Intercontinental Singapore

BACKGROUND

Built in 1995, the hotel has recently completed a major yearlong renovation. The new, modern look aims to distance the property from its reputation as “the Peranakan hotel” while incorporating more diverse elements of local culture and raising standards across the board.

WHERE IS IT?

Situated in the Bugis district, the hotel is surrounded by elements of heritage, culture and art, as well as being attached to the Bugis Junction shopping mall. Popular nightspot Clarke Quay is a 20-minute stroll down Victoria/Hill Street. The hotel is a 5-10 minute drive to the Marina Bay Sands complex and 20 minutes away from the airport, while the Bugis MRT station is within walking distance.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Smartly uniformed doormen staff the serene entrance courtyard, while the beautiful white building façade has shuttered windows reminiscent of the traditional shophouse exteriors for which this locale is famous. Inside, a spacious sitting room-inspired lobby is populated with cosy armchairs and ornamental cultural memorabilia – for once, the “home away from home” cliché has been realised rather well. Staff are friendly and attentive and a cosmopolitan crowd mills about – the atmosphere is one of relaxed luxury.

ROOM FACILITIES

My Deluxe room on the 15th floor of the renovated main tower was a fairly standard (for the luxury sector) 38 sqm, but the revamped décor was outstanding. With just two narrow floor-toceiling windows, the room doesn’t have much natural light, but the bright, elegant interior made up for this. Like the façade, the walls are pure white and bare of artwork, however clever panelling details and babyblue accents give a fresh, distinctive feel. Likewise, the “phoenix-inspired” patterned carpets with flashes of turquoise give the room style and personality. Other details have been subtly incorporated to add a local flavour – from an oriental black lacquer cabinet (housing the minibar), to colonial pillars.

Facilities are comprehensive, from a sturdy, wooden work desk complete with international power sockets, to a user-friendly smart TV that allows for everything from entertainment (international TV channels and Youtube) to ordering room service and reading messages from the concierge. The popular Handy mobile phone is also now available in guestrooms (though it was temporarily unavailable during my stay). All the usual perks are present, including a coffee machine, iron and hairdryer. A full-length mirror was a welcome addition.

International sockets and USB ports by the bedside were convenient for phone charging, and the complimentary wifi was fast and easy to connect. One annoying detail was the smoke alarm, located above the bed, that constantly emitted flashes from two tiny LEDs – potentially very aggravating for light sleepers. The bathroom was spacious, with a separate bathtub and shower and premium American-branded Agraria amenities.

RESTAURANTS

Man Fu Yuan is the Chinese restaurant on Level 2. The dining room is simple yet elegant, and the food was fantastic. The European-focused Ash & Elm restaurant on Level 1 has a much bolder design, with a dark, warm interior and an open-kitchen concept featuring three live cooking stations. Breakfast is a buffet affair, while dinner switches to à la carte.

Other F&B offerings include fine-dining Japanese restaurant Chikuyotei, the English pub-style Victoria, and a glamorous lobby lounge, the centrepiece of the hotel with dramatic high ceilings, grand pillars and live piano music all day.

BUSINESS & MEETING FACILITIES

There are 11 function rooms including the moderately sized Bugis Grand Ballroom, which can cater for up to 500. The Club Lounge offers lots of charming Peranakan details, including colourful glassware, motif-carved screens and again the iconic shuttered windows. Breakfast is served here (buffet and à la carte), with complimentary afternoon tea and evening cocktails also offered. A meeting room is available, with two complimentary hours per guest, plus computer and printer facilities.

LEISURE FACILITIES

Leisure options are limited, though the mid-sized gym was also recently renovated and includes a mezzanine area for yoga. Other highlights include a two-hour guided heritage trail every Saturday.

VERDICT

The new renovation has given this property a fabulous facelift. It was an absolute pleasure to stay, with a homey feel, excellent service and great dining options in a convenient part of town.

The spacious sitting room-inspired lobby is populated with cosy armchairs – for once, the “home away from home” cliché has been realised rather well