InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has expanded the South East Asian footprint of its boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, with the opening of Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong.
Hotel Indigo is the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand and no two hotels under the brand around the world are alike. Each hotel is designed to reflect the local culture, character and history of its neighbourhood through its design, food & beverage, amenities and services.
Located in the eastern region of Singapore and a 15-minute drive from Changi Airport and Central Business District, the 131-room Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong integrates a modern multi-storey building with the architecturally significant heritage building – the former Joo Chiat Police Station, constructed in 1928 and characteristic of government buildings of the time to serve the needs of the surrounding Katong community.
Incorporating the colourful charm of the surrounding neighbourhood into its architecture and design, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong features design elements inspired by the rich and vibrant culture of the Peranakans (Straits-born Chinese). This includes a feature wall at the hotel’s reception comprising a collage of intricate Peranakan ceramic patterns and colourful pop-art renditions of water jars, art murals in each room that depict the laidback, communal lifestyle of the neighbourhood, as well as a pop-up ‘mama stall’ reminiscent of small convenience stalls often located in housing estates of the 1960s, displaying local artisans’ crafts in the hotel’s pavilion.
Adel Aramouni, General Manager, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong said: “The Joo Chiat neighbourhood in Katong is well-loved for its diverse and fascinating mix of architecture, history, culture, and established Peranakan and Eurasian communities. As Singapore’s first Heritage Town, this part of Singapore has long been an integral part of the nation’s heritage and is now home to Singapore’s first Hotel Indigo. Apart from providing our guests with a space to relax and recharge, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong gives our guests the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in the rustic charm of the Katong district, leaving them feeling inspired, refreshed, and connected to the neighbourhood around them.”
Leanne Harwood, VP Operations, IHG, South East Asia and Korea commented: “There is a rising wave of travellers seeking differentiated travel and an increasing demand for hotels that offer authentic and refreshingly local experiences, especially amongst seasoned and savvy travellers. Singapore has seen a steady increase in boutique hotels that aim to meet this demand for experiential travel and the global boutique hotel industry as a whole now comprises about five percent of the market. We’ve seen success on the back of the launch of the brand in Thailand last year and are confident Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong will be a popular choice amongst travellers to Singapore.”
The meticulously designed 30-square metre guest rooms mirror the structure and flow of a condensed Peranakan home, taking guests from the living room to the bedroom through to the spa-inspired bathroom which features aromatherapeutic toiletries. Guests can also utilise a 24-hour Fitness Centre with Technogym equipment or take a relaxing dip in the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool while enjoying the spectacular view of the cultural enclave of Katong.
This philosophy of bringing the local neighbourhood to life in the property extends to the hotel’s food and beverage offering. Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong’s all-day dining restaurant, *Baba Chews Bar and Eatery, serves authentic modern and traditional cuisine from the Straits of Malacca, as well as a delectable selection of Western favourites. It also offers locally-inspired food such as Ayam Buah Keluak and Foie Gras Tau Kwa Pau, coffee from beans roasted by local specialty coffee roasters Common Man Coffee Roasters, tea from TWG Tea, and innovative local cocktails.
Designed by renowned architects Ong & Ong and multi-disciplinary architectural practice eco.id Architects and Design Consultancy, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong thoughtfully incorporates highlights of the Katong neighbourhood story into the hotel’s creative design.
