InterContinental Singapore's new multimillion dollar look

Thanks to a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the InterContinental Singapore has been given a new lease of life with elegant new guest rooms, a revamped lobby lounge and a swanky European-style brasserie.

Local design consultancy FBEYE oversaw the refresh, updating all 338 rooms in the hotel's main tower with silk-threaded wall panels, intricate wooden fretwork and colourful silk headboards. A clean all-white colour scheme with gold and duck egg blue highlights has given the property a more graceful, residential feel.

The new design incorporates elements from the local Peranakan culture, including colourful mosaic tiles in the soaring two-storey lobby lounge and a vibrant painting by award-winning artist Danielle Solk​ in the Concierge Lounge. The property's famous three-tiered Royal Heritage Afternoon Tea remains but has now been joined by a coffee-based alternative featuring house-blended premium roasts from Brazil.

The biggest change is the arrival of Ash & Elm, an in-house brasserie with three separate culinary "theatres" – a charcuterie and cheese room, a wood-fired oven and an open-grill kitchen. The space morphs seamlessly from a bustling breakfast buffet to an intimate dinner venue thanks to adjustable lighting and innovative technology such as benchtops with built-in induction cookers.

Another welcome addition is a free weekly heritage tour that explores the surrounding arts and culture precincts of Bugis​ and Bras Basah​. The entertaining two-hour excursion visits many of the area's shrines and temples together with the lively food halls that serve as the communal dining rooms for many local families.

Deluxe rooms from $456; see intercontinental.com.