The Lobby Lounge

Intercontinental Singapore 80 Middle Road 6338 7600 | singapore.intercontinental.com

Teatime: Afternoon tea is served daily from 2 to 5pm. It costs $78 for two, inclusive of loose-leaf teas, or $108, with the addition of two flutes of Perrier-jouët Grand Brut. There’s something about afternoon tea at a smart hotel that’s just so indulgent – I don’t think we do it often enough. At the time of our visit, the Easter tea set (watch out for the Spring version coming soon), was still available, so we tried that, plus the classic high-tea option.

The three tiers of decadence served on stylish plates (as you would expect) and in classic tiered form included an extensive and inventive selection of finger sandwiches, small cakes, little quiches and other treats, all standing resplendent in their tantalising glory. The kids adored the bunny-shaped macaroons – after we’d made them eat something savoury from the lower tier. Tasty little quiches Lorraine and chicken and cucumber finger sandwiches, among the many savoury offerings, were the perfect prelude to all the sweetness that followed. A basket of warm scones with clotted cream and jams finished off the experience, all washed down with a pot of Earl Grey tea and chased with glasses of bubbles. Tastiest treat: The hotel’s take on Battenberg cake (chocolate and vanilla, instead of the iconic pink and vanilla squares) was the best I’d ever eaten – seriously, off the charts! Psst! Maybe request a table a little farther from the piano and violin duo, as it’s rather on the loud side! And if you ask nicely, there are colouring sheets with pens for the kids.