Even at midnight, Singapore is beautiful. At least this was my impression as my hotel car sped along the tree-lined highway from Changi Airport into the city, while I admired the Lion City’s skyline all ablaze with lights. It was my first visit after the pandemic and I was eager to see and experience everything new and wonderful.
My journey to find experiences worth remembering began with my choice of hotel. The award-winning Intercontinental Hotel Singapore is a heritage building that has been refurbished completely on the inside, but in such a way that none of its personality is lost.
Everything was quiet when I arrived, as the hotel was obviously winding down another day. In hindsight, it was the perfect time to arrive, actually, as I was able to admire the Peranakan design and details without the crowds. If you do book a stay at this hotel, please take time to see the local details on every wall and in every corner, as you will find an Instagram photo opportunity everywhere amidst its classic white structure.
I loved the choice of Peranakan antiques, including the palanquin and the planter holder in the lobby. The dozens of different kinds of pottery made all the difference to what might have been a standard hotel space as well.
THE REAL SINGAPORE
The location is another attraction, especially for those seeking a real flavor of Singapore. It is right next to the very busy Bugis Junction with its mishmash of shopping malls — everything from bargain stores to relatively fancy boutiques — and this adds to its charm. You can find branded stores everywhere after all. However the most authentic Singapore, at least for me, is embodied by neighborhoods like Bugis and Bras Basah. Even the other neighborhoods like Little India and Arab Street are short distances away.
And amidst all this, the Intercontinental Hotel Singapore is literally an oasis of luxury and calm. It has many wonderful things to commend it for — a dramatic and elegant lobby lounge that’s extremely popular as a meeting place and a cozy and charming club lounge for long breakfasts and afternoon teas included.
RECENT AWARDS FOR
THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL SINGAPORE
- 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice: Best of the Best, Top 25 Luxury Hotels – Singapore
- 2021 World Luxury Awards, Luxury Heritage Hotel in Asia
- 2021 World Travel Awards, Singapore’s Leading City Hotel
THE BEAUTY OF PERANAKAN DESIGN
However, it was really the intricate Peranakan design — so rare to see in Singapore’s other luxury hotels — that captured my heart. The hotel has beautiful artworks as well as pottery and framed pieces of textile that all speak of an elegant heritage. It may seem easy to frame a piece of cloth and hang it on the wall, but here the fabric becomes art.
You see, Singapore is full of modern hotels but these all start to look alike after awhile. In comparison, the intricate and old-fashioned Peranakan designs at the Intercontinental Hotel Singapore captured my eye and my heart immediately. I took out my phone and began snapping photos even before I was midway through check-in procedures. By the time I reached my junior suite, I was completely charmed.
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THE JUNIOR SUITE EXPERIENCE OF THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL BUGIS
