InterContinental Singapore
There are two InterContinental hotels in Singapore, both located in the city center. One is InterContinental Singapore, situated in Bugis, and the other is InterContinental Robertson Quay near Clarke Quay. Although the latter is newer and slightly cheaper, it’s farther from the MRT station. Since convenience was my priority, I chose InterContinental Singapore. I have to say that despite its long history, the hotel underwent renovation in 2016, so it feels remarkably new—far exceeding my expectations, even rivaling Hotel Indigo.
The Victorian-style architecture also gives it a distinctive charm.
The room is quite spacious. Though the style leans traditional, everything actually feels very new. The TV is large with full HD channels, and all wall outlets come equipped with USB ports.
The corridors have also been completely renovated, featuring an all-cream-white color scheme~~~
The Lobby Lounge is truly grand, with soaring ceilings and an air of classical elegance. In the evenings, there’s live singing; the performer on the night I visited had a wonderful voice.
The gym and swimming pool are on the 4th floor. The pool is located on the terrace and isn’t very large.
Bugis+ and Bugis Junction seen from the window
The hotel’s location is fairly convenient. Although it’s connected to the MRT via Bugis Junction, due to the entrance orientation, it actually takes about five minutes to walk to the station—not as close as it appears on the map—and it’s easy to get lost inside Bugis Junction. Nearby dining and shopping options are plentiful, with Bugis+ across the street being slightly more upscale.
Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown is known locally as “Niúchēshuǐ” (literally “Bullock Cart Water”). The name originates from a time before piped water, when bullock carts were commonly used to transport water through the area, hence the nickname for Chinatown. Honestly, coming from China myself, I had little interest in visiting Chinatown—it seemed like just another crowded tourist spot, not much different from similar attractions back home…
I originally came here mainly to try Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. On the way, I passed through Chinatown, but unfortunately, the queue at Tian Tian was far too long, so I gave up and opted for another restaurant instead… Along the way, I took some photos of Chinatown’s architecture.
Photos taken with SONY A5100 + 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6, post-processed in Lightroom.
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