Airside Hotel Rooms Offer Break Between Flights
<I>Singapore</I> - For many business travelers flying across the Pacific, arriving in Asia is not the last stop, and regional connections are more than just short hops.
To help ease the transition between planes and continents, Singapore's Changi Airport features the Transit Hotel, a short-term resting facility operated by Oberoi Group, a hotel company based in India.
The Transit Hotel, located in the airport's Terminal 1, "is specifically designed for business travelers in transit," said Caroline Wilson-Kent, director of sales and marketing, North America, for Oberoi Resorts.
Located on the air side of the terminal, the Transit Hotel offers guest rooms, a swimming pool, fully equipped business center and secretarial services, health club, nursery and cafe.
Private rooms, located in restricted areas in Terminal 1 so that passengers don't have to pass through Singapore customs and immigration, include beds, furnishings, televisions, bathrooms and international calling service. Public space includes a reception area, nursery, cafe, fitness center, business center and passenger meeting services.
Although the hotel has been operating for several years, it was recently expanded to provide 120 guest rooms between Changi's two terminals because of increased demand, said Eddie Perera, director of sales and marketing for Singapore Airlines.
"Many of our passengers who have used it find it convenient and reasonably priced," Perera said. Depending on the exchange rate, the cost of six-hour guest room rentals ranges between $35 and $40. "You don't have to leave the airport or even go outside; you simply go from the gate to the hotel," Perera noted. "It's cheaper than taking a taxi downtown," added Wilson-Kent.
According to Perera, the business-leisure proportion averages around 50-50, but during certain seasons corporate mix jumps up to 60 or 70 percent. While hub carrier Singapore Airlines delivers most of the air traffic through the terminal, the Transit Hotel is open to all airlines. However, rooms are usually full, so bookings must be made in advance.
Reservations can be either called in at 011-65-543-0911, or preferably faxed at 011-654-545-8365. For travelers flying Singapore Airlines, space can be reserved directly through the CRS when booking a flight.