No hotel on Sentosa has the colonial grace of the Capella. The 112 rooms and villas, in the converted 19th-century Royal Artillery buildings, feature private plunge pools and white-on-white bedding.
A modern alternative to the nearby Fullerton—its sister hotel—this 100-room property stands out from its Neoclassical neighbors with a glass façade and contemporary art collection.
The three-tower Marina Bay Sands has become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. A highlight: the 133,000-square-foot rooftop with knockout views of the city.
The Park Royal showcases chic sustainable design by native architecture firm Woha. Solar panels line the roof while the Zen-like interiors include ponds, waterfalls, and a cabana-lined infinity pool.
The 1887 Raffles has undergone several face-lifts but stays true to its colonial-style past. Sikh doormen welcome guests in the driveway and suites are done up in antiques and Oriental carpets.
This zany hotel in Little India is the brainchild of a group of local design companies. Expect whimsical touches such as life-size pencil drawings of furniture on the walls and neon lighting.
For its Singapore property, Starwood chose to go seaside, to Sentosa. Here, DJ’s spin in the lobby, underwater speakers play music in the pool, and rooms have multiple options for mood lighting.
In his funky Tiong Bahru shop-house, owner Kenny Leck carries the city’s largest collection of literary tomes. The back of the store is dedicated to oddities such as vintage cameras and typewriters.
In this cool multi-concept space, you can sample 12-hour pork belly at the restaurant Kilo, check out Americana-inspired threads by local label K.I.N, then stop for a cut at Pact & Lim hair salon.
This indie fashion boutique stocks Singapore’s best local designers. You’ll find billowy dresses by A.K.A Wayward, geometric-cut sweaters by Max.Tan, and laid-back silhouettes from Weekend Sundries.
This one-of-a-kind shop serves as a platform for emerging craftspeople to sell their work. Best bets: white ceramic plates with emblems of Singapore landmarks and old maps of the world.
Designed by Israeli-born Moshe Safdie, the flower-like museum displays exhibits on technology, art, and style by such talent as Japanese video master Naoko Tosa.
This is one of Singapore’s most unusual contemporary art spaces; it spotlights marquee names from around the world (Chinese artist Ai Weiwei; Australian sculptor Sam Leach).
This museum explores the culture of the Peranakan (descendants of 17th-century Chinese and Indian immigrants who married local Malays). Inside, find ceremonial jewelry and nyonya porcelain vases.
Check out the first phase of the city’s 250-acre waterfront park: a futuristic grove of “Supertrees.”
Once you arrive at this boomerang-shaped island, a 10-minute boat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, rent a bike to see wild mangroves, traditional wooden houses, and the occasional wild boar.
Chef Damian D’Silva’s gastrobar in Joo Chiat has rekindled Singapore’s passion for local heritage food: the tapas-style plates include beef-cheek rendang and some of the city’s best chicken wings.
At this two-floor shop-house in Chinatown, Mediterranean-influenced dishes are prepared in an open kitchen. Don’t miss the fresh sea urchin atop squid-ink custard and finely chopped chives.
What originally began as a nameless hawker stall in the late 1970’s has grown into five outposts across the city. Swing by the Geylang location for white-pepper crab, a longtime neighborhood favorite.
Restaurateurs Adrian Ling and Cleo-Chiang Ling’s fusion joint in Dempsey Hill puts a modern spin on Southeast Asian classics. Try the razor clams tau suan and rich bak kwa macaroni and cheese.
This three-story Chinatown spot turns out haute French nouvelle plates prepared by Taiwanese chef-owner André Chiang. What to expect? Dishes such as warm foie gras jelly with black-truffle coulis.
Dim sum devotees love Yum Cha’s old-fashioned pushcart service, a novelty rarely seen in Singapore. Marble-topped tables and framed neighborhood photos set the backdrop for standout salted-egg prawns.
The center’s International Nasi Lemak stall is known for its lemongrass-infused pandan rice.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice There is always a line outside this popular stand at Maxwell Road, but it’s worth the wait.
Singapore’s celebrated foodie K. F. Seetoh handpicked the collection of stalls at this street food hawker center. Oyster omelettes and fried carrot cake can be enjoyed with a view of the skyline.
Singapore’s first stand-alone rooftop bar has recently injected its menu with Southeast Asian flavor. Order the chili-crab cheese fries with a Singapore Sour.
The self-touted “highest alfresco bar in the world” offers 360-degree views and is furnished with plush daybeds.
Inspired by a bar in Bali of the same name, the casual-chic restaurant-bar attracts big-name DJ’s thanks to its 600-foot-high perch atop Marina Bay Sands.
This stylish watering hole caters to a creative crowd; try the Purple Drank, made with vanilla-and-raisin spirit, curaçao, candy gomme, raspberry, and citrus.
Satisfy your love for all things vintage at Granny’s Day Out, which sells clothing, purses, and shoes sourced from around the globe.
For lunch, Kok Sen serves an incredible prawn noodle soup made with spicy sambal belacan (be sure to book ahead).
Check out the rotating exhibits at this gallery in Tiong Bahru for a glimpse into the local art scene.
When you want to escape the bustle of the city, there’s no better place than the Labrador Nature Reserve, which hugs Singapore’s southern coastline.
Start your day with an avocado drink made from gula melaka (palm sugar) at this café in Bishan Park.
This hawker center has great sambal stingray, chicken wings, and sugarcane juice.
Reverse Gin and Tonic, which pairs nicely with the suckling pig; the city views from the restaurant’s windows are breathtaking.
