Dorsett Changi City (Capri by Fraser) Review

Derek and I recently spent a night in Dorsett Changi City (rebranded from Capri) for a staycation. The hotel is located next to Changi City Point shopping mall and only a one-minute walk from Expo MRT station. As its location suggests, Dorsett Changi City is perfect for either business travelers working in or around Changi Business Park, or transit passengers who want to be close to Changi Airport (it’s just one MRT stop).

But does the location and suite-style rooms translate to an actual good stay? Read on to find out.

Booking & Check-In Experience

We had booked the room through Booking.com just a few days before the check-in date. This is because we got super last-minute staycation cravings and needed a place to stay. The room we stayed in was a Studio Superior Room at around SGD 350 a night. Not a budget rate at all since we could have saved SGD 50–100 more if we had made a more advance booking, but fine considering the short notice and location.

Booking.com only asked for the name of one traveler, so Derek added mine and my NRIC in the “special request” field at the bottom so that I could check in first. However, this ended up being one of the worst check-in experiences of my life. (This was the hotel’s first mistake.)

Upon reaching the reception, I was greeted by this message (luckily, the staff at reception did not ask for the name of the second traveler during check-in):

The special request in the booking request above is the small text at the bottom where I put my NRIC details. Note that this information is “requested” by Booking.com, so it’s not actually visible on the official booking record. The hotel staff said they could not see the special request when they checked the booking request on their end.

The attendant told me that I could not check in at the hotel as I did not appear on the official booking record. After an hour, explaining, and showing my ID card, they still said I could not. It was only after Derek sent them a screenshot of the booking record on his phone, which clearly showed my name, that they grudgingly allowed me to check in after a 30-minute wait. The staff at the hotel were very polite about it, but it was still very unprofessional to begin our staycation that way, especially after we had traveled from work already.

Room Size & Layout: Surprisingly Spacious for a Singapore Hotel Room

Thankfully the check-in mishap was quickly forgotten when we saw how big the room was. The Studio Superior Room we stayed in was a 35 square meters. This is bigger than a typical hotel room in Singapore, let alone at a mid-tier hotel. The usual standard hotel room in Singapore would probably be around 15–20 sqm or smaller in this price range.

The entrance of the room features a mini kitchenette with an electric induction hob, microwave, fridge, sink, and some basic cooking pots and utensils.We did not cook during our stay but it’s a very useful amenity if you want to save on eating out, or are a long-stay guest.

The wardrobe is to the right of the kitchenette, and it leads into the bathroom on the other side of the room.

The bathroom features a spacious bathtub and a separate shower area, with full-size mirror, towels, bathrobes, and standard bath essentials.

The bathroom is also clean and has the sliding door design for a more open feel to the rest of the room. The bedroom and living space are not sectioned by a physical partition, but are visually separated.

The king-sized bed is comfortable and there is a floor-to-ceiling French windows looking out into the business park and residential streets of Changi. It’s not the most scenic skyline in the world, but it’s a nice view that makes you feel open and breezy, if only for Changi.

There is also a long study desk and a flat-screen TV that can rotate to your position (whether you’re seated at the bed or desk).

Facilities: Efficient and Modern

We checked out most of the hotel facilities, and it turns out all the main facilities are located on Level 2, namely:

• Swimming Pool: An outdoor lap pool with lounging chairs on either side. It’s not huge, but is fine if you want to cool down in the Singapore heat or take a short dip.
• Fitness Centre: Standard cardio machines, free weights, and mirrors. It’s a modern and clean place to work out. We also noticed a few people from the Changi Business Park doing a quick session in the early evening.
• Spa Room: The spa was not open during our visit, but we were told that you can book in advance for spa treatments and massages.
• Dorsett Changi City also has a laundry area that’s useful for long-stay guests, as well as a 24/7 spin & play room where you can do your laundry and watch TV or play games.

Food & Dining: Skip the Hotel Breakfast

We did not have breakfast at the hotel, and frankly, we didn’t need to. Changi City Point is just right next door and is home to a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and food options. Whether you are craving a nice brunch or breakfast, fast food or Asian cuisine, everything is just a 3-minute walk from the hotel.

Nearby food places include:

• Saap Saap Thai for cheap Thai food
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for breakfast and coffee
• Soup Restaurant, Ichiban Sushi, and other casual food chains
• Don Don Donki for Japanese snacks and quick bites

For this reason alone, we would not recommend paying for breakfast at the hotel. With the Changi City Point mall right next door, we think it’s more fun and cheaper to eat out instead.

Location: Excellent for Airport Access and Business Travelers

Location is by far Dorsett Changi City biggest strength. The Expo MRT station is a one-minute walk away, which makes it very easy to reach both Changi Airport (1 stop away) and the Downtown and East-West MRT lines.

If you are a layover passenger arriving or departing from Changi Airport, you can take the MRT to the hotel in under 10 minutes, and even walk from the MRT station directly into the hotel via a covered linkway so you are protected from the elements. This makes it a great place to stay while waiting for your flight.

Business travelers can also benefit from being here since the Changi Business Park is also nearby, especially since most of the Changi Airport MRT stations are located towards the other end, which can be further away. Changi Business Park is also home to financial institutions like Credit Suisse, JPMorgan Chase, and AXA Singapore, so you might also find people staying in the hotel for work.

Locals can even use this for a staycation as well since the place is quite “far away” for Singapore but still within the same city, so you can stay, eat, and enjoy without leaving Singapore. It’s also great for digital nomads who may need space and the proper amenities to work.

All in all, it’s a very convenient location for:

• Layover passengers transiting through Changi Airport
• Business travelers working in or near Changi Business Park
• Locals on a staycation or just for a weekend getaway
• Digital nomads who need space and convenience

Tips for Staying at Dorsett Changi City

Check-in early

Due to the MRT’s odd timings, you might also want to keep in mind that the check-in time is 3 PM (check-out is 12 PM).

Dorsett Changi City only allows check-in after 3 PM on the day of check-in, and if you are traveling via MRT during that time, you might want to plan accordingly.

Keep your booking request

When you book through Booking.com, it may be best to keep the booking request as it may come in handy during your check-in. Keep in mind, however, that Booking.com doesn’t actually send the information in the special request to the hotel as it’s only “requested”. Thus, make sure to either add the information clearly on the booking form or also mention it to the hotel staff in person.

Would We Stay Again at Dorsett Changi City?

We would still stay at Dorsett Changi City again, though a smoother check-in and check-out would be much appreciated. The room is very spacious and comfortable, with a kitchenette and bathtub. It’s also very convenient if you are traveling to or from Changi Airport.

For guests who work at the Changi Business Park or East, it is a good location as well since all of the Changi Airport MRT stations are quite far away from those areas.