The Katong neighbourhood in Singapore is known for its rich peranakan cultural heritage, which blends Chinese and Malay influences. Located in this prime area, the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, part of the IHG Hotel & Resorts portfolio, seeks to pay tribute to the local culture by offering its guests the best peranakan tradition has to offer. From interior design to culinary offerings, this hotel blends traditional influences with contemporary sophistication, offering guests a staying experience like no other. Here are the hotel’s design and culinary highlights.
The Hotel’s Design: Traditional Influences, Reimagined
The 131-room hotel is a modern multi-storey building which stands on what used to be the Joo Chiat police station in 1928. Capitalising on this unique location, the hotel’s design consultancy team from the renowned Ong & Ong and eco.id Architects and Design Consultancy, distinguished by their successful fusion of traditional and modern elements.
Guests could already feel this “old meets new” vibe by the time they walked into the hotel’s premises. From the outside, the hotel’s facade looks very contemporary and industrial. However, when they enter the lobby, guests will be greeted by an intricate peranakan ceramic wall collage, along with art murals which pay nostalgic homage to the neighbourhood’s communal lifestyle in the early 1980s and 1990s.
Then, when they enter the guest room at the hotel, they will still see these murals, along with small tables, carpets, bolsters and sofa cushions featuring the bright colours typical of peranakan ceramic tiles. These features make the guest rooms look more vibrant and lively. At the same time, the room layouts are meticulously designed to maximise space and comfort, with separate living, sleeping and bath areas.
The bathrooms also feature these colourful elements, equipped with aromatherapeutic toiletries from Biology Smart Skincare to enhance guests’ wellness.
“The hotel is more than just a luxurious abode for travellers; it is a gateway to the soul of the Katong / Joo Chiat district. Our recent accolades are a resounding affirmation of our unwavering commitment to not only provide opulent comfort but also to offer a deep, enriching dive into the cultural tapestry of this historic area,” said hotel general manager Adel Aramouni. “Each element of our hotel, from the intricately designed guest rooms to the immersive local experiences, is carefully curated to ensure that our guests are not merely visitors but active participants in a journey of cultural discovery and luxurious indulgence.”
The Hotel’s Dining Outlets: Where East meets West
The hotel also ensures it gives its guests a distinctive dining experience so they could have a memorable stay. Its all-day dining restaurant Baba Chews, for instance, presents modern Asian cuisine imbued with Western food traditions.
Highlights include Angus Beef Cubes (wok stir fry oriental-style, black pepper, garlic crisp, and spring onion), Beef Cheek Rendang (18-hour braised prime beef cheek marinated in a rich rendang gravy and served with Malaccan sugar, turmeric, blue pea jasmine rice, pickles, and prawn crackers) and Assam Curry Seabass (okra, tomatoes, eggplant, tofu puffs, blue pea jasmine rice, pickles, and prawn crackers). Discover the restaurant’s menu here.
The hotel’s pavilion area, meanwhile, offers a delightful Heritage High Tea experience. This programme is ideal for your afternoon social gatherings, or when you seek to bounce back from your afternoon slump during a work break. The programme is priced at $58++ for two and the tea set begins with a Sapphire Rendezvous mocktail.
Find an array of savoury and sweet treats such as Kueh Pie Tee, Smoked Salmon Sandwiches, Crab with Ikura Sandwiches, along with an assortment of Peranakan kuehs. Pair the feast with a selection of TWG Teas and premium Bacha coffees while admiring the rotating display of visual arts created by local artists.