Singapore? I choose you!

The world’s only Pokémon Centre outside of Japan is set to open in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport next year. As with every Pokémon Centre, you can expect to find seasonal and regional exclusive toys, stationery, trading cards, jewellery and even chopsticks!

This follows a positive response from a Pokémon event held at Changi Airport in 2016. It’s safe to say considering how we absolutely love Pikachu mascot appearances from events like Natsu Matsuri, Pokémon pop-up cafes, Pokémon Run and the surprising enthusiasm of those who still play Pokémon Go!, that we would absolutely love having a Pokémon Centre here in Singapore too.

Longtime connoisseurs and fans would be elated to know they no longer have to travel out of the country—whether to Japan for their Pokémon Centres or even Hong Kong for their Pokémon Hub—just to get their favourite Pokémons now!

Photo Credit: TODAYonline

Apart from the Pokémon Centre, you can also expect many more shops and brands to open alongside them when Jewel Changi Airport opens its doors next years. Other popular names include Shake Shack, A&W, Pink Fish, Nike, Naiise and more. Jewel Changi Airport will also feature Singapore’s largest indoor garden; known as “Forest Valley”, as well as a 40-metre tall indoor waterfall.

Excited? So are we! While we still await more news regarding the Pokémon Centre’s eventual opening date, we know for sure we definitely won’t be disappointed.

Slated to open officially in the public departure gallery of Changi Airport Terminal 3 on 22 September 2017, Premium Japan Farmers Market is a destination for top quality vegetables, fruits, meat products, processed food products, and sake exclusively imported from Japan! 

You will also get to experience an unparalleled bento experience presented by Japanese chefs of GOZEN, where you can look forward to creating your very own ready-to-eat bento box from a mouthwatering array of premium options, flown directly from Japan to ensure freshness and quality.

Photo Credit: Pjfm.com.sg/

Some notable products you can look forward to is the plump and irresistibly sweet Kyoho grapes and Shine Muscat grapes; as well as top-notch Wagyu beef cuts such as Zennoh Wagyu, Hokkaido Snow Beef, Saga Gyu and Tochigi Wagyu.

Photo Credit: Pjfm.com.sg/

Also tucked within the store is a brilliant bento box counter by GOZEN, where you will get to enjoy customisable and ready-to-eat bento boxes from a vast selection of fresh ingredients. Choices range from Wagyu and Kurobuta for the meat lovers to seafood offerings such as scallops and snow crab.

We are just puzzled by why Premium Japan Farmers Market chose to open at Changi Airport. After all, not everyone goes to the extreme East “for fun” and will casually step into the supermarket for some groceries shopping. Would you, though?

Premium Japan Farmers Market
Changi Airport Terminal 3, public departure gallery
65 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819663
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

For frequent travellers like us, Singapore Changi Airport feels like our second home. But even though we head there on a monthly basis, we were somewhat astonished by how little we knew about our beloved airport – until a recent life-changing tour that had us falling in love with our world class airport on a whole new level.

From catching a free movie at the airport’s theatre, to taking a stroll at the Sunflower Garden and the Butterfly Garden – there are so many things to do, see and eat at Changi Airport before catching your flight. The next time you go on a holiday, be sure to arrive early at the airport because your holiday truly begins at Singapore Changi Airport.

Here are 12 things you never knew about Changi Airport.

#1 Make friends with butterflies at the Butterfly Garden

Spend some time at the butterfly garden – the first of its kind to be featured in an airport – with 47 species, and more than 1000 butterflies roaming around the garden. Yes, you read that right. A butterfly garden within our very own airport.

Unlike wild butterflies which are very cautious towards humans, the butterflies here are very accustomed to visitors, and they won’t fly away in fright even if you are close enough to count the spots on their wings. It is quite an amazement to be so “up close and personal” with the butterflies. There are also educational corners and individual enclosures which will give you more insights into the life cycle of a butterfly. And if you are lucky, you will be able to catch the birth of a butterfly as it emerges from the pupa.

#2 Take a stroll at the Sunflower Garden

A Sunflower Garden in the airport? This is surely one thing in Changi Airport that most people never knew about. No flower quite like the sunflower to brightens up our days. The next time you are in Changi Airport, remember to drop by the rooftop sunflower garden at level three of departure transit lounge at Terminal 2.

#3 Catch a free movie at the theatre

If you have some time to spare before your flight, why not catch a show at the movie theatre? Movie buffs will be delighted to know that the movie theatres are open 24 hours daily, and the screenings are free!

The movie theatres can be found at Terminal 2′s departure transit lounge south on level three, and at Terminal 3′s department transit lounge north on level three. The films are all up to date and we swear by the comfort level of the seats, too! The movies at terminal 2′s theatre are from FOX movies, while the ones from Terminal 3′s theatre are recently released movies specially curated by the team at Changi Airport.

#4 Play games at the Entertainment Deck

The Entertainment Deck at the departure transit lounge at level 3 of Terminal 2 has an array of entertainment facilities such as Xbox Kinect Room, MTV booth, XBOX360 and Playstation 3 consoles, music area and the aforementioned movie theatre.

#5 Watch the latest sports events at the Xperience Zone

Sports lovers can head to the Xperience Zone to watch the latest sports events on large screen in the comfort of plush, cushioned seats which come with its own set of speakers for a surround sound experience.

#6 Kids’ Friendly Playgrounds

For families with kids in tow, Changi Airport has several children’s playgrounds at the three terminals. Your kids can not only make new friends with the other kiddos, but also run around in comfort – a great way for them to work off their excess energy so that you can enjoy a peaceful flight later.

#7 Go for a slide

Singapore’s tallest slide, The Slide @ T3 is a four-storey tall slide, and is every kid’s favourite playground. The best part is that the slide is located in the public area of Terminal 3′s arrival hall – all you have to do is to spend S$10 at Changi Airport in a single receipt to redeem a free ride.

Watch this cool video to see the making of the slide.

#8 Go for a Fish Spa or a massage

After shopping, head to Fish Spa & Reflexology at Terminal 1 for a pampering quick treat. For those who prefer something more traditional, they also provide a range of massages like foot reflexology, neck & shoulder massage, TCM Tui-Na, Thai yoga massage, and hot stone massage.

#9 Free massage

If not, there are plenty of massage chairs – scattered all over the airport – to provide relief for your tired feet.

#10 Take a nap at the Snooze Lounge

If you are feeling tired before the flight, go straight to the Snooze Lounge at Terminal 3 – with comfy leather chairs and a relaxing environment. Quite the perfect place to catch forty winks. Just don’t oversleep and miss your flight!

#11 Capture memories at the Social Tree

The Social Tree is one of the newest additions to Terminal 1. Changi Airport’s memory capsule is like no other – there are eight photo booths where you can capture memories via photos and videos and have them archived permanently, and retrieve them on subsequent visits to the airport. Just imagine: you can take a photo with your loved ones during this trip. One year, two years, ten years down the road, you will be able to rekindle the good times every time you are back at Changi Airport.

This is after all what our beloved airport is about. From sending off your friends for their overseas studies, to going on a holiday with your family, and receiving friends who are visiting Singapore, every memory at Changi Airport is priceless. The bonus is that you are also able to upload the photos and videos on your own social networking profiles.

#12 iShopChangi – Duty Free Shopping Online

Before you go to the airport to explore all the facilities, there is actually a chance to do some duty free shopping before flying. Everyone knows about the awesome duty free shopping at Changi Airport, but not many people have heard of iShopChangi, which allows you to enjoy tax and duty-free shopping at the comfort of your home. It is essentially an e-commerce platform which curates the most popular duty-free products from Changi Airport’s retail shops – including beauty, wine & spirits, chocolates & delicatessen, IT & Electronics, as well as timepieces.

All you have to do is to click to purchase via the website, and pick them up when you are at the departure terminal before going to the flight gate. It is that easy! What’s more, there is a 30-day Money Back Guarantee. For those who are not satisfied with their purchases, they can return the product within 30 days for a full refund or exchange.

You can make your online purchases on iShopChangi from as early as two weeks to 24 hours before your flight. Shop away at www.ishopchangi.com

There are too many facilities at Changi Airport that it is impossible for us to highlight all of them in this feature. Other noteworthy mentions are Kinetic Rain, Enchanted Garden, Koi Pond and an open-air rooftop Cactus garden.

We have previously shared a guide to Changi Airport - featuring some of our favourite dining options, places to go, and things to see at the World’s best airport – and next month, we will be bringing to you our guide on where to eat at Changi Airport.

For more information, go to www.changiairport.com. Follow Fans of Changi on Twitter, Facebook, andInstagram for the latest updates.

This post is brought to you by Singapore Changi Airport.

Most of the time, people get bored at the mention of airport hotels. But not if it is Singapore’s airport hotel, or better known as Crowne Plaza Hotel. Located at Terminal 3 of the Changi International Airport, Crowne Plaza Hotel is anything but boring-looking.

Think a business hotel but with touches of a holiday resort; plush sofas in candy pop colours juxtaposing clean white work desks with reading lamps, pots of orchids and other greens in a predominantly wine and berry-hued space. The facade alone welcomes the world to Singapore with the subtle reflections of how our Garden City is like.

An afternoon walk around the hotel led us to several quiet gardens and courtyards, each with a view to boast of, and some even over-looking the majestic airport runway.

The pool is also one of the nicest in Singapore. Nestled in the quiet outdoors on the third level, the sheer landscaping blew us away. The tall palm trees brought a sort of calmness, and the elusive little “boxes” (or relaxing corners) within the pool itself made us feel like we were on a total hideout at a private beach where there was nobody else but us.

We checked in to a pool-access room, also located on the third level. Clean and spacious, the modern-looking room is furnished with wooden touches and felt very much like a holiday resort. The rooms are also fully soundproofed and complete with an oh-so-comfy bed and huge bathtubs.

And if you are looking to indulge in some weekend brunch, head to Azur – the hotel’s all day dining and buffet restaurant – which offers a selection of local dishes and international fare.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel
75 Airport Boulevard
Tel: +65 6823 5300
Nearest Station: Changi Airport
Note: This was an invited media stay.

Chasing planes is always a thrill that adds on to the entire travel experience, and this was what we used to enjoy, until we got spoilt by Changi Airport and decided we all need a travel ritual to kickstart a true blue holiday.

No two airports are identical, and for that, Changi Airport is outstanding and amongst the best in the world. A holiday actually begins at Changi Airport, because our award-winning international airport has an enthralling list of offerings that makes it all worthwhile to check-in early so as to enjoy the facilities and amenities to its best.

Need to fill your tummy? The F&B options cater to different taste buds and time allowances. Whether you are rushing for a flight and need a quick take-out, or looking for a cosy diner to enjoy a meal with family and friends who are sending you off, there are plenty of options in both the public and transit areas.

And if you need to pick up duty-free items, the shopping is so irresistible that we strongly advise putting aside more time for some retail therapy. From perfumes and cosmetics, to books and electronics, you can find everything you need at Changi Airport.

Here is a guide to Changi Airport, featuring some of our favourite dining options, places to go, and things to see at the World’s best airport.

For a start, checking-in is a breeze because there are ample rows and counters that clearly segregate the airlines and flights, and there will always be staff patrolling and doing crowd control. We have been to many airports – both domestic and international – and we say it with utmost certainty that Changi Airport has the most seamless experience in this aspect.

Photo credit: Changi Airport

Things to see and do at Changi Airport

Catch a free show at the movie theatre, or watch the latest soccer match on large screen at the Xperience Zone. For the kids, there are several playgrounds located at all three terminals.

Or how does a spa indulgence sound? Head to Wellness Spa for some self-pampering! For the brave-hearted, try the fish spa where you have your feet submerged in a pool of tiny fishes, and they will rid the dead skin off your feet.

To relax your mind, take a stroll at one of the five gardens – Butterfly Garden (T3), Enchanted Garden (T2), Cactus Garden (T1), Orchid Garden (T2), and Sunflower Garden (T2) – in Changi Airport.

There are so many things to see and do at Changi Airport that it is impossible to share everything in this post. Next month, we have lined up a special guide on the 12 Things to do at Changi Airport, where we will share some of the things that you never knew about our beautiful airport.

Shopping at Changi Airport

Changi Airport is truly a shopping heaven. Melody always goes crazy at the perfume and cosmetic shops because there are so many brands to choose from, and enticing promotions that no one can resist. The guys have it good too. The latest gadgets can be found at the electronic stores. If not, head to the bookstore and pick up a good read for your flight.

When you shop at Changi Airport, you will get to enjoy 7% GST savings, which can be a substantial saving especially for big-ticket items. The 7% GST savings also applies to all shops in the public area. And the best part is there is a 30-day Money Back Guarantee. For those who are not satisfied with their purchases, they can return the product within 30 days for a full refund or exchange.

Dining at Changi Airport

Melody and I go to Changi Airport so often that it feels like our second home. When our family is sending or picking us, some of the places we dine at include O’Coffee Club, Swensen’s, Itacho Sushi, Saboten, and Ramen Champion.

Swensen’s and O’Coffee Club at Changi Airport open for 24 hours daily, making them the ideal spots to grab a bite when we touch down in Singapore late at night. Both of us are big fan of Japanese food, so it is no surprise that Itacho Sushi is our favourite haunt as it serves good quality sushi at reasonable prices.

Another Japanese diner that we really like is Saboten, which has consistently good tonkatsu and is great for a quick meal before boarding the plane. For ramen lovers, a stop to Ramen Champion will have you spoilt with different renditions from 4 carefully selected chefs from Japan, who each dishes up their specialties in the individual booths.

The transit area has even more options. Peach Garden Noodle House, Cedele, Bakerzin, Killiney Kopitiam, Tai Hing Roast Restaurant, The Green Market, just to name a few.

In March, we will be sharing a more comprehensive guide on where to eat in Changi Airport.

The World Airport Survey is conducting polls for the World’s Best Airport Award. You can vote for your favourite airport via this link – let’s do our part for our beloved airport!

Changi Airport is often the talk of the town (or the world), and it is with great pride that as a Singaporean and as the first social media ambassador of Changi Airport, I share with you the best of our award-winning international airport. With infinite possibilities, a myriad of shopping and dining options and endless entertainment, your holiday starts at Changi Airport.

For more information, go to www.changiairport.com. Follow Fans of Changi on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates.

This post is brought to you by Singapore Changi Airport.