There is a new travel-lifestyle concept cafe in Singapore and it is none other than HyfeCafe—which just opened its doors in Tampines 1 this March 2018.

Ever wanted a conducive place to plan your trips with your friends? HyfeCafe it shall be. This cafe by Changi Recommends is a one-stop place for you and your travel buddies to plan your travels, book your attraction tickets and passes, purchase travel insurance and more—all while enjoying casual Asian-fusion fare!

HyfeCafe is Singapore’s first ever travel-lifestyle concept cafe where all your unanswered questions and/or planning woes will be solved. Cafe-hoppers and travel-lovers, this cafe has to be on your list.

TRAVEL CONCIERGE COUNTER

There is a travel concierge to make your trip-planning experience truly hassle-free. The staff will be glad to answer all your enquiries and guide you through your travel plans and provide you with more information!

Solve all your pre-travel needs at one go! On top of planning your trip, HyfeCafe also allows you to make bookings for products and services—including overseas attraction tickets, day tour packages, transport passes such as the Japan Rail Pass, and of course, their ChangiWiFi router.

But that’s not all. Besides the information counters and flyer wall, trip-planning just got a whole lot easier as HyfeCafe provides free tablet usage embedded with their booking system and it is free for all diners to use.

Be it a solo backpack trip, family holiday or a short getaway with your other half, all you have to do is to pick your favourite itinerary, key the code into the system, and you are halfway through planning!

Also, fret not if their curated itineraries are not to your liking. Select your preferred destination and customise your itinerary by replacing existing activities with those you are interested in and voilà, your dream-trip just came true.

TRAVEL PLANNING FLYER WALL

In addition to their incredibly easy-to-use TripPlanner device, diners can also feel free to refer to the cafe’s travel planning flyer wall that is filled with several travel brochures of which diners are free to grab and even take home.

Who knows? With such comprehensive tools to further aid you in your itinerary planning, planning your next trip will be a breeze!

PLAN YOUR TRIPS WHILE EATING

And you think you are going to sit down for hours to plan your trips without some perk-me-ups? That is not going to happen at HyfeCafe.

The travel cafe gives off the same cosy vibe you would typically derive from a cafe but make no mistake that their food speaks of a quality that goes far beyond your usual cafe fare. There is a menu with affordable restaurant fare from a fusion-focused array of offerings from hearty sides, mains, and decadent desserts worthy of the ‘gram’.

On the drinks menu, there is wide range of coffees, juices and tea by the pot at affordable prices. And we must say that coffee is pretty decent here! Pair your drinks with their wide range of Asian-fusion dishes. Cafe-hoppers will be glad to know that their menu is pretty reasonably priced.

TROPICAL FROGURT

You definitely have to try this house special. HyfeCafe created this concoction using their housemade yogurt. Flavoured with mango and passionfruit, this pretty much tastes like a Korean-style Calpis and it is the perfect summer drink!

WINGS OF THE EAST

These chicken wings—Wings Of The East (S$6.90)—absolutely stole our hearts. They were so flavourful that we just couldn’t stop at one! Choose from 3 different Asian-inspired sauces and spice—such as teriyaki soy, salted egg yolk sauce and curry honey.

SHARING PLATTERS

Can’t decide what appetisers to start with? The Sharing Platter (S$13.50 for 2, S$21.50 for 4) has a little of everything—from deep-fried calamari and popcorn chicken to tomato bruschetta and chicken sausages.

TERIYAKI SALMON UDON

Their Teriyaki Salmon Udon (S$14.90) is a crowd favourite. Accompanying the slightly sweet and chewy stir-fried udon is a huge slab of salmon that is cooked to perfection and generously doused in teriyaki sauce.

SALTED EGG FISH & CHIPS

Complementing the classic Fish & Chips is Singapore’s favourite golden salted egg yolk sauce. Nobody says no to this Salted Egg Fish & Chips (S$13.90) which goes well with their flavoursome salted egg yolk sauce and tangy mayonnaise served at the side.

SEAFOOD SQUID INK BAKED RICE

This is not your typical baked rice. The Seafood Squid Ink Baked Rice (S$10.90) sees a bed of fresh prawns, squid and mussels sitting atop squid ink rice. Baked with mozzarella, this value-for-money dish is a flavourful one that you must try.

GOLDEN WAFFLES 

And of course, no trip to a cafe is ever completed without desserts! HyfeCafe pairs their Golden Waffles (S$8.90) with a scoop of ice cream and we absolutely loved it.

Their waffles are super crispy on the outside which complements the fluffy interior, and together with their rich ice cream and fresh berries, this dessert will leave you satisfied and wanting to come back for more.

With HyfeCafe, both your trip planning and your travel journey will be an unforgettable experience. We all know that it takes a while to plan your dream trip, so do not worry if you can’t finish it all up in one sitting! There is an option for you save your itinerary, and send a PDF of it to your email. 

For those who are unable to find their ideal destinations or attraction places, HyfeCafe is constantly updating and adding new countries, cities and attractions to make your itinerary-planning experience better.

We reckon that we aren’t the only ones who find this travel-lifestyle concept cafe alluring, so why not head down to Tampines 1 today?

HyfeCafe
10 Tampines Central 1
#03-25 Tampines 1
Singapore 529536
Tel: +65 6572 5522
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

This post is brought to you by HyfeCafe.

We’ve previously shared about our experience with Changi Recommends, and we cannot reiterate enough how glad we are to discover their overseas Wi-Fi router rental service.

Changi Recommends has just introduced the Asia Pacific Wi-Fi plan – a rent service for travellers to get connected in up to three multiple countries in Asia and Australia. Travellers can rent the Wi-Fi routers from Changi Recommends at a flat rate of S$15 a day (daily basis) when you fly to more than 1 destination in a single trip.

Readers of ladyironchef can enjoy a special rate for overseas Wi-Fi router rental to Japan in the month of June at only S$8/day when you make a reservation at www.changirecommends.com using the promo code: CHEF8.

We always face the problem of getting multiple sim cards in different countries, so this is really a perfect solution for a seamless travel. The destinations covered in the plan are China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

We are certainty hoping that Changi Recommend would launch a similar data plan for Europe next!

Changi Recommends will be running a roadshow at Ang Mo Kio Hub from 25 May to 31 May, 10am to 10pm Asia Pacific WiFi plan, so if you are in the area, drop by and learn more about the promotion.

Also, apart from ordering your wi-fi router online, you will be able to make reservations either by calling the call centre at 6922 9508 or whatsapp to 9427 6977. For more information, go to www.changirecommends.com

This post is brought to you by Changi Recommends.

As with everyone, we were initially clueless about Changi Recommends when we first heard about them. What do they exactly do, and where are they? What sort of travel services can you expect and benefit from?

But we have since learned more about them, and we wished we knew about their travel services earlier! Better late than never though, and now, we are so thankful for their existence at every terminal of Changi International Airport.

From ensuring that you get data connection throughout your time overseas to lessening your chances of having to pay for overweight baggage to assuring yourself a seat on a flight at the eleventh hour, Changi Recommends is a one-stop booth for all your needed travel solutions.

Here are 5 Travel Services Offered by Changi Recommends That You Never Knew About. Now, every trip you take will never be better.

#1 BAGGAGE WRAPPING SERVICE

There is nothing more frustrating than to go on a holiday only to discover that your luggage has been opened and something valuable is missing. For those of you who have walked past Changi Recommends counters at the airport, you would have noticed that it has a baggage wrapping service which will help protect your luggage by wrapping it with tamper-resistant plastic film.

Not only does it help to prevent theft, it can protects your luggage from knocks and damage. You can wrap your luggage at any Changi Recommends counter from S$13 per bag.

#2 OVERSEAS TRAVEL WI-FI ROUTER RENTAL

We’ve previously shared about how Changi Recommends’ overseas travel wi-fi router is a lifesaver. For as low as S$12 nett per day (with no charge for the first day of collection), you enjoy reliable and stable wi-fi connection to many cities which include Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, USA, Japan, Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

With Changi Recommends’ portable Wi-fi router rental services, all you have to do is to go to www.changirecommends.com to order your travel wi-fi 3 working days in advance of your trip, and collect it at any Changi Recommends’ 24/7 booth at one of three Changi Airport terminals.

We cannot reiterate how thankful we are for Changi Recommends’ 24/7 services. No matter what time your flight touches down, you need not worry about having to scramble around at ungodly hours for data cards and wi-fi routers to stay connected, because the connection works immediately.

#3 INTERNATIONAL SIM CARDS FOR HONG KONG, THAILAND, AND SOUTH KOREA

Getting a pre-paid SIM card in a foreign city can be challenging especially if you cannot speak the native language. That’s when we are glad that Changi Recommends offers international SIM cards for cities such as Hong Kong (S$13 for 5-day 1.5GB local mobile data, unlimited local call and 50 minutes IDD talk-time), Thailand (S$13 for 7-day unlimited internet with 1.5GB high speed usage and 60 minutes talk-time) and South Korea (S$35 for 30-day 1GB internet plan and 30 minutes talk-time).

Let’s be honest: sure, you can easily get those SIM cards at Bangkok or Hong Kong’s airport. However, the queue at the booth is usually at least 20-30 minutes long, and the staff are not exactly the friendliest. Sometimes, they won’t even have enough stocks for you!  And if you are in Seoul, the language barrier is the biggest problem because half the time, they do not understand you. Also, the SIM cards provide an alternative to the wi-fi router, especially for those of you who need to make more calls.

As with Changi Recommends‘ overseas wi-fi router service, the international SIM cards are activated once you touch down at your destination. That means you have internet access the moment you have landed; you can use your mobile phones while you are in the snaking queue at the custom clearance, and also while you are waiting to collect your baggage.

Sure, you can always wait till you get to your destination before you get a data or wi-fi router from a local internet service provider. However, there are a few downsides for that. First, as we’ve mentioned, if you are unfamiliar with the city and do not speak the local language, you might not know where to look for data.

Second, the internet service provider might not be reliable. We have encountered problems many times in different cities when the SIM card simply does not connect. In some situations, it takes a few days to register and activate the data services – your holiday might have already ended by then.

#4 EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE POINT

If you have forgotten to check in something to your luggage (such as liquid containers that are more than 150ml), or if you have exceeded your baggage allowance, Changi Recommends has an express courier service that can help you deliver your package to the desired destination safely. This definitely saves you the pain of having to discard items that you wish to keep, and to avoid any overweight baggage charges.

Head to Changi Recommends counter at the public area of Terminal 2 Departure Hall to arrange for the delivery.

#5 LAST MINUTE FLIGHT BOOKINGS

Whether you have just missed your flight, need to travel on a short notice for work, or simply feel like booking a last-minute flight to escape for a short getaway, you can go to Changi Recommends‘ 24/7 booths (at all three terminals at Changi Airport) and check for a suitable flight. They will promise you comfortable options to pick from, and that eliminates the hassle of having to go through all the booking sites just to get a suitable flight.

Changi Recommends
Tel: +65 8383 6216
Email: contactus@changirecommends.com.sg

This post is brought to you by Changi Recommends.

Have you ever felt so lost and disconnected from the world because there is no data connection when you are in a foreign land, and your phone is as good as non-existent? Yes, that feeling of being crippled. Disoriented, to say the least. Complete insecurity.

Everything but enjoying our holiday.

And that is when we realised that no matter how you have to “disconnect to connect”, we still need data connection on the go.

We used to worry about whether we can get wi-fi router/ prepaid data cards when we travel, and that uncertainty killed us several times. But gone are those days because we made a new discovery – Changi Recommends has overseas portable wi-fi router rental services at as low as S$12 nett per day, and there is no charge for the first day of collection! Moreover, Changi Recommends’ has booths located in all three terminals and they are opened 24/7.

Now, we will share with you all about this life-changing discovery, as well as how you can win a holiday to Tokyo. Here are 8 Reasons Why We Cannot Live Without Changi Recommends’ Wi-fi Router:

#1 TO STAY CONNECTED

That sense of security for ourselves and our loved ones when we are reachable is priceless. We need that, always. Our loved ones may need to contact us for emergencies, we may need to make urgent calls back to pass on an important message, or to receive daily updates about our pet dogs/ kids/ parents etc.

Sure, sometimes, holidays are meant to shut ourselves out from the world. But to know that we can still switch on our phones any time we need to make a call or to receive a text is essential, and that is when we need to stay connected.

#2 TO HELP US NAVIGATE AROUND IN A FOREIGN LAND

Google Map is our best friend when we travel. It helps us get around, it keeps us navigated, and it tells us about our surroundings. To say that we are reliant on Google Map is but an understatement; Google Map saves our lives!

We no longer lose our ways thanks to Google Map, and that is precisely why we need data connection when we are overseas. With the handy device, we are well-connected and any time we whip out our phones, we’d get all the directions that we’d need.

Physical maps are so yesteryear, and yes, we don’t need to rely on sign languages to communicate with locals and to ask for directions – whether they are reliable or not, that’s a story for another day.

#3 TO LOCATE ALL THE PLACES THAT WE WANT TO GO TO

So as we were saying, it is such a chore to ask for directions. We dread asking locals for directions, because more than half the time, we get unhelpful responses and/ or inaccurate answers. But if we have our trusty portable wi-fi router with us, we can always turn to the Internet – Google Map will tell us where we are and provide options on how to get to our destinations, the web will tell us more about the operation hours and contact numbers, reviews will help us decide if the place we are heading to will be worth the while (or not)…

And the list goes on. If you are still pondering about the importance of data on-the-go, YES, YOU NEED IT.

#4 TO DO IMPROMPTU RESEARCHES

Say you have an itinerary drawn up prior to your trip. Then for a reason or two, you are done with all your plans, or there are changes you want to make. You want to visit more places, you want to have more dining options, you need more reviews and recommendations.

Then, you’d be thankful for having the wi-fi router because it allows you to do impromptu researches anywhere you are. Look to the web, social media portals, chat with friends who have been to the places you want to go to…

Anything is possible as long as you stay connected. You might just be in for more surprises on top of all that you want to clock on your itinerary!

#5 TO SHARE UPDATES ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are the best way to keep your family and friends updated about your adventures. Photos of what we had for dinner, of what we wear to Avenue Montaigne, of sunsets at Maldives, of our loots from Madison Avenue, of that fleeting moment on the parasail… of all the fun from our escapades.

Updating our social media platforms is like second nature now, and instant updates make it even more meaningful. Thank you, Changi Recommends. Your portable wi-fi router is perfect.

#6 BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)

Because that amount of money spent on wi-fi router will bring you immeasurable convenience and assurance. Need we even tell you more?

#7 AND BECAUSE IT IS SO HANDY AND EASY TO CARRY AROUND

Risking stating the obvious, the portable Wi-fi router is so handy and easy to carry around to ensure that you stay connected anywhere, anytime.

#8 GETTING THE WI-FI ROUTER IS SUCH A EASY AND HASSLE-FREE PROCESS

In the past, we often had to worry about finding data plans when we went overseas. And sometimes, it either took a long time to activate the data plan, or we were simply not able to find a provider that offered reliable and stable connection.

With Changi Recommend’s portable Wi-fi router rental services, all you have to do is to go to www.changirecommends.com to order your travel wi-fi 3 working days in advance of your trip, and collect it at any Changi Recommend’s 24/7 booth at one of three Changi Airport terminals.

Easy peasy and no complications, at all. Activation is automated and immediate upon arrival at your destination!

OVERSEAS WI-FI ROUTER CAN BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES

Changi Recommend’s overseas wi-fi router rental is available for Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, USA, Japan, Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. Prices start from S$12/day. If you are travelling to any of these countries,

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO TOKYO

Rent the overseas wi-fi from Changi Recommends and share your travel experience by tagging @ChangiRecommends in your photo on Facebook. The most beautiful story will get to win a pair of tickets to Tokyo. The contest runs from now till 30 June 2015.

Changi Recommends
Tel: +65 8383 6216
wifi@changirecommends.com.sg

This post is brought to you by Changi Recommends.