Singapore Airport Plane Spotting

The Crowne Plaza Is probably one of the best all round hotels in the world for aircraft viewing and photography. As an added bonus, from the rooms below the occasional movement from Paya Lebar can seen in the distance.

Location *** Excellent location, connected to terminal 3 at Singapore airport. The hotel is a short walk from the terminal 3 viewing area. The viewing areas on terminal 1 and 2 are a short 5 minute ride on the airport monorail, the station of which is a 2 minute walk from the hotel. The airport restaurants are expensive, however a wide range of food courts, as well as a supermarket can be found in the terminals. If you decide to order room service to allow you to eat and spot a typical American Style breakfast of ham, eggs and hash browns is around £8, a pizza for dinner is around £11.

Spotting *** Excellent. For the ideal views you require a room on the 7th,8th or 9th floor ending in *02,*04,*06,*08,*09,*10,*11,*12. These rooms give a fantastic view over the right hand runway in front of terminal 3. The hotel corridor is open plan allowing you to walk out of the room into the corridor to see movements on the busy central runway (SBS and a scanner is helpful for you to monitor movements on the central runway as you do need to leave your room to see this runway). At busy times the right hand runway is used for arrivals only, however in moderate to quiet times a mixed mode operation is in force therefore you do require a means of monitoring the central runway to ensure that you do not miss the movements. Be warned, the above rooms all are reported to have the one large queen size bed therefore if there are 2 of you be prepared to get cosy (or a roll away bed is available for a costly £30 a night)

Photos *** Excellent. Photos can be taken from the room although the windows are tinted. A 10 second walk from the room will take you to an opening on the outside corridor where superb outdoor shots can be taken ( 80-200 for aircraft on the taxiway, 200-400 for runway shots). Morning to early afternoons are best with the sun behind you.

Value * Expensive but well worth the money as you have your own private spectators terrace at your disposal!

Prices can be found through the following websites

Crowne Plaza Hotels - Click here

AGODA

Hotels.com

Above, general view from room 908 with the runway in the background

Above, typical taxiway shot taken from the corridor balcony which is literally a 10 second walk from the room.

The Changi Village Hotel Is situated in the Changi area to the north of the airport on the coast.

Location ** Located around 0.5 mile north of the runway 20R threshold. This hotel is not under the approach but is offset by around 0.5 mile to the north of the airport

Spotting ** Ask for a room facing north east looking out to the sea. Room 325 has been reported as having a great view. When landing on the 20's you should be able to read arrivals off on 20R, SBS will tie up arrivals for you once dark. If departing the 02's traffic will be much higher and SBS would be required to tie movements up on a lot of occasions.

Photos ** Not reported from the hotel, however Changi Beach Park is only a 10-15 walk away. This location is where the locals hang out to take landing shots when aircraft arrive on the 20's.

Value * Expensive

This hotel can be booked on the AGODA or Hotels.com website

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Is situated in the centre of Singapore City and is more of use to those who need to stay in the city on vacation or on business.

Location * Situated in the centre of Singapore around 5 miles from the airport. Ask for a high level room facing the bay.

Spotting ** The hotel is overlooking the bay and traffic on a 4-5 mile final can be seen approaching the airport when landing on 02L or 02C subject to cloud base. If the airport are on the opposite runway traffic can be seen climbing out over the bay, again subject to cloud base. The aircraft are too distant to read off but close enough to identify the aircraft type and operator, SBS would be required to tie them up.

Photos * Not possible as the traffic is too distant

Value * Expensive

This hotel can be booked on the Hotels.com website or The Opodo website (Click Here)

For a comprehensive list of Singapore Airport Hotels please click here