Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong
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EM has checked into ... Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong
Haven't heard of Hotel Indigo? Well I think you should now! After experiencing the Singapore hotel and immersing into Hotel Indigo for the very first time, I have fallen in love with the brand, and trust me, I will be adding the rest of its hotels around the world into my bucket list.
“Hotel Indigo is the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand and no two hotels under the are alike ... Each hotel is designed to reflect the local culture, character and history of its neighbourhood ...”
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is fairly new to the market with just around two years old and according to its history, it was a former Joo Chiat Police Station (where the on-site restaurant Baba Chews is). The hotel is extremely vintage yet modern, charming and colourful. Instantly it brings a smile to every guest's face and allow a guest to indulge and immerse into a strong sense of Peranakan culture (straits-born Chinese), a staple community for both Malaysia and Singapore.
“Where urban charm intersects with colourful Peranakan tradition.”
Website
I love how their website is kept simple but seeks to draw attention to their images, especially with the use of a large hero image as well as large image carousel in the middle of the page, a very smart strategy. Hotel description is kept to a minimal but straight-forward to convey powerful story about the hotel. Also, I love how they highlight their on-site offers/activities to encourage guests to participate and make their stay even more meaningful.
Overall, my first impression of the hotel is already positive and the website gives off a very cute yet traditional vibe.
This is the first time I have seen a hotel implementing hotel reviews by guests as well as user-generated content as '#FanFriday'. I think this is brilliant and gives a personality to the hotel Facebook page. Also the use of knowledge into the neighbourhood and Peranakan cultural insights are certainly well received and I love it! Just shows that the hotel has many stories to tell and everyone loves stories.
I love how they have kept the same filter for their posts to give off a consistent look and feel. It portrays vintage yet vibrant and definitely appealing to female demographics. Well done and you have earned my 'follow' and 'like'!
Instantly feel refreshed seeing the huge greenery display at their entrance
Love the feature wall consisting of Peranakan ceramic patterns and even the reception desk replicates the vintage cabinets
Stacks of the ceramic pots in front of the lifts, what an extraordinary art piece!
Arrival
Since this is a reasonably small boutique hotel (131 rooms), it is natural to have a small lobby however forces you to focus your attention to many of the details displayed in the lobby. For example the vintage cabinet design at the reception desk, the fantastic feature wall as well as the ceramic pots in front of the lifts, even the staffs are dressed in traditional outfit! Leaving you in awe and start getting curious about Peranakan culture. What a great start to my staycation and can't wait to see what the rooms are like.
Love the pink lanterns at the side of the lifts - do you know that it will light up to indicate that the lift has arrived? How cute!
Upon entering the room, the toilet is just right beside the door entrance. The wall tiles brings me back to childhood when I grew up in Malaysia. Very nostalgic indeed!
Voila! This is the magnificent room, filled with much colours and cultural significance! More details will be outlined below
Simply in awe of the wall design, I really love it! Just brings back to my early childhood days whereby I spent my weekends at the local kopitiam (coffee house/old-school cafe). The hotel has another design which is the durian one, great for durian lovers!
Couldn't believe they had these in the room too! I LOL'ed when I saw this as this is so old-school! My family still wears this at their kitchen and bathroom but I used to wear these when I was a kid just to give my legs a great workout and pretend that I was wearing high heels.
It's the afternoon tea break time! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a jar of white rabbits and also the rooster designed cup, and again brought me back to my childhood days of snacking at white rabbits. I still have the rooster designed cups and bowls at my house today! Very funny!
Room
I stayed at the Premier Room with the Insta-famous and Insta-worthy bathtub (Room #1521 to be specific. True to its brand concept, the room is stunning and left me breathless. It portrays a strong Peranakan colours with the tiles in the toilet, the vintage cabinet design for the mini bar, the carrot board (a traditional Malaysian/Singaporean game) as a coffee table and the use of batik design on fabric such as the couch, pillows and ottoman. The best of all, I was instantly drawn to the wall design of a kopitiam scene. It is just a WOW factor!
I love the bathtub and the details of the vanity area, worth the extra top up to upgrade and treat myself to one of the best staycation ever. I can just stay here all day all night long and will worth the pruney-ness of my skin. Ok maybe not LOL. But you get what I mean haha
Bathroom
They say that it is not a staycation until there is a bathtub. And my oh my, this hotel's exclusive bathtub is something that you really need to treasure and respect. It looks like a modern piece of art representing a traditional clay jar or bowl with dragon imprints. Makes you feel like you are an emperor or empress and soaking in with the views of the neighbourhood. The other significant Peranakan touch that the hotel has done is the vanity area whereby they used the old-school Singer sewing machine legs and classic enamel basin bowl. The Singer sewing machine legs again will bring a smile to every Malaysian or Singaporean's face as we reminisce upon our childhood memory with our grandparents. I used to play with the sewing machine by stepping on the paddle and making it like a race until my grandparents will whack me to stop.
Time to explore the neighbourhood of Katong
But first, gotta drop by Birds of Paradise for some unique ice cream - highly recommended by Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. I tried the white chrysanthemum flavour and would go back for more! The waffle cones are freshly made too
The Insta-worthy Joo Chiat Road - Conserved Peranakan shophouses that have been around since the early 1900s
Neighbourhood
Unfortunately I only had limited time during my stay with Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, so I could only explore a few places including the famous Joo Chiat Road, which is a must to take some instal-worthy shots. Cool down with a special sweet treat at Birds of Paradise, it is at a higher price point but it is so worth it with their house made waffle cones.
Lounge and swim
Having the pool all by myself is the best!
Rooftop Pool
One of the hotel's main attraction is its rooftop pool, overlooking the local neighbourhood. The rooftop pool is equipped with sound system and plays upbeat music, which makes you feel like you are at a rooftop party but not over the top. And it is open until 10pm so the night time scenery must be stunning too!
Another lounge area before entering the restaurant
Ready for the first meal of the day at Baba Chews
Pots of fresh herbs are available, what a great idea!
Chicken congee, half-boiled eggs and kaya toast for my breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast here is something very unique to Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. Yes you have guessed it right, they serve a variety of local breakfast as well as Western style breakfast if you don't fancy any of the local breakfast. It is on a la carte basis but they do have a continental spread of breakfast items at the end of the restaurant, displaying juices, dim sums, toast, fruit slices, cheeses and more. It is not the classic buffet breakfast that you will find at hotels but it is still extraordinary to serve something local that represents the local culture, aligning to the brand concept.
Verdict
Overall, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is one of the best boutique hotels that I have ever experienced. It is charming, fun and most certainly nostalgic. The hotel has done a splendid job in representing the Peranakan culture yet incorporating modern look and feel.
There is nothing that I can find fault in this hotel except that I couldn't stay longer which was such a shame and regret. Will stay longer next time and explore the neighbourhood in more detailed. But if you need a quick weekend staycation, this hotel will be an excellent choice with lots of interesting facts and definitely will surprise you with a WOW factor. I would highly recommended for anyone regardless whether you are local or not to experience Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. A must stay when you are in Singapore.
Till next time, take care and stay inspired.
xoxo EM
