A SECOND InterContinental hotel will rise in Singapore in 2016, but the chain dismissed the notion that this was in part to safeguard the brand’s presence in the city in case Frasers Hospitality, recently acquired by Thailand’s TCC, is appointed in the future to manage the first InterContinental Singapore, which TCC owns.
Answering queries from TTG Asia e-Daily in an email interview, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)’s CEO Asia, Middle East & Africa, Jan Smits, said: “We have a longstanding partnership with TCC, and we foresee the continued management of InterContinental Singapore. Other than InterContinental Singapore, we manage three other hotels for TCC.”
He said the two properties would not cannibalise each other despite their proximity. The second InterContinental hotel will be on the current Gallery Hotel site in Robertson Quay while the first is in Bugis Junction.
“The new InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay represents a more contemporary side of the city, while InterContinental Singapore, as the only Peranakan-inspired luxury hotel here, pays homage to the local heritage. While both carry the InterContinental brand, they are located in different areas of Singapore and have their own unique appeal,” Smits said.
“Singapore is among a select few cities in the world with more than one InterContinental. What we observe in Shanghai, Tokyo and London is that a combination of each hotel’s location within that particular city, the strength of the InterContinental brand and IHG’s global distribution system help each hotel to win guests without cannibalising each other.
“I believe that the buzz around a second InterContinental in Singapore illustrates the confidence our owners have in our brand, and with Singapore’s fast-growing potential as a tourism destination, we’re looking at a win-win situation for everyone.”
The new 225-key InterContinental is owned by RB Capital, which is redeveloping the Gallery Hotel site. Designed by award-winning architecture firm SCDA Architects, the hotel will sit atop a mixed-use development comprising restaurants, bars and lifestyle retail outlets. It will have a contemporary design featuring modern rooms offering views of the Singapore River and city skyline. The ground floor will house the hotel’s arrival lobby, concierge services and the hotel’s flagship restaurant. The hotel reception will be on level four, which will also have meetings rooms, function space, club lounge, a swimming pool and bar.
Kishin RK, chief executive, RB Capital, said: “The new InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay will be an exciting addition to Singapore’s luxury hotel landscape and is the crown jewel of our Robertson Quay rejuvenation project. We are confident its modern luxury design and positioning will be a strong draw for sophisticated business and leisure travellers to Singapore. We are delighted to partner with IHG again following the successful launch of our Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay earlier this year.”
Separately, IHG has also inked a partnership with Katong Holdings to develop the first Hotel Indigo in Singapore, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, with 131 rooms.
Slated to open by 2016, the new development will also comprise the third and largest Holiday Inn Express in the city, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong (451-rooms) in the Joo Chiat neighbourhood.
Hotel Indigo Katong Singapore is the fifth brand under IHG’s portfolio in Singapore.
