Review: A Kid-Friendly Staycation At The InterContinental Singapore

While staycations are less popular these days since travel has largely returned to normal, it’s sometimes nice to take a break from the (messy) home and head out for a family staycation. Even better, there are now so many hotels in Singapore with specially-designed staycations for the family including hotel rooms for kids, meals the little ones will love and of course, special treats.

While I was worried my two kids — both under three and therefore not the best eaters or sleepers — would be more trouble than a staycation was worth, we made plans to do a night at the InterContinental Singapore with both of them in tow. To ensure they were entertained, we were booked into the King Bed Suite Kids Theme Room which promised a fun-filled experience with special amenities just for them.

Checking in to the InterContinental Singapore

The hotel made it easy to bring the kids along. We called ahead and they provided a cot for the baby and kid-sized bathrobes were already hanging in our closet ready for use. Check-in was smooth though it was quite busy at the time. All the details of our stay, including restaurant bookings, were confirmed and off we went.

A room designed for the perfect family staycation

The King Bed Suite Kids Theme Room is impressive. My little ones were in love the minute we opened the door. Our three-year-old, R, by her own admission, “loves” hotels and she was very impressed and immediately got down to playing on the elaborate, raised bed structure with a slide.

Custom-designed by local furniture brand Kidshaven, the wooden structure includes two single beds on a raised platform that kids can access via a ladder and then descend on the slide that connects the two. Reading lights and side pockets make the beds super cosy while the open spaces let the kids run around and play.

The open-concept suite is plenty of room for a young family of four. A tent is set up next to the kids’ bed with plenty of soft toys to keep things cosy. There’s also a kid-sized table with two chair in the same area that’s great for play. When we arrived, it was set up with delicious kids’ snacks like gummy bears and mini Oreos – which is wonderful or terrible depending on how you feel about sugar. My husband and I enjoyed them and let R have a few as well. A cookie-decorating set was also set up but we didn’t think the girls had the hand-eye coordination for something that complicated. We still enjoyed nibbling on the sugar cookies though.

Amenities and entertainment 

All the Kids Themed Rooms are on the fourth floor, which gives you quick and easy access to the hotel’s brilliant outdoor pool. I would consider this one of their best-kept secrets as it was never really crowded the two times we used it.

The main pool is situated by a baby pool that’s easy for little ones to wade in, as well as a shaded jacuzzi that is also popular with the kids. While the main pool gets ample sun, the gazebos and sun chairs enjoy a good amount of shade so no one is at risk of sunburn. Palms Champagne and Pool Bar is also there to ensure no child (or adult) goes without a thirst-quenching drink or snack. Beside the pool are changing rooms and a 24-hour access gym – not that we had any time for that with two very busy and energetic kids.

There isn’t much else in terms of kids' activities in the area unless you want to head across to FishBugis+ for some rooftop fishing and prawning. As my kids are very young, the room was actually perfect for our family staycation and had as much entertainment as they needed. We went swimming after check-in and then played quite happily in the room for an hour before dinner. After swimming, running and sliding all day, everyone slept very well (which was a major bonus).

Dining with kids in mind

The InterContinental Singapore is well known for its diverse dining options. Both my girls had their one-month celebrations at Chinese restaurant Man Fu Yuan and my family has always been a big fan of their roast piglet with glutinous rice.

For our stay, we had dinner booked at Luce by David Giacomelli. Relatively new to the hotel’s stable of restaurants, Luce serves up authentic Italian cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients. Among our favourites were the Burrata di Putignano imported from Italy, as well as their signature pizzas which R loved (despite announcing before dinner that she only wanted noodles).

To that end, I was impressed with the kid-friendly service — pizza chef Chef Edward even came out to discuss with us (mainly my daughter) what she would like to eat. The old kids' classic of buttered noodles was agreed on and was in fact very delicious. For us adults, I enjoyed a luxe take on spaghetti Aglio Olio with uni, bottarga and ikura while my husband opted for the Fettuccine alla Coda di Manzo, which is fresh homemade fettuccine pasta with deboned oxtail ragout.

During the day, the space held by Luce becomes the all-day dining and breakfast buffet area. It’s definitely best to go early for breakfast (before 8am if you can manage) because we got the last table when we got there at 8am sharp. By the time we left around 9.30am there was an enormous queue — and understandably so, as the range of the buffet is impressive with everything from mee rebus to dim sum to a robotic pancake station that is sure to impress the kids.

We also managed to make time to try the hotel’s Lobby Lounge, which is currently doing a Flavours of Japan afternoon tea until the end of August. This three-tier delight inspired by Japan is elegantly presented and delicious, with classic Japanese flavours in bite-sized morsels. Our favourites included the teapot-shaped Hojicha Jivara chocolate mousse and yuzu cold crème brulée with goma royaltine for the sweets, and classic Okonomiyaki and Japanese curry quiche which includes smoked duck, edamame and shiitake mushrooms. While we ate, my one year-old, A, enjoyed roaming the lobby lounge area, with friendly staff helping to keep an eye out (and offering her classic gelato).

There is also a Kid’s Afternoon Tea for the little ones to enjoy, comprising of a two-tiered tray that includes lemon meringue lolly cones, raspberry choux puffs and Grissini bread sticks they can dip in peanut butter or condensed milk. There are also crispy truffle potato wedges and popcorn chicken. 

Checking out

Checking out was hard for the kids, who didn't want their family staycation to end. We let them play as long as possible before we headed down to the front desk. It was once again a busy day and there wasn’t a clear line for check-in and check-out, which could be improved upon. In the flurry of activity from both checking out and two hungry kids, we forgot something we had left behind in the mini-fridge in the room. Luckily, we realised it just as we left and were able to turn back. The concierge kindly gave us the key once again to quickly run up to the room and retrieve what we’d left behind. This was a nice touch considering how easy it is for flustered parents (like us) to forget something.

All in all, this was definitely a step up for the kids in terms of a family staycation. While we love a good pool, nothing quite prepared them for this unique hotel room for kids. R still asks if we can go back and if other hotel rooms we stay in will be the same (oh no).

The InterContinental Singapore is offering a Family Getaway Package for $560+++ which includes one night's accommodation in Classic King Room for two adults and two children (under 12 years old) plus breakfast and dinner at Luce by David Giacomelli or Man Fu Yuan. You’ll also get one complimentary car park ticket valued at $30 (single usage coupon) and 20% savings on a la carte menus at Luce by Davide Giacomelli, Man Fu Yuan and The Lobby Lounge.

The King Bed Suite Kids Theme Room starts from $750+++ a night for the room only.

The Kids Afternoon Tea is $58++ for two kids, $78++ for two kids and one Baba Lionel soft toy, or $98++ for two kids and two Baba Lionel soft toys.

The Japanese Afternoon Tea is $52++ per person on weekdays and $58++ per person on weekends.

The InterContinental Singapore is at 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966, Tel: +65 6338 7600. Visit their site for more information.