InterContinental

BACKGROUND InterContinental opened in 1995. Renovation of its Heritage Tower was completed in 2011 and of its Main Tower in 2016. The property prides itself in connecting guests to art and heritage because of it being centrally located close to cultural districts.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? As soon as you enter, to the left is a lounge that is styled like a Peranakan (descendants of Chinese immigrants in Singapore) living room, decorated in Peranakan prints and curios. Beside it is the concierge desk, and opposite is a guest relations’ desk for IHG Club members. Reception desks are opposite the hotel’s entrance.

Walk east, past the reception, and you will come to an empty space with lifts to access higher Áoors, two sofa seating sets, one phone booth, entrance to a Japanese restaurant, and The Lobby Lounge.

Throughout the property there are hints of Peranakan culture. The ceiling of The Lobby Lounge, its carpet and tiles on the pillars display this distinctly. Framed paintings on walls are a bold showcase of this culture too.

WHERE IS IT? It is a 20-minute drive from Changi Airport and within walking distance of art galleries and museums.

ROOM FACILITIES Heritage Tower has rooms on levels two and three – Heritage rooms and Shophouse rooms. This wing is bathed in nuances of Peranakan culture. It shows in the subdued colours, furnishings, motifs on the air conditioning vents, and the runners on wooden Áoorboards. Entrances to suites in this wing are designed after ancient Peranakan homes with carved Áowerpots, suspended potted plants in decorative holders and patterned tiles.

Deluxe and Premier Deluxe rooms are in Main Tower that is more modern in design with gold and turquoise trimmings and carpeted Áoors. Peranakan culture shows in the painting above the bed perhaps. The only other similarity in design between the two towers is the portable wooden minibar with golden etchings.

I stayed in the Club room, which meant, I was escorted from the reception to The Club Lounge on level two. I was oͿered a complimentary tea or coͿee while waiting for check-in to be completed.

The Club room greeted me with a beautiful assortment of local sweets. A large window provided grand views of the city, the hotel’s swimming pool below and into windows of a commercial building opposite. Guests of Club rooms and suites are given free laundry service for two pieces, and have access to The Club Lounge that has an afternoon tea service, cocktail hour, separate breakfast and all-day tea coͿee and juices.

All rooms have a separate bathtub and rain shower, well sized work desk with ample universal plug points, tea coͿee making facilities, LCD television, free water bottles and a minibar. WiÀ is free to IHG Rewards Club members, sign up to which is free at the time of check-in. The available handy phone in each room and suite can be taken with you outside the property for the day. It provides free internet and local calls, and free international calls to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, UAE and Vietnam. RESTAURANTS AND BARS

The Lobby Lounge is the allday restaurant; Man Fu Yuan serves “homestyle” Chinese dishes; Ash & Elm focuses on European dining and serves buͿet breakfast; Chikuyotei is a Àne dining Japanese restaurant managed by a third party. Victoria Bar is an English-style pub that serves cocktails, beers, wines and whiskies from 5pm until 1am.

MEETING FACILITIES The ballroom can hold 500 people and be divided into three; the two meeting rooms have a capacity for 120 people each that can also be divided into three parts each; a boardroom can hold ten people, and the library is 69 sqm. There is no business centre on the property, but guests can access the computer and iMac connected to a printing, scanning and photocopying machine in the lobby. Alternatively, Club room guests can use similar facilities at The Club Lounge. LEISURE FACILITIES The swimming pool area also has a Jacuzzi. The Àtness Áoor has a gym stocked with water bottles and towels, as well as steam and sauna rooms, and a yoga studio.

VERDICT It is a comfortable choice for business travellers with ample options to hold impromptu meetings.