InterContinental Singapore

InterContinental Singapore: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The InterContinental Singapore, a distinguished Michelin Key selected property, consistently garners positive feedback for its seamless blend of Peranakan heritage and contemporary luxury. Guests frequently commend its attentive service, prime location, and elegant design, contributing to a generally high level of satisfaction.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The InterContinental Singapore enjoys a strong overall rating and positive sentiment among guests. It is described as a luxury hotel that offers a sense of calm amidst the city's hustle and bustle. Verified Michelin Guide guests have given it a score of 18.5 out of 20, indicating a very high level of satisfaction. Many consider it a "must-stay" hotel and a benchmark for luxury historical properties, appreciating its dedication to warm, personalized attention and high service standards.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects of the InterContinental Singapore:

• Service & Hospitality: The attentive and friendly staff, along with warm, personalized service, are frequently praised.
• Location: Its central location in the Bugis district, with direct access to Bugis Junction shopping complex and MRT station, is a major draw. This makes it convenient for exploring historical enclaves like Arab Street, Kampong Glam, and Little India.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's design cleverly blends Peranakan heritage with contemporary styles, creating attractive and comfortable spaces that evoke an old-world ambiance. The sprawling marble reception area and internal atriums contribute to a feeling of grandeur.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a range of amenities including an outdoor pool, hot tub, rooftop garden, and a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center with a yoga room. The Club InterContinental Lounge is also a significant highlight for guests with access, offering bespoke services and culinary indulgences.

3. Room Quality

The 403 guest rooms and suites are described as spacious, elegant, and comfortable, maintaining high standards of accommodation through continuous refurbishment.

• Design: Rooms feature classic, luxurious interiors with tasteful heritage accents, often incorporating Peranakan elements like soothing color palettes and timber flooring, especially in the Club Heritage Rooms. Some rooms boast high ceilings and chandeliers.
• Comfort: Guests frequently praise the high quality of the bedding, with many remarking on the comfort of the king-sized beds and plush pillows, ensuring a restful sleep.
• Features: Rooms typically include flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, Nespresso machines, and a selection of glassware. Many rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows. Bathrooms are generally a good size with both a tub and a standing shower.

4. Dining Experience

The InterContinental Singapore provides a diverse and high-quality dining experience.

• Restaurants: The hotel features three on-site restaurants specializing in Japanese (Chikuyotei), Cantonese (Man Fu Yuan), and Western cuisines (Luce by Davide Giacomelli). Man Fu Yuan, in particular, was recognized in the 2023 Michelin Guide. Luce by Davide Giacomelli is noted for its authentic Italian cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is impressively large, catering to an international clientele with a wide selection of hot and continental options, as well as curries, pho, and noodles. However, some guests have felt the buffet was more "Spartan" than expected, and breakfast is not always included in standard rates.
• Lobby Lounge & Afternoon Tea: The Lobby Lounge is a popular spot for an English-style afternoon tea with local twists, featuring unique savory and sweet treats like chili lobster sandwiches and gold-dusted Ondeh Ondeh.
• Club InterContinental: Guests with Club access enjoy à la carte breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails with hors d'oeuvres in the exclusive Club Lounge.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at InterContinental Singapore are consistently lauded for their friendliness, attentiveness, and professionalism.

• Guests have shared experiences of staff going above and beyond, such as assisting with complex issues like rectifying wrong crediting of loyalty nights or offering room upgrades due to minor inconveniences.
• The Club InterContinental Concierge team provides personalized arrival and check-in/out services.
• While some interactions with the general concierge have been described as less helpful, the staff at the Lobby Lounge are consistently noted for their kindness. Thoughtful touches like clothes folding and extra coffee pods during turndown service are also appreciated.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a significant advantage.

• Neighborhood: Situated in the vibrant Bugis and Bras Basah artistic districts, it offers a cultural experience. It is directly connected to the popular Bugis Junction shopping complex and Bugis MRT station, providing excellent accessibility.
• Attractions: Many historical enclaves and attractions are within easy walking distance, including Arab Street, Kampong Glam, Little India, and the impressive Sultan Mosque.
• Transport: The direct access to the MRT station makes it incredibly convenient for exploring other parts of Singapore.

7. Value & Pricing

The InterContinental Singapore is considered a very good hotel in an expensive city, with pricing reflecting its luxury status.

• Typical cash prices for a King Classic high floor room are around $325 per night. For IHG Rewards members, award nights are typically around 55,000 points per night, which is often considered good value, especially with benefits like a fourth award night free with certain credit cards.
• While some might find the cash price a bit high compared to other luxury options nearby, the overall experience, especially with club access and the quality of service, often justifies the cost for many guests. However, some packages may not include breakfast, which can affect perceived value.

8. Common Complaints

While generally positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Pool Accessibility & Aesthetics: The pool area, though lovely, has been noted as not being accessible for all guests. Some also find its aesthetic to be dated, citing floor and roof tiles as a reason. The pool is also considered relatively small for serious swimming and lacks significant privacy due to size constraints.
• Dated Furniture in some Rooms: While rooms are well-maintained, some guests have mentioned that certain furniture, particularly couches in older reviews, appeared dated.
• Breakfast Buffet Variety: A few guests have expressed a feeling that the breakfast buffet was more "Spartan" than expected for a hotel of this caliber.
• Staffing at Reception: Occasional reports of front-of-house staff being short-staffed at reception have led to delays during check-in or when seeking assistance.
• Lack of On-site Spa: Despite its extensive amenities, the absence of an on-site spa is noted as a missing common luxury hotel amenity.

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