A well-made suit in Robertson Quay

After a busy week in an extremely busy city, my club deluxe king room at the Intercontinental Hotel Robertson Quay in Singapore was an oasis of calm and serenity. It’s spacious and sleek, and the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows are not your everyday Singapore skyline.

I’ve stayed in many luxury hotels in the Lion City and most of them do have that same amazing Singapore view. No matter which angle you’re looking at, it’s an impressive jumble of skyscrapers and construction alongside Hindu temples and colonial shophouses. And if you’re lucky, you’ll have some water below you as well.

ROOM WITH A DIFFERENT VIEW

I chose this hotel based on its high ratings especially from business travelers. It was also not in the usual area. In fact, until I stayed here, I’d never heard of Robertson Quay. However, I liked what I saw when I finally got to my corner room. I had a river on one side and signs of real life in nice apartment buildings on the other.

This is certainly not one’s idea of Crazy Rich Asian Singapore. And this isn’t a bad thing either. It was rather nice to be away from all the glitz, glamour, endless shopping malls and brand name stores, and yet to be only ten minutes away from all these by taxi.

This is distance and access at the same time. I can confirm that many places worth seeing or being seen in, including Singapore’s top private club, are just an elevator ride down and then a few steps away.

Some of the most iconic upscale leisure areas like Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, too, are even actually walking distance. I booked a private walking tour with the hotel concierge one morning and I ended up buying dried tea balls and eating the ubiquitous popiah in a hawker market in under an hour — all on foot from the hotel. But I’ll save that for another story.

THE PERFECT BUSINESS TRIP HOTEL ROOM

In other words, this room is the perfect antidote to the adrenalin-fueled excitement of Singapore. For busy business travelers, it’s also a tonic for stress. There’s nothing better after a long day than a lobby and lounge with that feel of exclusivity.

From a user viewpoint, the room gets high marks from me. For one thing, the bathroom is palatial by Singapore standards and filled with so much natural light. This is actually much more appreciated by business travelers than one might think, because this tribe calls hotels “home.” And it has a view.

You’ll be surprised at how few hotel rooms actually have bathrooms with one, and it’s understandable. A view is prime real estate in this city and most hotel and apartment developers reserve it for the living room or the master bedroom. But here at the Intercontinental Hotel Robertson Quay, I had a lovely view from the bathtub and the shower cubicle.

EVERYTHING’S IN PLACE

Then there’s the interior design. Most Singapore luxury hotels tend to go Colonial heritage style or to favor a light contemporary design as we are on an island that’s on party mode 24/7. However, the Intercontinental Robertson Quay is all about dark neutrals, reminding me of a well-tailored gentleman’s suit.

Nothing is either overdone or underdone, and there is not one unnecessary item in the decor. And yet, you have absolutely everything you need including all the great toys like flatscreen TVs with cable access and a Bose sound bar. And a very interesting guide book to Singapore. Nice touch with than one.

Not every hotel can say that they have bucked the trend and done so perfectly. However this one certainly can.

WHAT WE LOVED

The overall sophisticated ambience is a soothing antidote to the general hectic vibe of Singapore.
In a city full of tourists, this is a great hotel for business travelers.
It’s a short walk from driveway to hotel room door, and you’re unlikely to have to fight your way through crowds getting there.
Wonderful assortment of restaurants and cafes in this neighborhood, and most of it are local hangouts so you get a feel of the real Singapore.
The Club Intercontinental business lounge is a great work and chill place because it has an indoor area and also an outdoor area. So you can meet your Singapore contact over a drink inside, and then answer emails on the terrace outside for a bit of a holiday vibe.
In case you’re in the mood to get out of visitor mode, just head down to the Publico restaurant, the hotel’s contemporary Italian restaurant. It’s always teeming with locals here for the pizza. Make sure to book ahead, though, just like the locals.