COVID-19:
A hotel targeted at international business travelers has opened at Changi Airport. This Singapore hotel offers safe environment to conduct business meetings in a contained space. While guests can stay at the hotel for up to 14 days, they cannot leave the “bubble”.
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Hotel News
Connect@Changi is a newly opened business hotel that allows international travelers to conduct business in Singapore in a contained and safe environment.
And that includes locally based business partners and business partners based in other countries.
Because of the “contained” environment, local business partners are hopefully kept at a safe distance from their overseas guests.
To clarify, the hotel offers an integrated “test-stay-work-meet” experience. Tariffs include airport transfers, COVID-19 diagnostic tests, and three meals a day.
Most importantly, there are meeting rooms that were designed to allow visiting business travelers to meet with their local business partners while maintaining social distancing.
To clarify, the rooms are equipped with air-tight glass panels. Also, they have flat-screen television monitors.
While local business people can attend business meetings at the hotel, they are not allowed to spend the night.
In fact, the hotel does not accept …
- Returning Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.
- Singapore Long Term Pass Holders.
- Family Members of Singapore Citizens and/or Permanent Residents.
Furthermore, travelers staying at the hotel are not allowed to leave the property. To clarify, they must take a designated shuttle to and from the airport at the beginning and end of their stay.
In other words, visits to Singapore are strictly forbidden.
“Connect@Singapore is part of Singapore’s efforts to re-open our borders in a controlled and safe manner,” Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry says in a press release.
“This will facilitate essential global business exchanges and support the revival of Singapore’s air hub status and hospitality sector.”
Accommodation
The hotel currently has 150 guest rooms. By May, the number will increase to 660.
All of the rooms measure 19 square meters. And they all have 43-inch flat screen televisions with selected cable channels.
In addition, all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with standing showers.
Finally, there are three room categories. While Executive King rooms have one king size bed, Executive Twin rooms have two single beds.
And Premier King rooms not only have one king size bed. In addition, they have floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the courtyard.
Food and Beverage
Unfortunately, the hotel does not have conventional food and beverage outlets.
However, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the hotel room tariff. And meals are delivered to the rooms of hotel guests.
In addition, the hotel has self-serve Starbucks kiosks in the courtyard. And hotel guests can pay using their credit card. In fact, payment is fully contactless.
If hotel guests get the nimblies, there are vending machines in the courtyard. And they sell ready-to-eat snacks, beverages, and a few necessities.
Finally, hotel guests can access more than 80 dining options by way of Changi Eats.
Hotel Facilities
Hotel guests have access to indoor courtyards. If they wish to work out, they have two options.
First, they can pump iron in one of The Gym Pods. Secondly, they take part in a virtual spinning class at one of The Spin Pods.
In fact, hotel guests have access to the faculties 24/7. However, they must book their sessions in advance via the mobile app.
Most importantly for business travelers, this Singapore hotel offers safe environment for business travelers with 40 meeting rooms that can accommodate between four and 22 people.
By may, the number of meeting rooms will increase to 170!
First, there is a board room, which measures 110 square meters. And it can accommodate up to 22 persons.
Secondly, there is a 42-square-meter meeting room seating up to 16 persons.
Thirdly, there is a 26-square-meter meeting room that can hold up to 10 people.
Finally, there are smaller rooms that can handle up to four or eight persons. And they measure 11 or 21 square meters, respectively.
VIP Sound Bites …
The project is developed by a Singapore consortium, led by Temasek and includes The Ascott Limited, Changi Airport Group, Sheares Healthcare Group, SingEx-Sphere Holding, and Surbana Jurong.
Check out what a key executive has to say!
Robin Hu, Head of International Policy & Governance, Temasek and Chairman, SingEx-Sphere Holdings
“Without such a facility, travel options are essentially binary – either stay at home due to travel restrictions or fly overseas and endure long periods in quarantine,” Robin says.
“After close to four months of intense, round-the-clock construction and collaboration with our partners, various government agencies, vendors, and subcontractors, we are now ready to offer business travelers the option of resuming in-person meetings in a safe and contained manner, and do our part to catalyze economic recovery for Singapore and across the region.”
Hotel Location
Connect@Changi – 9 Somapah Road, Singapore.
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