If you've always dreamt of lazing in a Singapore Airlines First Class Suites cabin on an Airbus A380 jet, but can’t bear to fork out a five-figure sum for the experience, here’s your chance to live that dream for under $150.

Well, sorta.

YotelAir Singapore Changi Airport hotel, nestled within Jewel, hosted us for a staycay recently, where we spent one night in the Premium Queen Cabin. This is the UK hotel chain's latest property in Singapore, after the 610-room Yotel in Orchard Road. It also runs five airport hotels around the world, two in London, and one each in Amsterdam, Paris and Istanbul.

It’s ostensibly targeted at transit travellers needing a room for a nap and shower before their next flight, or folks with super early or late flights who are looking for a place to crash. Which is why you don’t have to book a room at this hotel strictly for at least a night, like regular hotels: you can also make a reservation in blocks of four, six or eight hours for a quick recharge before you go on your merry way.

Promo short stay rates start at $80 for two hours (until Jul 31, 2019), or $140 for one night in the Premium Queen Cabin that accommodates up to two pax. For larger groups, there is also a FamilyCabin available that can fit four people, with a double bed and a kid-friendly bunk bed. It costs $96 to $164 (with the opening promotion) to book the FamilyCabin from four hours to 24 hours. After July 31, the rooms will cost approximately 25 per cent more than their promo price.

Yotelair serves a practical purpose of letting tired travellers get some rest, but if you think you need more than a day to explore the sprawling Jewel and stay all the way in the West, it makes sense to arrange a staycay here. The hotel is located right inside Jewel, in a corner of the much-hyped mall’s fourth floor, so you can drop off your shopping or snooze off your lunch before you go queue up for A&W at the basement, or hit up the 24-hour Koi bubble tea outlet right below the hotel. Like its other fun, lively properties, the Yotelair here is decked out like a futuristic aircraft in the company’s signature purple.

The cosy reception lounge, called Mission Control, is decked out in punchy colours.

We’ve felt the annoyance of being in a hurry to check out of our hotel and having to wait for a hotel receptionist to attend to us. But if the receptionists are all busy here, you have the option of doing a self check-in/check-out. There’s also an card charger for you to settle your outstanding hotel room bill before you leave. We tried this nifty service out when we checked out, and it took us less than two minutes to get the job done and drop off our room key card in a slot at the table.

Like its entrance, the lifts here are also sleek and futuristic. We almost expect Britney Spears to burst out of a lift a la her flight-themed ‘Toxic’ MV.

There are 130 rooms here, all tucked within a maze that ultimately leads back to the front reception.

One particular hotel walkway overlooks the pedestrian link bridge to Changi Airport’s Terminal 2.

If you’re looking for a huge room where you can take #staycay selfies with your squad, this isn't for you. As its name suggests, the space-efficient rooms here are windowless cabins with trippy purple lighting and just enough room for a small-scale pillow fight. The bathroom is right behind your bed, separated by only a glass panel, though you can draw the curtains for some privacy. Folks prone to claustrophobia may find this cabin rather cramped. But think of it as an airplane cabin or even a Business Class lounge in an airport, rather than a hotel room in, say, the city centre,it kinda makes sense. It's all about managing expectations, okay?

In fact, the room reminds us of a Singapore Airlines First Class suite on board the Airbus A380, where you get to fly in the comfort of your own private space and a reclining bed. It’s the same theory here, except you have to imagine you’re in a plane lah, and you get an en-suite bathroom, at least.

The room’s soft, cushy bed with crisp, fragrant sheets can be adjusted up or down via a switch beside the bed, so you can watch TV without having to prop up on a million pillows. Other than cable channels, the in-room television is cast-enabled, so you can stream your Netflix shows from your phone to watch on the TV screen.

Despite the room size, it has all the amenities one could need for a night’s stay, made possible with a dash of smart space-saving design. Instead of a bedside night stand, there is a shelf for you to place your belongings, as well as USB power points to charge your phone. Pull out a purple panel lying flush against the wall, and you get a table. Pull out a foldable stool tucked beside the bed and you're all set.

The bathroom is clean and functional, though no frills, so leave your Lush bath bomb at home.

There’s a rain shower head and a regular shower head, as well as shampoo and soap provided. Yotelair uses toiletries from Australian label Urban Skincare Co, which smells so unbelievably luxurious.

Another wall-recessed shelf in the bathroom, which reminds us of, well, a Business Class toilet on a plane, stocks plenty of fluffy white towels and a hairdryer that you can use from any power point in the room.

Unlike a typical hotel, Yotelair does not have its own in-house restaurant (what for, when there are so many dining options right at their doorstep). But they do have their own club lounge, Komyuniti, which is really a pantry-like space with a coffee machine and snacks, plus tables and chairs for you to sit and eat.

The club lounge is also where you have your complimentary breakfast, which is an adequate buffet spread of pastries, cereal, toast and coffee, tea and juices.

It’s worth, er, lounging in the lounge though. It offers a decent view of the Rain Vortex waterfall, and you don’t have to squeeze with selfie-snapping tourists.

If you prefer something more filling, there is also the option of ordering hot food from Mission Control (aka the front desk). The cheapest item on the menu is the Vegetarian Rice Noodles ($8), while the pricest dish is a Teriyaki Chicken with Rice ($10). You can also order a selection of beers, wines and spirits, and enjoy your food and drinks in your room or the lounge.

If you feel guilty about hitting up that 24-hour Koi outlet, head to Yotelair's in-house gym, which has a view of Changi Airport. It's equipped with basic workout equipment like weights and treadmills. Or if you just fancy a shower before catching your flight, there’s also the option of booking a shower room (from $20 for an hour).

Verdict: Yotelair is good for a staycay if you're planning to explore Jewel's myriad of eateries and shops without worrying about time. The hotel's relatively affordable rooms, though tiny and fuss-free, are comfy enough.That said, playing tourist for the weekend here would probably appeal most to folks who don't live close to the airport (it takes less time to get from Jurong to JB, than it does from Jurong to Jewel, okay?) Plus, it gives you the option of schlepping down to the Rain Vortex for a selfie when all the gawking crowds have taken the last train home.

Yotelair Singapore Changi Airport, #04-280 Jewel Changi Airport, S819666. Tel: 6407-7888. Make a reservation via www.yotel.com.

For 8days.sg’s comprehensive guide to eating your way around Jewel, click here. And check out what’s good to shop there here.

PHOTOS: YIP JIEYING