It's been named the world's best airport hotel for a decade. Is it worth the hype?

As I board the first plane for a Dusseldorf - Helsinki - Singapore - Sydney marathon just knowing I have a Singapore stopover soothes my soul. The fact that it's in the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport - which won the world's best airport hotel for the 10^th year in a row at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards - is the icing on my stopover cake. A favourite for frequent flyers, in 2024 the hotel completed a $26 million refresh that included new guest rooms, dining spaces and Club Lounge.

Thanks to its position in Terminal 3 of Changi, aka the world's best airport, there's no need for shuttles or taxis. While the hotel used to have more business travellers, now it's transitioned into a mix of business and leisure, including some Singapore families who come to stay for airport holidays with no flights involved.

The tropical Asian holiday vibes begin with the huge floral cage that offers a shaded separation from the outside world while setting the tone for what's inside. Indonesian Batik, Chinese metal mesh, glazed Thai tiles and tropical vegetation in public spaces and outdoor gardens and pool make it easy to forget you're in an airport until you spot a plane out of the corner of your eye. Service is friendly and attentive. My Club Lounge upgrade includes the chance to check in at the lounge where I sip prosecco and snack on spicy tuna as my bags are whisked to my room. Guests not staying in Club Lounge rooms can pay $S80 ($94, plus fees and taxes) for one or $S120 for two for access to breakfast, evening cocktails and perks including two pieces of laundry per day.

There are 575 rooms with 332 in the original building and 243 in the Jewel Wing, which was added in 2016. Room categories include runway view, pool access rooms and suites, including the cute new Aviation Family Suites filled with Kiztopia characters in airport scenes.

My Runway View Room in the original building hasn't changed since I last stayed in 2017 and I'm happy to be reunited with the bathtub that's separated by a frangipani mural from the bedroom, the comfy king-sized bed and excellent plane spotter views. The room could do with power options on both rather than one side of the bed and a master switch to kill all lights. Apart from that it's held up very well.

In the morning Allora Ristorante and Bar is a breakfast buffet packed with tasty local and international options. For lunch and dinner it transforms into an Italian restaurant where chef Stefano Sanna creates authentic Italian dishes to enjoy in the dining room, lobby lounge or alfresco area.

My crab ravioli packs a delicious seafood punch, the beef brisket pizza with fresh mozzarella and mashed potatoes is a hearty indulgence and the pistachio creme brulee is the perfect end to the meal. For aperitivo hour the Italian inspired cocktails include the refreshingly delicious Smile, Lo Sgroppino with pear-infused gin, lemon sorbet and prosecco.

Lounge by the pool or stroll across to Jewel for shopping, dining, entertainment and Rain Vortex waterfall happy snaps, all without leaving the airport.

Floating in the pool looking up at blue skies, palm trees and that famous Changi Control Tower as planes fly by.

The writer was a guest of the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport