SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun

December 2024

Dorsett Changi City Singapore: An East-side Escapade and Local Foodie Staycation to Savour

By June Wan

It starts with a rumble, rises to a soft roar, and before you expect it, a plane has landed and is gliding down the runway — less than 50 metres away from where you are sipping your kopi and licking up the butter that’s oozing from your kaya toast. If breakfast with a side of plane spotting sounds like the perfect Sunday morning activity, here’s a secret we’re ungatekeeping. Stay at Dorsett Changi City Singapore and book the FREE Foodie Tour when you check in. This happens on Sunday mornings and takes hotel guests to Singapore’s largest F&B container park, Cosford Container Park, where they get to enjoy breakfast with a glorious view of the runway.

The menu includes the aforesaid kaya butter toast with eggs and coffee or tea, as well as laksa, prawn noodles, and sambal takoyaki. Word of advice: save room for the sambal takoyaki which Dorsett Changi’s general manager Ken Yong assures us is worth waiting for. He’s right. Who’d have thought that sambal’s sweet sting could pair so well with this ball-shaped Japanese snack?

Two hours fly by and it is time for us to return to Dorsett Changi City Singapore, a 15 to 20 minute ride away. Since Foodie Tour guests enjoy a later check-out at 2pm, we can assuage our food coma in the comfort of the hotel room before leaving. #win

Missed a slot on the Foodie Tour? Don’t worry, there’s lots to keep families entertained at Dorsett Changi City Singapore, as we discover when we are invited for a stay during the holidays.

(See also: NEW ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AT SINGAPORE ZOO – BREAKFAST IN THE WILD & BACKSTAGE WITH ELEPHANTS)

Familiar Place, with a New Name

Dorsett Changi City Singapore seems somewhat familiar, but that’s because it occupies the space that was once Capri by Fraser Changi City. The same apartotel style remains, with in-room kitchenettes and laundry facilities on each floor.

What’s new is the layering on of Dorsett’s five brand pillars — City Convenience, Social Connectivity, Priceless Delights, Active Wellness, and Positive Impact. These, some might say, make all the difference. But first, the room.

(See also: 11 LEARNING HOLIDAYS THAT GO BEYOND WHAT TEXTBOOKS CAN TEACH)

A Space for All at Dorsett Changi City Singapore

At 44 sqm our Dorsett Deluxe Room is a generous size for two, and comfortable even for more. Walking in from the door, you’ll find a compact kitchenette on one side. There’s a microwave, a fridge beneath it, a countertop with an induction cooker top, and a sink. The built in cabinets and drawers hold all everything you’d need to whip up a meal, cutlery and crockery included.

Across from this is a walk-in wardrobe area with an open-concept area to hang clothes on one side and cupboards on the other. There’s an ironing board, a laundry basket, and a safe for valuables here. An integrated living area, the well-equipped kitchenette, and a comfortably sized workstation make this ideal for longer jaunts as well.

For those whose homes are undergoing renovation, or the HDB’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP), Dorsett Changi could be an option to stay in while waiting for completion of the works.

The room has an open structure, with Jack-and-Jill entrances to the bathroom from the bed/living area and the walk-in wardrobe — which has ample room to store luggage and clothing.

Wide doorways and sliding doors make everything easily accessible and within reach for wheelchair users. The bathroom and its oversized shower (book the Splash Room if you prefer a bathtub) are large enough for wheelchairs to turn around in. Needless to say there is lots of space to park a stroller or two too.

Active Wellness at Dorsett Changi City Singapore

Guests have access to all hotel amenities, including an outdoor pool, steam and sauna rooms, and a 24-hour gym. These can be found on level two, which also has a lush alfresco seating area surrounded by lofty frangipani trees in huge white pots.

On the right, past the frangipani, is the pool area. Decently sized for laps, the pool has a small wading area for little ones, as well as a jacuzzi. A well-equipped gym overlooks the pool along its length.

(See also: 8 ISLAND RESORT GETAWAYS NEAR SINGAPORE TO VISIT FOR THE ULTIMATE FUN AND RELAXING FAMILY HOLIDAY)

Not yet Made New

Do note that while the Dorsett name is new in this area, the hotel is not. It looks like everything was inherited lock, stock, and barrel from Capri by Fraser, had a new name slapped onto it and… that’s it. While the property is in good condition, it would certainly benefit from a makeover to stamp the Dorsett character firmly on it — we hear that this is happening in 2025! Right now, the overarching sense here is one of functionality and in this, Dorsett Changi excels.

With a laundry room on every floor, longer-stay visitors never have to go long without clean clothes. What’s really neat is that the one on my level had an Xbox in it so you could play while waiting for your laundry to wash and dry.

In the room I especially appreciated the roller blind that separates living and sleeping areas. Operated via a remote control, this helps block out the light should one person want to sleep while the other prefers to watch TV.

In addition there is a filtered water tap next to the kitchen sink that makes it easy to maintain #HydrationGoals throughout our stay. I love how more hotels now offer this eco-friendly option as part of their sustainability initiatives. While drinking glasses are available, Dorsett does not provide bottles, so remember to bring your own.

(See also: WORLDSCHOOLING: TAKING HOMESCHOOLING TO ANOTHER LEVEL)

Convenience and Connectivity

The weekend that we stayed was also when Filipino rock band Eraserheads performed their Eraserheads Huling El Bimbo World Tour at the Singapore EXPO. So it’s no surprise that overseas fans, like our Foodie Tour companions, had chosen to stay at Dorsett Changi because of its proximity to the concert venue, as well as the airport.

Located steps from Expo MRT station, Dorsett Changi City Singapore is only one stop to Changi Airport on the Downtown Line. What’s more, with two MRT lines (East West and Downtown), travelling to other parts of Singapore is a cinch.

Not that we even ventured from the area, actually. Changi City Point shopping mall, known for its outlet stores and great discounts, is a minute away on foot (with shelter all the way). We ate dinner there, and the kid got some clothes from the sports outlet shops, which were having really good year-end deals.

There were some cool exhibitions happening at the EXPO itself as well, like Bubble Planet and the LEGO exhibition Art of the Brick, as well as an immersive go-kart circuit that young speedsters would love. I imagine families with children would appreciate a staycation where stay and play are located within easy walking distance of each other, yes?

(See also: FIND THE BEST SPORTS FOR YOUR CHILD TO PURSUE AND EXCEL IN, BASED ON THEIR CHINESE ZODIAC)

Staying at Dorsett Changi City Singapore

We had a lovely, relaxing time at Dorsett Changi City Singapore, and you can as well. Book your getaway at www.dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-changi-city-singapore/ or take part in our giveaway to win a 2D1N stay which includes one-night accommodation in the Dorsett Deluxe Room with breakfast for two persons. Want to bring the kids? Just top up for an extra bed ($80++ without breakfast, and $108++ with breakfast) upon making your reservation.

Featured image: Dorsett Changi City Singapore

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