Singapore Airlines - Swish!
I probably would've put on the extra steps had there been a walkway connecting T1 and T3, but there isn't one. I guess I could try and walk around the ring road outside the terminal, but I didn't know if it was possible, plus it was humid and raining outside. Nope, the usual aerotrain for me.
T3, pretty much exclusively used by SQ, is a magnificent arrangement of marble, sculpture and plants. Very pleasant and looks far less Asia-hackneyed than T1. The look may be gaudy to some, but this is Singaporean 'elegance'.
Panorama of SIN T3 check-in area.
SQ F pax have a choice of checking in with the regular priority check-in (e.g. for J pax etc.), or they can use the First Class lobby, located at one of the far ends of T3. No prizes for guessing which one I decided on... so I braved the humidity and the light sprinkle of rain...
Approaching the lobby for SQ F check-in.
...and now - I had arrived...
SQ F check-in lobby entrance at SIN T3.
Inside the SQ F check-in lobby.
The SQ F lobby (and later the SilverKris Lounge) had markedly different architecture and design compared to that of the rest of T3. The particular emphasis is the blend of brown, cream and dull yellow - of course, this all amounts to a harmonious variation on what would otherwise be monochromatically gold. This grandeur of colour was accented with purple, via the occasional orchid.
There was no one being attended to when I arrived at the lobby, so I had almost all of the half-dozen staff attending to me in various capacities. A porter took hold of my bag as I was escorted to a desk where I was checked in and given my chosen and elusive 'single traveler' seat, 1B.
My boarding pass. Notice the gold SQ logo sticker. Not sure why that is entirely necessary.
The lobby felt more like a medium hall and rather oversized, although I guess that picture changes when many of the F pax turn up (i.e. for the evening rush). I was given my boarding pass and an invitation to The Private Room. Normally, I had thought that only F tickets paid with money could gain access to The Private Room (cf. not an award ticket like me, especially a Saver award!), however, hot on the heels of a friend who redeemed and experienced likewise, perhaps I misunderstood or misheard the rules.
SQ F pax get a dedicated immigration lane (which was again deserted), but then one must take a few steps through the common airside concourse to reach the steps up to the SilverKris Lounges.
Looking up at the entrance to the SilverKris Lounges.
The SilverKris Lounges have an unexpected difference to most Star Alliance lounges, in that access to these lounges are only allowed for those who are flying SQ, and even then (with the possible exception of KrisFlyer elites and PPS members) only for those who are flying J, F or Suites.
Wait, did you say F? Oh right, that's me
Up the escalators I went and the first greeter checked my BP and warmly escorted me to the right towards the First Class section, and then, after another warm greeting from another greeter guarding the First Class section, down the hall again to The [hallowed] Private Room. Once again, I find myself alone in luxury...
Entrance to the SilverKris First section.
About to enter The Private Room!
The first look into The Private Room.
It's really odd having a whole lounge - even as small as The Private Room - all to yourself, so to speak. You know that feeling where you're traveling alone and your hotel offers you a suite - that feeling when you just walk in the door and realise that even in the bathroom even a slow walk on the tiles resonates tremendously and there's enough room to swing a cat and then some? That's what it felt like.
Speaking of the bathroom, as I entered The Private Room and soaking up the atmosphere, one of the attendants greeted me and invited me to a table, however I informed him that I would first and foremost like a refreshing shower. He told me where the showers were and told me it was perfectly alright (at least, at this particular moment in time) to leave my belongings on a chair in The Private Room lounge area, so I collected a couple of tidbits and headed for the bathrooms.
The bathroom was large and felt quite open, sporting two shower rooms with all the necessities provided. Also, you dry your hands in this bathroom with real sturdy wash cloths which are collected and rewashed, as opposed to disposable paper towelling (or even a hi-tech, hi-power Dyson hand blow-dryer).
As you enter the bathrooms...
Basket of various amenities in the shower room.
The shower pressure was alright, although it was unusual that SQ provided refillable shower soap / shampoo / conditioner rather than bottles of the stuff; in saying that, most would probably only be a bit taken aback because refillable washables are often only satisfactory in quality (but fit for purpose). Nevertheless, they did the job and the rest of the amenities provided next to the vanity sufficed too, including quite nice Salvatore Ferragamo products.
Shower over and
now it was ready for some food. The Private Room features both a compact selection of self-serve food (mainly comfort stuff) available at a buffet, but the shine in the lounge was the a la carte dining.
Buffet in The Private Room - for those who are satisfied by the basics.
The Private Room "restaurant" - feels almost like a classy lounge bar.
As I seated myself and started perusing the short menu, I was brought a wet towel on a small plate for the purpose. The towel was cool rather than hot; I'm guessing this is a local sensitive thing (i.e. with such hot and humid weather outside, who really wants to wipe themselves over with a hot towel?)
Wet towel.
I ordered a champagne, which was a Duval-Leroy, delivered promptly in a rather oversized flute (well, it wasn't really a flute, but whatever). A new label for me, and not a great drop but not complete rubbish.
Glass of champagne to start the meal.
After some deliberation between trying to split between two main plates, I decided just to go all out and order both, especially after an assurance that neither serving was large (yeah, right
). The meal started first with a soup, and in typical Asian style I selected the clear stock soup with winter melon. It was alright, but I would've liked the soup to taste a bit richer or sweeter (depending on what they decided to use as the stock / main flavour).
Winter Melon Soup.
Next course could be an appetiser or a main - the Singaporean / Malay speciality, satay with accompaniments - peanut sauce, fresh cut onion, cucumber and ketupat (pressed rice cubes).
Satay with accompaniments.
Following the satay was some glorified comfort food: an open beef burger served with quail egg, foie gras and rocket leaves. Personally I just ordered it for the foie gras, which I'd never had before. If you've never had it before - you're not missing out on a huge deal, very much especially if you have a heart condition.
The fancied-up beef burger.
The a la carte dessert selection is not great, simply Ben and Jerry's ice creams (not to be sneezed at!) and various sorbets. The buffet offers some sweets, including chocolates. However, I decided to hold off sweets and do a bit of walking around. After all, I was not going to be back in this lounge any time soon, let alone the other two... "lesser"... lounges attached to this one. So I might as well soak it in, right?