FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - IC Singapore Master Thread [merged] - after Jan 01, 2010 (leaving IHG January 2026)

Apr 10, 2024 | 5:52 am

#1219

The-Aviator

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: Sydney

Programs: IHG Platinum Ambassador, Qantas Silver, Virgin Australia Platinum

Posts: 304

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
1 King Corner City View, upgraded to 1 King Junior Suite (one-category upgrade, noted in a preferences email from the hotel a few days before the stay but not visible in the IHG app until after check-in)

How are the rooms?
Large, clean and tastefully decorated. I'm not sure when the last renovation was done (certainly no changes since my last visit which was in 2019) but it still looks modern and in good condition so wouldn't say there is a need for a refresh yet. There was plenty of complimentary bottled water and the two TVs had a good variety of channels as well as Chromecast. Bathroom had separate shower and bath and was well-stocked with Byredo amenities.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A, didn't have access.

What was good and what was bad?
The Good

Great location - above Bugis Junction and the Bugis MRT station (you can access both directly from the hotel, completely indoors and air-conditioned), which is on both the East-West (Green) and Downtown (Blue) lines. The East-West line makes it super easy to get to the airport and the fare is a mere $2, for a solo traveller this is a no-brainer.
Welcome amenity waiting in my room on the second day of a pandan pound cake and personalised card.
Housekeeping was really good throughout the stay with both morning and evening turndown service provided, they were always prompt and never got in the way.
Large, well-equipped gym as well as outdoor pool.

The Bad (none are particularly bad, but have noted for review purposes)

They are having a laugh with the supplement for Club InterContinental access - received an email a few days out from my stay offering this for SGD $280++/night. May as well book a Club IC room at this rate!
Odd / confusing communication around the Ambassador 4pm late check-out - in responding to the pre-arrival email mentioned above I said I would like to lock in the 4pm check-out given my evening flight home to Sydney and received a somewhat concerning response that it would be subject to availability. However, when checking in the 4pm check-out was proactively offered and locked in without any fuss.
For the Ambassador F&B credit it is SGD $27nett, however the welcome letter stated it could only be used at LUCE, Man Fu Yuan and The Lobby Lounge, specifically excluding in-room dining, breakfast, minibar or any of the other hotel restaurants. Haven't seen this sort of restriction before and hopefully not something we will see more of. That said, I used the voucher towards drinks at the Lobby Bar which ended up costing about $10 more than the value of the voucher and at check-out they said they would just comp the full bill, which was nice.
Prior to arrival they asked for my room preferences and I reiterated the preferences saved on my profile, i.e. high floor and away from the elevator. Didn't get either of these, it was a low floor and the second room down the hall from the elevators! Not a problem but I wondered why they bothered to ask!
If there was one disappointment with the room it would have to be the poor quality single-ply tissues and toilet paper provided, certainly wasn't in keeping with the higher quality of everything else in the room.
Welcome drink amenity was a bit stingy, only received 1 x drink voucher valid for a drink from a limited list in the Lobby Lounge. Typically in Asia and Australia I have been given 2 x vouchers even when travelling solo and in some cases a drink + snack voucher.
The breakfast buffet is now served in "The Breakfast Room" and was essentially the same as I remembered from 2019, i.e. has a lot of variety but ultimately nothing special. I only had breakfast on one morning and pre-booked it at a cost of $38++, a $10 discount compared to the walk-up price. In a city with as many good dining choices as Singapore I would suggest skipping the hotel breakfast unless you have it included in your package.
Would have been nice to have got some Easter chocolates for the turndown on Easter Sunday but alas no such luck

Value for $ or IHG One Rewards Points? Would you return?
Paid SGD $436/night (including taxes and service charge) for four nights over the Easter weekend, which I would say is fair in comparison to similar hotels in Singapore. Have stayed at about half a dozen properties in Singapore over the years and would have to say ICS has become my favourite. Will certainly be back.

Photos in the spoilers below!

Spoiler

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