Nites
If money is no object, you must stay at the Raffles Hotel (https://www.raffles.com/singapore/) with its iconic colonial architecture like no other. Or, if you want something a little more modern, and so much larger, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (https://www.marinabaysands.com/) may just be to your liking. (At the time of this writing, a new tower was approved and construction to begin shortly.)
But both of those were a little too expensive for this traveler’s budget so we stayed a little further away from downtown – halfway between the Marina Bay Sands and the airport to be honest – at the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. And it was perfect! Located in one of the original communities of Singapore, and a short walk to China Town, or an easy Uber ride to wherever you wanted to go, this hotel offered a lovely pool, an amazing breakfast at their sister restaurant, and a welcomed respite from the bustle of the city.
Bites
You will not suffer for places to dine in Singapore. But if I only had one night, which is nowhere near enough time, I would head straight to Osteria Mozza (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sinorhi-hilton-singapore-orchard/dining/osteria-mozza/). Yes, it’s in a hotel and it is also part of a small chain of restaurants from Chef Nancy Silverton, AND it is Italian, but it is shear perfection, from the food, to the drinks, to the service, to the décor.
If hotel dining isn’t your thing, which I certainly get, then you must go to Joie Vegetarian (https://www.joierestaurant.com.sg/menu-dinner). Located on the top floor of an office building, the restaurant offers excellent vegetarian food without relying on mock meats and excessive use of rice and pasta.
A trip to Singapore is not complete without having at least one Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel. Get there early, and don’t plan to come for cocktail hour because everyone else comes then and you’ll stand in a queue for a good hour or so.
Not exactly a bite, but if you have the chance, you must visit the Atlas Bar (https://www.atlasbar.sg/), a stunning art deco establishment that will transport you to 1920 New York.
Sites
For a wonderfully unique food tour, I can’t recommend enough Veg This City (https://vegthiscity.com/). Part walking tour and so much a food tour, our guide introduced us to things that we never would have tried, let us attempt to make local spring rolls, and provided a lunch with so many options that it was difficult to have dinner that evening.
Let’s Go Tours Singapore offered a wonderful walking tour, as well as an outstanding bike tour (https://letsgotoursingapore.com/tours/city-highlights-ethnic-quarters/), that we did on a whim. And both were worth the experience and the moderate cost.