Hotel Review: InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay (Club Riverview Studio King)
The InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is one of the newest hotels in Singapore as it was one of the latest hotels to open in 2017 (which was a great year in Singapore for all of us hotel-lovers). Not to be confused with the InterContinental Singapore in Bugis, the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is located in a quieter and somewhat residential area of Singapore but with all that being said, it still minutes away from the city. I was invited by the property to come check it out and unlike the InterContinental hotels that most travellers are familiar with, the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is comparatively smaller but the quality of products make up in height for what it lacks in length.
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The moment I stepped out of the car at the entrance of the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, it felt very much like returning home - there is no grand lobby so to speak but instead, you walk through a small sliding door before making your way up to Level 4 where the check-in area is - this is also where you will find the Quayside Lounge, the Swimming Pool as well as the Club InterContinental Lounge.
I stayed in a Club Riverview Studio King that measures only 23sqm in size (yes, you have read that right) and truth to be told, I was initially very skeptical about how the room would look and feel like. Unlike Tokyo where rooms and suites are typically expected to be fairly small (unless you are staying in an ultra-luxurious property like the HOSHINOYA Tokyo and Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills), the same cannot be said for Singapore.
As you would expect, the Club Riverview Studio King room at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay has everything you need (despite being so small). What stands out for me more however is how luxuriously everything is furnished and finished - seriously, there is leather everywhere! While the studio layout makes it easy for you to get around, I did find the gap between the bed and the minibar to be slightly small.
The king-size bed here in the Club Riverview Studio King is also a dream to sleep in - it comes with seven pillows so there is no need to fight (well, odd numbers are always tricky). The room also comes with one of those handy phones which come with unlimited 4G data as well as calls to selected countries. Since I was here on a staycation and I had data on my own mobile phone, these handy phones do not add much value to me but I would imagine it to be slightly useful for first time visitors to the country. If you are looking for a Tourist SIM Card in Singapore, I highly recommend the StarHub Happy Prepaid SIM Card.
All of the room lights can be controlled from the bed via a panel located on the side - there is also a universal power outlet here for you to charge your laptop or devices if you prefer to use them in bed. The ability to control both the day and night blinds with the touch of a button is also a nice touch.
Even though the room does not come with a proper work desk, there is a small work area which is located next to the floor-to-ceiling windows. I really like this spot since there is plenty of daylight and I like how versatile this space is. With all that being said, the table is definitely on the smaller side (especially when you have a bunch of welcome amenities on it) and the highly reflective surface is also a fingerprint-magnet which really affects me since I found myself wiping it down constantly. There is also a massive TV here in the room which you can connect your devices to fairly easily - I managed to AirPlay content from my MacBook Pro to the TV effortlessly but the streaming speed was slightly dreadful so I decided to watch Netflix on my laptop instead.
While there are multiple universal power outlets located throughout the room, I did notice that the Club RIverview Studio King that I stayed in did not come with any USB charging ports. I typically travel with a USB charging hub but if you do not have one, it is worth noting that you should probably get one or else you may have to charge your mobile gadgets via your laptop which may take longer than usual.
The Club Riverview Studio King that I stayed in came with a view of the Singapore River as well as the famous skyline in a distance. The paths along the river are great if you would like to enjoy an evening or early morning run around the area. There are also plenty of restaurants and eateries that are located fairly close by (that you can walk to) so you will never have to worry about running out of things to eat during your stay (the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay has a number of great restaurants too!).
The minibar area in the bedrooms here at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is probably one of the most impressive ones that I have seen in Singapore. All rooms come with a Nespresso machine and complimentary coffee capsules are provided - they are also replenished in the evening during turndown and in the morning. I also really liked that the property has selected Monogram teabags (which can also be found in the Club InterContinental) as these are my new favourites! I really like the Milky Oolong flavour and even though they cannot be found in the rooms, they are available in the Club InterContinental so make sure you try that if you book a room with club access.
The mini-fridge is also fully stocked with beverages as well as premixes that you can use for a cocktail - these are chargeable (unless you hold Royal Ambassador status). While I do like these refrigerator drawers, I have found them hard to stock up with beverages of your own. Still, they are nowhere near as annoying as the automatic minibars that some hotels have in place (yes, those that actually charge you if it detects a weight difference in specific placeholders).
There is a decent selection of premium spirits and snacks here in the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay. In fact, there is even a cocktail shaker and proper glassware that is ideal for your beverage of choice - you do not see martini glasses often in a guestroom!
During my stay, I also learnt that Rafael who was previously the Pacific Club Manager at the Pan Pacific Singapore is now the Director of Club InterContinental at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay. Throughout my numerous hotel stays in Singapore, Rafael is one of the rare few club managers who have managed to leave a positive and lasting impression.
As you would imagine, there is no bathtub here in the Club Riverview Studio King (the suites do come with a bathtub though!) but the bathroom is actually quite pretty. I really like the privacy glass in the shower area which means you do not actually have to close the partition for privacy (in any case, why are you sharing a room with someone you do not know well?!). With that being said, you can see through the glass if you try hard enough but it should give you enough privacy if you are not staying with a monster.
Consistent to brand standards, bath amenities in all the guest rooms as well as Club InterContinental rooms are provided by Agraria. At the time of writing, bath amenities in the suites here at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay are of a different brand. In fact, if you were to check out LoyaltyLobby's video tour of the Quayside Suite, there is even a small amenity kit (which looks pretty nifty!) that you may choose to bring back.
Hidden behind a sliding door next to the open closet is the toilet and the full-length mirror is a nice touch for making sure your outfit works before heading out. You will find two plush bathrobes in the room and I definitely recommend lounging around in them because they are so comfortable! I was also tempted to take the bathroom slippers home as they are incredibly comfortable (unlike the usual ones that you find at other hotels).
The Club InterContinental is perhaps the crown jewel of the property so if you are staying here, make sure you book yourself in to a club room or club suite! In fact, during my stay, I realised that Rafael (who was previously at the Pan Pacific Singapore) is now the Club Manager of this property. I have gotten to know Rafael over countless stays at the previous property and he is one of the best Club Managers in Singapore that I know so I am thrilled that the property has a capable person like him to look after some of the hotel's most important guests.
The Club InterContinental Lounge is open 24/7 and there are not many executive lounges in Singapore that have this same privilege - those that are opened are typically unmanned during the wee hours of the morning as well. Guests with access to the Club InterContinental Lounge will also get to enjoy complimentary Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and Evening Cocktails here:
- Breakfast: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Afternoon Tea: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Evening Cocktails: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Additionally, you will also get to enjoy the following privileges as part of your Club InterContinental benefits:
- Two complimentary garment pressing upon arrival, 25% off subsequent laundry
- Reserve The Study for up to 1 hour per stay (subject to availability)
- Priority reservations for you at Publico Deli, Ristorante or Marcello
- Complimentary local calls
If you love an evening tipple or two, the Club InterContinental Lounge at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is not the be missed. I did not manage to check out the Afternoon Tea experience during my stay since I already had plans for lunch but I was glad I made time for the evening cocktails and canapes that run from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Not only were wines (sparkling, red and white) and a selection of spirits served, eligible guests are also able to select from a cocktail menu (the covers are leather-bound as you would expect). I opted for both a negroni and an espresso martini - they were both delicious!
Club InterContinental guests can also help themselves to an array of light bites during the evening cocktail hour or even order a set of canapes (which are refillable) from one of the friendly lounge staff. For some reason, it took over 20 minutes for it to be delivered to my table and I actually got there early (so the lounge was not actually crowded) but every component of the plate was delicious (so I guess it was worth the wait!).
Guests staying here at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay with Club InterContinental privileges may choose to enjoy a more extensive breakfast spread at Publico Deli or enjoy a more conservative one in the Club InterContinental Lounge. I do not like dealing with crowd and therefore the thought of having a quiet and peaceful breakfast over a venue which is comparatively more busy, appealed to me immediately. I opted for an alfresco table even though I usually avoid the heat but it looked so beautiful outside.
Apart from the breakfast buffet which is available in the Club InterContinental Lounge, guests are also able to select from a rather decent a la carte menu which comes with a number of signature dishes, toast (gluten-free bread!) and eggs done to your liking. I ordered the Sous Vide Eggs Benedict (one of the signature dishes on the menu) and I was not disappointed - I would have ordered a double portion if I knew it came with just one poached egg though!
Another signature item on the a la carte menu is the Pancakes & Berries which again was fluffy and delicious. Unlike the usual 'instant pancake' that you would typically associate with hotel breakfasts, this one tasted (and looked) like it came out of a proper restaurant. I am not a fan of sweet desserts but I definitely polished this one up.
The InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is a breath of fresh air in the hotel industry and even though the smaller rooms (as well as suites) will definitely raise eyebrows amongst luxury travellers as InterContinental Ambassador members, the quality of product (both physically and the service) makes up for the lack of space. The rooms are beautifully and luxuriously furnished without being extravagant but more importantly that Club InterContinental Lounge experience ranks amongst one of the best in Singapore in my opinion. My advice to brand loyalists is this: Come to this property with an open mind and appreciate the thought that have been placed into every single component of the hotel. For the best experience, I highly recommend getting a room or suite with Club InterContinental access. If you are traveling with children, you probably should not book anything lower than a suite since there might not be sufficient living space. Once you look past the smaller room size, the property is truly a gem in the Robertson Quay neighbourhood and it is a great place for travellers looking for a luxurious but alternative experience.
The Shutterwhale stayed as a guest of the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay.
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
1 Nanson Rd, Singapore 238909
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The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara offers an excellent Club Millésime experience with comfortable rooms and well-maintained facilities, catering to both business and leisure travelers. The newly-opened Pavilion Damansara Heights Mall adds a variety of dining and entertainment options nearby, perfect for those who prefer not to venture too far from the hotel.