We went for a staycation at Civil Service Club at Changi. Here's what it's like at this hidden gem in eastern Singapore

With resort-style suites and facilities, the Civil Service Club at Changi promises a unique and fun-filled staycation for families in Singapore.

During this March school holiday, we discovered a hidden gem for a staycation in the east of Singapore—and we couldn’t wait to share it with you! Say hello to the Civil Service Club (CSC) at Changi, where we had an unforgettable time soaking up all it has to offer.

Now, you might be wondering, "Is the Civil Service Club just for civil servants?" The answer is no! You don’t need to work for the Singapore government to enjoy CSC’s facilities. In fact, their chalets—spread across three locations: Changi I, Changi II, and Loyang—are open for public booking. But more on that later. For now, let’s dive into our review of CSC Changi I at 2 Netheravon Road, where our family staycation adventure began!

We arrived at Civil Service Club at Changi at 3pm, excited to check in. The clubhouse is nestled in a beautifully preserved conservation bungalow that dates back to the early 1900s, later rejuvenated by CSC in the 1990s.

With its colonial-style architecture, lush greenery, and close proximity to the beach, the compound transports you to a serene retreat that feels worlds away from the bustling cityscape of Singapore.

Although Changi I is categorised as a chalet on CSC’s website, calling it a "chalet" doesn’t quite do it justice. The rooms and facilities here are more akin to a resort! Take a look at the photos of our beautiful family suite:

The first thing that caught my attention was the suite's impressive space. At 86 sqm, CSC Changi's family suites offer a generous layout featuring a living area, a kitchenette, and double bedrooms. Here's a closer look at the living space.

Our suite comes with a spacious balcony with patio furniture and view of the pool.

This is such a great space for alfresco dining. There's also a drying rack which is definitely handy when you need to dry your swimming gear.

View of pool from balcony

On the to the bedrooms! Here's the first bedroom.

It comes with an ensuite toilet.

Here's the second bedroom with two single beds.

We love the towels folded into swans and elephants on the beds - such personal touches by housekeeping!

The second bedroom is also conveniently connected to a second toilet, which you can access from the living area as well. The toilet is similar in style and amenities to the first bedroom's toilet. Both are well-equipped with essentials like toothbrushes, shower gel, and shampoo. Having two toilets in our accommodation is an absolute game-changer—it makes our staycation so much more convenient and saves us valuable time.

The kitchenette is well equipped with everything you need in a kitchen - fridge, microwave, cold and hot water dispenser, induction stove, coffee machine, sink, dishwashing liquid, drying rack, crockery and utensils. It also struck me how well kept and clean everything is from the floors to furniture to crockery, and even the washing sponge is new!

There's also complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits. The canned drinks in the fridge are chargeable but if you really want a snack or drink outside of these items in the room, there are quite a number of vending machines in the compound which you can get a variety of drinks and snacks from.

And here's another personal touch from CSC Changi - the kids amenities and a complimentary Chocolate Origin chocolates they left for us in the suite. Such a thoughtful and welcoming gesture - we especially love the paint sets and traditional games!

After marveling at our gorgeous suite, it was time to head for the pool!

The CSC Changi pool and its stunning view took my breath away.

The pool area comes with a lap pool and jacuzzies facing Changi beach and the ocean. There's also a kids wading pool and wet playground, though the latter was under maintenance when we were there.

Chilling in the jacuzzi was such a delight—we soaked in the gorgeous view of the sea while enjoying the gentle rustling of trees in the ocean breeze. Every so often, a plane would fly overhead, adding a touch of wonder to the relaxing atmosphere.

The serene and picturesque surroundings transported us to what felt like a luxurious resort in Thailand or Indonesia—a blissful escape and much-needed break from work and school truly refreshed and rejuvenated us all.

We wished we could’ve lingered a little longer, but our growling tummies reminded us it was time for dinner. There are plenty of eateries in the Changi Village area but when you're already hungry and don't feel like heading out, there are good dining options right here at CSC Changi, including the beachfront restaurant, Canopy Changi Village, Al Capone's with its Italian fusion food, the laid-back diner, Ohana Beach House, and Muslim Delights at CSC's Recreation Complex.

For our dinner, we went to Canopy Changi Village. Having heard glowing reviews, we were excited to finally experience this restaurant for ourselves.

We chose to dine indoors at Canopy Changi Village to enjoy the cool comfort of the air conditioning. The restaurant’s ambiance is absolutely charming, with soothing shades of blue that evoke the tranquility of the sky and ocean, complemented by greenery that brings nature to your surroundings. The resort-like vibe perfectly aligns with the laid-back, idyllic atmosphere of Civil Service Club at Changi.

We ordered the Carbonara pasta, which was delightfully creamy and packed with a generous serving of savoury bacon (S$24).

The fish burger was delicious, with the fish cooked to perfection—golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining tender and flaky on the inside (S$22).

Big E absolutely loved the pan-seared Norwegian salmon! The fish skin was so crisp, adding a satisfying crunch, while the tender salmon was perfectly complemented by creamy mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus, and juicy cherry tomatoes (S$27).

The cheddar cheese burger was a big hit with Little E! The crispy chicken paired perfectly with the golden fries, and the fresh side salad added a nice, wholesome touch to the meal (S$25).

Hubs and I had their refreshing sparkling spritzer at 2 for $9.90 - they felt like a steal!

Canopy Changi Village also features an outdoor dining area, which seems to be a favourite among diners, especially with the lively atmosphere created by the live band performing during weekend dinner hours. For families with kids, there’s a sand play area where little ones can have a blast once they’ve grown tired of sitting at the table.

Here’s how it looks in the evening. The combination of live music and the gentle ocean breeze creates such a relaxing and inviting vibe.

Dinner was perfect, and dining at the beautiful Canopy Changi Village truly enhanced the resort-like experience, making it the ideal addition to our staycation. Since the restaurant is open to the public, we’re already looking forward to coming back another day!

After our meal, we made our way up to the fifth-floor rooftop of our suite's building to take in the stunning views. This is what we see:

The view of Changi Village Hotel right opposite CSC Changi is also very pretty.

The rooftop features six BBQ pits, exclusively available for guests staying in the suites. During our visit at night, all the pits were fully booked, making it a lively and bustling spot. Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing daytime pictures later!

We ended the day unwinding in our cozy suite. For entertainment, there are TVs with cable channels in both bedrooms and the living room. And yes, free Wi-Fi is included, keeping everyone happily connected!

I was especially pleased with the suite's layout—there were enough beds and rooms for our family of four to rest comfortably. On our holidays or staycations, we often have to pass on hotels that can’t accommodate all of us in one room or that require us to book two rooms, which can get pricey, especially when kids aged 12 and above are considered adults. The 4-pax occupancy at CSC Changi’s family suite is such a practical and attractive option for families like ours.

CSC Changi has three family suites and one handicap-accessible family suite designed for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. There are also four family suite plus units, which can accommodate up to five guests with an additional pullout bed. Other than family suites, there are also single suites for 2 pax and villas with bigger capacity than family suites.

At the time of writing, family suite rates range from S$326.45 to S$676.05, depending on whether you’re a CSC member and whether your stay falls during peak (weekends, school, and public holidays) or off-peak periods (weekdays). The public can book these suites too, but CSC members enjoy preferential rates. For more details on room rates, do see CSC's website on its family suites. You can also get more info on how to be a CSC member at its website - which, by the way, is open to the public, not just civil servants!

Day 2

We all enjoyed a restful night’s sleep, thanks to the comfy beds and extra pillows in our rooms. That said, light sleepers might want to pack earplugs, as the occasional sound of planes flying overhead is part of the charm of being in the Changi area.

While there’s no shortage of dining options nearby—including the Changi Village Hawker Centre just a few minutes’ walk away—we opted to bring breakfast from home to save time for our packed day ahead. With the well-equipped kitchenette, we had everything we needed to savour our dabao-ed breakfast in comfort.

It would have been lovely to enjoy an alfresco meal on the balcony, but the patio furniture was unfortunately wet from the overnight rain. Still, I managed to carve out some time during our stay to relax with a good book and a warm cup of TWG tea while soaking in the serene balcony views.

After breakfast, we made our way up to the rooftop to take in a clearer view of our surroundings in the morning light. Here’s a glimpse of one of the BBQ areas—it’s well-equipped with tables and benches, offering a cozy spot for gatherings.

The view from here is really beautiful. Here's one of the pool and Changi Beach.

Here's another view from the other end of the rooftop.

There's also a pair of very powerful binoculars at the rooftop which gave us close-ups of the islands in the distance. Remember to try it out!

Other activities

If you’re curious about other activities available at Civil Service Club at Changi, its Recreation Complex has plenty to offer, including a bowling alley and tennis courts.

There's also a side gate that leads to the Changi Point Coastal Walk, aka the Changi Boardwalk.

We had previously explored a portion of the Boardwalk and were captivated by the spectacular scenery. Along the way, there’s plenty to admire, from vibrant wildlife to majestic heritage trees that add to the charm of the journey.

Of course, Changi Beach is just a stone's throw away.

Changi Ferry Point Terminal is also nearby. If you have time, you can always consider visiting Pulau Ubin!

With many shared bike stations along Netheravon Road outside of CSC Changi, cycling is a good way to check out the vicinity as well.

The Changi Village area boasts plenty of eateries within walking distance of CSC Changi. It’s also where we had our first taste of Chocolate Origin—and we absolutely loved their gelato and chocolate cake!

We also had dim sum at Le Xuan Hong Kong Dim Sum.

The area is teeming with wildlife, and we were lucky enough to spot hornbills quite frequently. Can you spot the pair of hornbills in the photo below? Their nest is tucked into a hollow in the tree, where they were busy feeding their young—a truly fascinating sight to witness!

We also love seeing the many chickens and roosters!

Farm tour

Staying at CSC Changi comes with the added perk of a complimentary farm tour at the House of Melissa Evelin. Located at Civil Service Club at Changi II, just a short distance down the road from CSC Changi I, this hour-long tour is truly a must-do—it was a hit with both the kids and adults in my household!

To reach the House of Melissa Evelin, you can walk or drive down, then park at Changi II at 30 Netheravon Road before taking a brief walk to Chalet F. Along the way, keep an eye out for more wildlife, like these adorable silkies!

We kicked off the farm tour by feeding the ducks, which was a lot of fun! However, our attempts to carry them didn’t go quite as planned—but it was all part of the experience!

We also learned about composting. Participants got the opportunity to help by chopping up food waste.

The final highlight of our farm tour was learning about the fascinating honey bees that the farm rears on site. It was such an informative and memorable way to wrap up the experience.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous about this—I’m definitely not a fan of insects! But once we put on our safety gear, we were able to get an up-close look at the honey bees and their hives safely. It turned out to be such an educational and fascinating experience, and I’m so glad we had the chance to do it.

If you’re staying at CSC Changi, I highly recommend booking this complimentary farm tour through CSC Changi—it’s an experience not to be missed! Just don’t forget to apply some mosquito repellent beforehand, as there are mozzies around. Thankfully, the farm thoughtfully provides mosquito repellent for those who need it during the tour.

As you can see, a staycation at Civil Service Club Changi offers countless fun and engaging activities for both kids and adults. If you can, I highly recommend a 3D2N stay—it’s the perfect duration to fully enjoy the facilities at CSC Changi while keeping your schedule relaxed and unhurried. For even more activity ideas and suggested itineraries, CSC has a comprehensive and helpful playbook worth checking out.

And with that, our staycation has come to an end. It’s been a truly memorable experience, with our beautiful suite, resort-like atmosphere and facilities, in addition to activities that delighted the whole family. I'm missing it already! For more pics and videos, do check out the IGS highlights and post at my Instagram page at VivianTeoWriter.

Thank you for hosting us, Civil Service Club at Changi—we had an absolute blast!

Disclaimer: This review has been kindly facilitated by a media invite from the Civil Service Club, with our meal at Canopy Changi Village being partially sponsored by the restaurant. As always, our opinions remain entirely our own.

©Vivian Teo. All content and photos are copyrighted to Vivian Teo unless otherwise specified.