WHERE TO STAY
Four Seasons
Steps from the shops of Orchard Road, with oversized rooms and a quiet garden. DOUBLES FROM $298. 190 ORCHARD RD.; 800/819-5053 OR 65/6734-1110
The Fullerton
Former British colonial post office converted into an Old World-style hotel. DOUBLES FROM $280. 1 FULLERTON SQUARE; 65/6733-8388
Hotel 1929
The city's hippest hotel has tiny guest quarters with vintage furniture by Verner Panton. DOUBLES FROM $92. 50 KEONG SAIK RD.; 65/6347-1929
Raffles the Plaza
All-white bathrooms and wooden-floored guest rooms have guests opting for this new Raffles over its older sister. DOUBLES FROM $232. 80 BRAS BASAH RD.; 65/6339-7777
Ritz-Carlton, Millenia
Modern Asian art gives an updated look to a traditional city hotel. DOUBLES FROM $302. 7 RAFFLES AVE.; 800/241-3333 OR 65/6337-8888
WHERE TO EAT
Buko Nero
Run by an Italian chef and his Singaporean wife. Fresh greens, soy sauces, and lemongrass add Pacific Rim flavor to their Mediterranean dishes. DINNER FOR TWO $48. 126 TANJONG PAGAR RD.; 65/6324-6225
Ember
Chef Sebastian Ng's Mod Oz influence can be tasted in everything from the soft-shell crab in aioli to the sea bass with ginger. DINNER FOR TWO $50. 50 KEONG SAIK RD.; 65/6347-1928
My Humble House
A collaboration between Beijing artist Zhang Jin Jie and Singaporean locals turning out contemporary Chinese with unusual touches (try the oatmeal-dusted prawns). DINNER FOR TWO $83. 8 RAFFLES AVE.; 65/6423-1881
Saint Pierre
Belgian chef-owner Emmanuel Stroobant cooks with rock-and-roll flair, using Japanese ingredients in rustic European dishes. DINNER FOR TWO $120. MAGAZINE RD.; 65/6438-0887
AFTER DARK
37 Bar & Bubble Lounge
Tucked among the Chinatown brothels, the 37 Bar and the Bubble Lounge draw a sophisticated crowd with Cosmos, brandy, and, of course, lots of champagne. 37 KEONG SAIK RD.; 65/6227-9370
Cocco Latte
76 ROBERTSON QUAY; 65/6338-8117
C.U.
15 MOHAMED SULTAN RD.; 65/6738-9050
Velvet Underground
A wall-sized Keith Haring canvas hangs above the chandelier-lit dance floor, where models and hipsters writhe to Latin-tinged and electronic rhythms. 17 JIK KIM ST.; 65/6738-2988
Whitebait & Kale
The outdoor lounge near Orchard Road is filled with the pre-clubbing crowd mingling over espresso martinis. 1 ORCHARD BLVD.; 65/6333-8025
WHAT TO DO
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 EMPRESS PLACE; 65/6332-7798
Earl Lu Gallery
90 GOODMAN RD.; 65/6344-4300
Esplanade Theatres on the Bay
1 ESPLANADE DR.; 65/6828-8389
Eu Yan Sang
A traditional herb chemist. 269A S. BRIDGE RD.; 65/6223-6333
Haw Par Villa
262 PASIR PANJANG RD.; 65/6872-2780
Singapore Tyler Print Institute
41 ROBERTSON QUAY; 65/6336-3663
Rob McKeown
Copyright © 2009, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.