This recently renovated classic is a sophisticated celebration of the city-state’s diversity and traditions

East meets West

Informed by the country’s diverse cultural history, InterContinental Singapore gracefully weaves Peranakan motifs throughout its interiors and, in doing so, forms a rich tapestry of Eastern and Western design. From the porcelain Hainanese tiffin carrier and Sulawesi sailing boat adorning the shelves of the hotel’s Concierge Lounge to the elegant, silk batik block-printing found above the rooms’ headboards, the hotel demonstrates an artistic flair that belies the company’s business-centric image.

Shuttered dreams

The InterContinental’s 403 guestrooms range from Deluxe Rooms to a mixture of suites, all of which include a suitably plush bed, feature mirrors and custom furnishings. Silk-threaded wall coverings and panels play against largely white walls to create an invigorating mood that is accented by gold and duck-egg-blue elements, which add a sense of timelessness to the spaces. We’d recommend the Heritage Suites, with their large, modern bathrooms and wooden-shuttered windows looking over the humming
streets below.

Business class

Singapore is renowned for its ease of doing business, so it’s fitting that the InterContinental places such emphasis on making solo travellers feel welcome through its Club InterContinental experience. Complimentary à la carte breakfasts, afternoon tea and evening cocktails, as well as one hour’s free access to the boardroom are but a few of the extensive benefits extended to Club guests. In keeping with the hotel’s Peranakan theme, the Club lounge is fitted with thoughtfully curated furniture and modelled on the shophouses that once lined Singapore’s streets.

A trip down hipster lane

Just a ten-minute walk from the hotel, Haji Lane, with its cold-brew coffee and achingly cool boutiques is a perfect spot to while away an afternoon. The lane serves up a healthy dose of juice bars and independent restaurants and even boasts its own barber-cum-tattoo-parlour. Part of the historically Muslim Kampong Glam neighbourhood, it is also just around the corner from Masjid Sultan, the city-state’s iconic mosque that has remained largely unchanged since its construction in 1928.

Insider tip

Recognising that one of the hotel’s great strengths is its location, the InterContinental organises a guided heritage trail every Saturday afternoon that takes in more than 20 historical sites, national monuments and art institutions, as well as some of Singapore’s lesser known cultural highlights. Guests can sign up to the tour, curated in partnership with the Singapore Tourist Guides Society, through the hotel’s concierge team.