serves a good mix of Korean, Japanese and Chinese food — all halal certified. For more halal fare, there are also restaurants like Andes by Aston and Ma Mum, both located in T4.

If you just want a pick-me-up, you can also bite into a Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart or grab a cup of local-inspired bubble tea at #Sip — think barley infused with fragrant pandan leaves.

Where to stay around Changi Airport

Crowne Plaza Singapore offers a lavish stay with a scenic view. Their Premier Room with Runway View, in particular, lets you watch planes fly by while you soak in the bathtub, or pamper yourself with breakfast in bed! It’s also directly connected to Terminal 3, so you’re not far from the array of activities that await in the airport.

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Splurge a little and treat your family to a luxurious weekend staycation at Crowne Plaza. Photo credit: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

YOLTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport  is the first of its kind with futuristic designs that resemble a first-class aircraft — great for a short rest during layovers. But if you’re looking for low-cost staycation, they could fit the bill too. YOTELAIR is located right inside Jewel (Level 4) so all you need to do is step out the door to enter the shopping paradise.

Stay in rooms that are cheekily named ‘cabins’ at YOTELAIR. Photo credits: YOTELAIR Changi Airport.

Unwind amid nature in Changi Village

Another way to relax is to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, and Changi Village has tons of opportunities for you to do just that. Changi Point Coastal Walk, for instance, offers a beautiful view of the coastline and is open to public 24/7. With six sections that provide different stunning views of the horizon — Creek Walk, Beach Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Cliff Walk, Kelong Walk and Sunset Walk — absolutely perfect for a romantic evening stroll.

Get the ultimate sun, sand and sea experience at Changi Beach Park

There’s also Changi Beach Park, where you can watch airplanes make their way to the airport, go fishing at the jetties, or rent a bike to race down the coastline with your friends from places like PCN Pitstop — where you can rent a bike from one end of the beach and return it at the outlet on the other end. If you’d like to cruise on the waters, you can also charter keelboats for a fee at the Changi Sailing Club just a 15-minute walk away.

What’s more — Pulau Ubin is only a 15-minute ferry ride away from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. For S$3/person (one-way), you can easily go on a day trip to the island to check out the Butterfly Hill, created to preserve and showcase regional butterflies. Alternatively, trot over to Chek Jawa Wetlands where you can spot water birds and tidal sea creatures, while enjoying the fresh air.

Where to eat around Changi Village

Enjoy the sea breeze on an outdoor deck in the middle of the sea. Photo credit: Smith Marine

A 10-minute ferry ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, make your way to Smith Marine, a restaurant housed on a kelong (an offshore wooden platform). Serving the freshest seafood, you can even try your hands at fishing in a sure-catch pond managed by the restaurant.

For a more affordable alternative, feast your hearts out at Changi Village Hawker Centre. From Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon that serves a hearty plate of Satay Bee Hoon for only S$3.50, to International Muslim Nasi Lemak, it’s truly a paradise for a local food hunt.

Where to stay around Changi Village

Only about 15 to 20 minutes by foot away from the furthest attraction, Raintr33 Hotel is designed as a nature getaway with rows of old-style colonial bungalows and lush greenery. 

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Named after trees, some of the rooms at Raintr33 Hotel offer a private balcony. Photo credit: Raintr33 Hotel

Village Hotel, on the other hand, offers luxurious comfort that’s closer to Changi Beach Park but further from the boardwalk. You can soak in the Infinity Pool on Level 8 as you look out towards an infinite horizon, or hang out by the patio and watch the day go by.

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Check in to Village Hotel for a cosy weekend getaway. Photo credit: Village Hotel Changi

There’s truly much respite to be found in the East of Singapore, whether you’re looking for a quiet escapade at Changi Village or to de-stress with quality family time around Changi Airport. And with a stay at some of these hotels, your retreat is not far away. Indulge in spas, lounge by the pool and take long romantic strolls amidst lush foliage — it already sounds like a relaxing getaway (without having to cross the borders!)