First time in Suites - advice wanted

[Stone]

Hi everyone,

Later in the month I have the privilege of flying in Suites from Singapore to Sydney (SQ221, 20:40 departure). As this is my first time (and it is potentially a while before I will get another chance) what advice can the brains trust offer for me to maximise the experience. I have a 5 hour layover in Singapore prior to the flight so I'm also keen for advice on "The Private Room" as well.

Thank you all in advance

 

[Fatcat]

Hi everyone,

Later in the month I have the privilege of flying in Suites from Singapore to Sydney (SQ221, 20:40 departure). As this is my first time (and it is potentially a while before I will get another chance) what advice can the brains trust offer for me to maximise the experience. I have a 5 hour layover in Singapore prior to the flight so I'm also keen for advice on "The Private Room" as well.

Thank you all in advance

There's a first class drop off area at Changi, its to the far left of terminal 3, you can tell your cabbie to drop you off there. After check in, which is done in a lounge kind of area, there's also a separate p/port control lane, where you will find the most polite customs/immigration folks ever, even the cop on station smiles and says thank you sir/madam after checking your documents.

There's a fair bit of info on this site about the private room etc (its just a dining room and a quite lounge, nothing more really) and everybody says order the lobster thermidor using the book the cook option and drown yourself in Dom and Krug onboard. If you're a little more adventurous and its available, I would recommend the curry patta lobster instead.

 

[cove]

Go the Krug, the Dom and the French red and you will get to sleep on the long haul. I tend to sleep in 3A and if it is not heavily booked I ask nicely for a second suite for dining and movies. TPR is nice as the prelude.

 

[anat0l]

Gotta love these "maximise my experience" threads...

1. Go SQ online website and use the Book the Cook service to pre-select meals. Lobster is a very popular choice. If you want to be surprised, you can leave this step out and gamble whatever you have on board. I think you can also pre-select breakfast in some cases.
   
   
2. If you are travelling as a duo, try to select a set of the two middle suites in the cabin. The dividing wall in the middle suites can be lowered and the two suite seats turned into a double bed.
3. Use the first class check-in at Changi Terminal 3.
   If you are in transit (i.e. arrived in SIN via plane) and don't need to reclaim bags, you can still leave the secure area, go to T3 and walk to the first class check-in. It is on the far end of the terminal before check-in row 1 / terminal entrance 1.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once inside the first class check-in, you can let them do the rest. If you've come there after a transit just to experience it, you can make up something like you need your boarding pass reprinted. Don't hesitate to tell them this is your first time in Suites - don't be boastful about it, be humble.
5. Proceed through private immigration and beeline it to the SilverKris lounge (not far across the carpet after you exit immigration).
6. Once at the lounge entrance, the staff will guide you to The Private Room. They'll also take your gold invitation, but if you want to keep it for a souvenir, you can try asking nicely. For your boarding pass, if it is printed on special stock card, you'll probably want to take a photo of it.
7. Enjoy The Private Room dining area, particularly when it isn't so busy. You might want to take this step early / plan out, so you don't get too full before you board. Meals are a la carte with a smaller selection of items available on the self-serve buffet. Ice cream is by Ben and Jerry's.
8. There's no spa or what not in The Private Room. If you have 5 hours to fill, plan out whether you need to shop, buy local specialties, claim taxes back or want to use the recreation facilities in the terminal, because you can't do any of those in The Private Room. On the other hand, if you have work, a good book to read, or just want to while away time whilst sipping on a glass of Champagne or a cup of tea, then you can't go wrong in The Private Room. The Private Room also has its own bathroom including showers if you need to freshen up.
9. Once on board, enjoy the service and the Champagne. They usually stock two Champagnes - usually Krug and Dom (although Taittinger is apparently featuring soon) - feel free to kindly ask the crew to try both first. If you like sweet coughtails, even though it's a big gimmick, having a Singapore Sling is also a try.
10. Enjoy your sleeping outfit by Givenchy and amenity kit. You can change into your sleeping outfit before take off, after the seat belt sign is off or after dinner - up to you.
11. Don't forget - you can close your door!
12. Have dinner, enjoy caviar service (if offered), have some wine/bubbles, dessert/sweet wine/digestif. Freshen up whilst asking crew to make bed. Return to bed made for you. Try to get some good rest. Wake up/be awoken, have breakfast (if you are able to), remember to change back to civilian clothes before the seat belt sign goes on again.

I think that about covers it. Just take it slowly enough, don't expect everything (i.e. it's a bit better going in on a "blank canvas" than a full picture).