Hotel Review: Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong (Premier View Room with Bathtub)

When the Hotel Indigo Bangkok first opened in 2015, I went down to check out the Chaiyapruek Executive Room - this was also my first experience with the Hotel Indigo brand by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). While I have stayed at many IHG properties in Singapore on multiple occasions (usually to complete Accelerate challenges), I have not actually stayed over at the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. Located along East Coast Road and right next to the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong (which is Singapore's cheapest IHG-branded property), the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is the second Hotel Indigo property in South East Asia. 

Click HERE to check out the room rates at Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong!

Hotel Lobby
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Located in a heritage-rich area that is also a popular haunt amongst local foodies, the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is perfect for travellers looking for an alternative accommodation option that is away from the usual Orchard and Marina Bay area. For us locals, the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is also a great staycation spot since it is the perfect base for checking out famous eateries and restaurants like Chin Mee Chin Confectionery and the Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice at Katong Shopping Centre. Checking in to the property was a breeze and I was even offered some iced latte as a welcome drink (how do you say no to caffeine?!). 

Bedroom
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The room that I stayed in over the weekend was the crème de la crème of the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong - the Premier View Room with Bathtub. There are only 12 of such rooms here and they are the only rooms with a bathtub - these are extremely popular so make sure you book them ahead of time to avoid any disappointments. There Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong has three main room types - Deluxe, Premier View and Premier View with Bathtub - and they all have a similar size with the same room configuration with small differences (the biggest being the bathtub, of course). 

Bedroom and Living Area
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The Premier View rooms here at Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong differs from the lead-in Deluxe room category by offering an impressive view of the low-rise Katong area, an in-room Nespresso machine, as well as a nightly turndown service. The Premier View with Bathtub rooms (priced usually at S$50++ to S$60++ more than the Deluxe room each night) offer a deep-soaking tub as well as a 3:00PM late check-out regardless of your IHG Rewards Club status level. One of the most iconic aspects of the rooms' design have got to be the black-and-white mural design - it showcases a scene at a coffee shop where people are enjoying a local breakfast. The other thing you will definitely notice is the carrom board which also doubles as a work desk. 

Half Bathroom
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The bathrooms here in the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong are slightly odd - the rooms all come with two half bathrooms. The half bathroom closest to the door of your room comes only with a toilet and a sink while the one located in the deeper end comes only with a shower and sink (and tub if you chose the right room type). While it is not uncommon to find half bathrooms in bigger suites, this is definitely my first time encountering two half bathrooms in one room.

Bathtub
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

If you are here on a staycation and you intend to spend time in the room for most parts of the stay, I would highly recommend you to get the Premier View Room with Bathtub since it comes with this beautiful tub that fits two adults easily - just remember to draw the curtains unless you want to take a risk. Besides, if you are here on a staycation, you are going to be thankful for that 3:00PM late check-out!  

View from Bathroom
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Do note that some of the lead-in rooms here at Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong come with a less-than-desirable view since it faces the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong next door - if you want to be sure of a view that you would want to look out to, opt for a Premier View room at least! Since my room was located on quite a high floor, I had a pretty good view of the surrounding Katong area from the comfort of my tub (where I possibly spent most of my afternoon in). 

Bath Amenities - Biology
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Bath amenities are provided by Biology which is natural range of skincare and haircare products from Australia. Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is actually fairly generous with the number of bath amenities they provide - not only will you receive two packets of bath soaks and a set of shampoo, body wash and conditioner, you will also find another larger set of amenities in the shower area (more on this later!). 

Half Bathroom
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Like most international chain hotels, complimentary drinking water is provided in the room but tap water in Singapore is potable anyway. I do like the glow of light in the mirror and as you can see the design of the bathroom is quite unique - the tiles are truly beautiful and representative of the traditional Peranakan tiles. 

Shower
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

It is also easy to miss the shower area at first glance since it is tucked away behind the sink - considering how the room is only 30sqm, I dare say this is one of the hotels with the best layouts since it truly maximises the use of space. Similar to the new Business Rooms at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport (also rated as the World's Best Airport Hotel for three consecutive years), the room has an open layout with no permanent partitions that cannot be moved away. As I have mentioned earlier, you will get another set of bath amenities here in the shower area (in fact, these are even bigger-sized ones!). The rain-shower is perfect for adventurous travellers after a day out exploring the Katong area. 

Bathroom Doors
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Apparently many hotel guests have criticised the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong for not having a bathroom door - this is obviously not the case. I do not think I have been to any hotels that do not actually have a bathroom door. The bathroom sliding door are clearly tucked away on the side without conflicting with the overall design of the room.

Complimentary Snacks in Room
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Singaporeans who are here on a staycation will most definitely notice the coffee cups with the traditional rooster design - you used to be able to find a similar design whenever you dine out in coffee shops and hawker centres last time (this was the standard design that most businesses default to). Teabags from TWG were also given and replenished in the evening during turndown here. Guests here at the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong will also be able to enjoy complimentary snacks in room - for those of you who do now know this, these candies are childhood snacks of many Singaporeans so there is definitely a sense of nostalgia. 

Nespresso Coffee Machine
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Caffeine-addicts can also rejoice at your very own Nespresso machine in the room. Similar to my previous experience at the Hotel Indigo Bangkok, the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong does not have an Executive Lounge or Club Lounge (I believe this is a brand standard) - therefore, having a coffee machine in your room is truly essential because gone are the days where freeze-dried coffee grounds are acceptable. 

Evening Turndown
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

Since it was rather gloomy on the day that I visited, I stayed in for most parts of the afternoon to utilise that tub - I wanted to get some work done but I guess I ended up with a drifted mind which ultimately focused on making future travel plans instead. I did eventually head out for dinner at Beauty in a Pot (located at OneKM) which is notorious for being difficult in getting a secured reservation though - got mine without a fuss through the OCBC VOYAGE Exchange concierge service! When I returned back to my room, I realised that the evening turndown has been completed and there was even a handwritten note and a box of chocolate truffles on the bed. This has got to be the first time that I have actually gotten a handwritten note at turndown - look at how long that note is!

Infinity Swimming Pool (Night Time)
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

After settling in, I decided to finally check out that iconic infinity pool located on the top floor of the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. While the afternoon was dreadful and gloomy, I was lucky enough to be blessed with clear skies and good weather in the night - the pool was empty and the night breeze (one of the perks of living near the coast) made sitting by the poolside a truly enjoyable one. 

Wanton Noodles - Breakfast
Baba Chews - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The next morning, I decided to check out Baba Chews for breakfast (I have previously been here during dinner and really enjoyed the Kueh Durian dessert). For those of you who are not familiar with the restaurant, it is essentially housed within the former Joo Chiat Police Station and it serves up Peranakan-inspired and Straits of Malacca Dishes during Lunch and Dinner. Breakfast is quite special since it does not deviate too much from pastries and the usual egg dishes. With that being said, the menu does have a couple of interesting local dishes that I knew I had to try. Firstly, the Wanton Noodles here at Baba Chews is legit - hotels in Singapore generally have a reputation for being incompetent at replicating hawker favourites but this right here is evidence that that is indeed not the case. 

Kaya Toast and Eggs - Breakfast
Baba Chews - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The Kaya Toast and Eggs were also done quite well - the eggs were cooked perfectly and you will find the famous salted egg yolk kaya here! I did get light soy sauce instead of dark soy sauce with my eggs though - so that's definitely quite strange. I am not too sure whether this was a mistake or was that the main intention but hey, order it and let me know! 

Bedroom
Premier View Room with Bathtub - Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

I returned back to my room after breakfast and made the best out of my late check-out at 3:00PM (remember you only get this with the Premier View Room with Bathtubs!). I am not too sure what Spire Elite and Platinum Elite members get here at the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong since I currently do not hold any significant loyalty status with IHG Rewards Club but it will be interesting to know. 

Lift Lobby
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is truly a gem in the hotel industry in Singapore. I love how property stays true to the Hotel Indigo brand standards in drawing design influences from the surrounding area and how it remains relatively modest in respect to the architectural landscape around it. The rooms are beautiful (even though that wall mural is a little bit tacky to me) and the facilities are able to meet the standards of a modern traveler. While the location of the property is not immediately a unique selling point for international travellers who are typically used to staying along Orchard or the Marina Bay area, the position of the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong provides travellers (and locals alike) an alternative for a different and potentially more authentic experience in Singapore. 

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong
86 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428788
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