Hotel Review: Intercontinental Singapore | Classic City View Room
A historical 5 Star Hotel, the Intercontinental Singapore is an impressive luxury property where their immaculate service overshadows their slightly older hard product.
Introduction
The Intercontinental Singapore is a heritage icon in the heart of Bugis, Singapore. Noted for its historical designs and elements, this once served as the flagship for the Intercontinental Brand and still resonates with various travelers that prefer a place of classical luxury and an unbeatable location.
Location
The hotel’s location is a perfect setup for those that are either business traveling or leisurely strolling around Singapore. A quick 2 minute walk across the Bugis Junction brings you to the Downtown Line Subway network (DT14), and the plethora of food and shopping is just a few feet away.
Check-in was incredibly easy and I’m thankful for the front desk for allowing me to check in early. The breakdown and the summary of what was available, plus the typical service from an IHG Ambassador Platinum made for a great check-in experience. I was given Room 1410 with a city view, an step upgrade from the typical classic view bedroom.
Heading to the room, I was impressed with the beautifully designed corridors and the blend of its Peranankan elements. This building feelings entirely colonial, yet there are subtle hints of classic British elements being woven in and out of each floor.
Room 1410 - Intercontinental Singapore
The bed here is incredibly comfortable and I easily knocked out the first couple of nights without even bothering to get settled. This may be in my top 5 hotel beds in the world to sleep in! In addition, a series of USB and outlets are available for charging, which is great for any travelers out there. There are also various light settings that make for great reading, night checkups and work setup.
Looking around the room, the Peranakan motif surrounds the bedroom with intricate and familiar patterns and an array of beautiful designs. White walls and natural lights make a for a beautiful setting throughout the day, even when it’s not as modern as its other rivals. Due to the longevity of the hotel, there are a few signs of age with the exterior and bathroom. However, this is a minor callout compared to the vast positives found in my stay.
Minibar and coffee/tea setup include the various Nespresso and TWG tea bags. There are two incredibly comfortable bathrobes and a laundry bag.
Bathroom setup is very typical and may feel a bit old compared to its other rivals, but the shower pressure is superb and with the dual rainforest shower head, it may be for showering a blast, literally. Toiletries are still the same Agraria brand found at almost every Intercontinental brand (save for the other Intercontinental Singapore property, which uses a different brand!).
As I mentioned, the bathroom is slightly showing its age, with a tub and standing shower utilizing a typical reddish tile and grout setting. However, the room is still incredibly massive for the a basic room with a view.
The lobby and the bar houses a series of places for people to unwind and have some amazing types of drinks from around the world. The lounge bar is a beautiful place to be and sometimes acts a secondary dining hall for Ash & Elm, which is their restaurant that serves breakfast in the morning. Speaking of breakfast…
Breakfast - Not as Great as I Thought?
If there’s only one slight weakness to this hotel, I think it’s their breakfast. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s always world’s apart compared to any American hotel breakfast setups, but having tried so many various 5 star hotel breakfast, this was definitely slightly disappointing for me.
The selections looked great, but when it came to the quality or the enjoyment, I found it rather lackluster for the price that one was paying for. In fact, I had a much better breakfast experience just down the street at the Andaz Singapore for a cheaper price, and it was all made to order. I honestly believe this may be the only flaw that the hotel has, as its competitor simply provides a much more unique twist and with better tasting food.
However, the rustic exterior coupled with the snazzy chandeliers made for a great place to have dinner at Ash & Elm. The staff were on point and very welcoming, immediately anticipating my every move when I went up and about to search for more food to eat.
Summary - Superb Value and Location
This is a FANTASTIC use of any IHG 40,000 point certificate, as it remains a bargain in my opinion as a luxury hotel in Singapore. Service staff from beginning to end are super attentive and have met my needs throughout my stay. The location of the hotel to its shopping malls, various top-rated bars and its historical vibes make for this one of the most underrated Intercontinental hotels out there.
A Quick Recap of the Intercontinental Singapore
Location, Location and Location
So many shopping portals and places to eat!
Room Service is quite affordable, color me surprised!
Shower pressure is amazing
Hotel showing its age
Breakfast at Ash & Elm may not be worth it
