The country code for Singapore is 65. Prices quoted are for the current month. The U.S. embassy is at 27 Napier Road (6476-9100; singapore.usembassy.gov).

Lodging
Singapore's many luxury hotels are mostly clustered in the Orchard Road shopping district and near the marina. Orchard Road claims the serene Four Seasons, with an intimate, almost residential feel (6734-1110; http://www.fourseasons.com/; doubles, $290–$320; wheelchair-accessible). The gardenlike setting of the Shangri-La and its quiet, formal service recall the best English hotels (6737-3644; http://www.shangri-la.com/; doubles, $175–$260; wheelchair-accessible). The stately Regent is just far enough from the bustle of Orchard Road and just close enough to the botanic gardens to make for quick shopping or jogging excursions (6733-8888; http://www.fourseasons.com/; doubles, $125–$208; wheelchair-accessible). The hip Grand Hyatt has several fine restaurants (6738-1234; http://www.hyatt.com/; doubles, $170–$205; wheelchair-accessible). Across the road, the Hilton has a great shopping arcade and a rooftop pool set amid tropical foliage (6737-2233; http://www.hilton.com/; doubles, $140–$175; wheelchair-accessible). Goodwood Park is typically Singaporean, with durian tea cakes for afternoon tea and two excellent Szechuan restaurants (6737-7411; http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/; doubles, $160–$280; wheelchair-accessible). Beautiful architecture and tasteful decor distinguish the iconic Raffles (6337-1886; http://www.raffles.com/; doubles, $425–$530; wheelchair-accessible).

The second cluster, near the marina, shares great views of the harbor. The Ritz-Carlton has a lovely atrium lobby and sun-dappled restaurants and is within walking distance of the Esplanade (6337-8888; http://www.ritzcarlton.com/; doubles, $235–$340; wheelchair-accessible). Ditto the dignified Fullerton, a former post office with three great restaurants (6733-8388; http://www.fullertonhotel.com/; doubles, $325–$435; wheelchair-accessible). After a multimillion-dollar face-lift, the Oriental reopened with the city's best spa (6338-0066; http://www.mandarinoriental.com/; doubles, $157–$230; wheelchair-accessible). The Scarlet, a new 84-room hotel, has a rare and welcome sexiness (6511-3333; http://www.thescarlethotel.com/; doubles, $90–$230).

Dining
American Club (21 Scotts Rd.; 6737-3411; http://www.amclub.org.sg/). Canelé Pâtisserie (in the Centrepoint Mall; 6738-8145). Cedele by Bakery Depot (six locations, including one at 01-13 Republic Plaza; 6532-6163; sandwiches, $4–$7). Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (39 outlets; http://www.coffeebean.com.sg/). Din Tai Fung (in the Paragon mall; 6836-8336; dumplings, $3–$10). Dosa Corner (70 Serangoon Rd.; 6297-6297; dosas, about $4). Exotic Juice Cathay (01-19 Merah Lane; 9663-1648; juice drinks, $2). Garibaldi (01-02 36 Purvis St.; 6837-1468; entrées, $19–$23). Ghaangothree (5 Hindoo Rd.; 6296-6939; entrées, $8–$13). Jaan (2 Stamford Rd.; 6837-3322; entrées, $15–$25). Jade (in the Fullerton Hotel; 6877-8188; entrées, $17–$20). The Line (in the Shangri-La Hotel; 6213-4275; entrées, $15–$28). Ras (in Clarke Quay; 6837-2800; entrées, $9–$16). St. Leaven bakery (in the Takashimaya department store; 6738-1111). San Marco (in the Fullerton Hotel; 6438-4404; entrées, $17–$24). Thanying Express (in the Takashimaya department store food court; entrées, $5–$10). Whatever (20 Keong Saik Rd.; 6221-0300; sandwiches, $5–$6).

Activities
Asian Civilisations Museum (two locations; 6332-7798; http://www.nhb.gov.sg/). Clinique d'Esthetique (in the Takashimaya department store; 6733-7000). Duck Tours (6333-3825; http://www.ducktours.com.sg/; tours, $20). Esplanade (1 Esplanade Dr.; 6828-8222; http://www.esplanade.com/). G-MAX Reverse Bungy (in Clark Quay; 6338-1146; http://www.gmax.co.nz/; bungee jump, $18). Jurong Bird Park (2 Jurong Hill; 6265-0022; http://www.birdpark.com.sg/). Night Safari (80 Mandai Lake Rd.; 6269-3411; http://www.zoo.com.sg/). Singapore Art Museum (71 Bras Basah Rd.; 6332-3222; http://www.nhb.gov.sg/). Singapore Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Rd.; 6471-7361; http://www.sbg.org.sg/). Singapore Philatelic Museum (23B Coleman St.; 6337-3888; http://www.spm.org.sg/). Singapore Science Centre (15 Science Centre Rd.; 6425-2500; http://www.science.edu.sg/). Spa Botanica (on Sentosa Island; 6371-1318; http://www.spabotanica.com/; one-hour four-hands massage, $115). Underwater World (on Sentosa Island; 6275-0030; http://www.underwaterworld.com.sg/; dive with sharks, $58).

Shopping
Chinatown Complex (335 Smith St.). Eu Yan Sang (branches throughout the city, including two at Changi Airport). The Forum (583 Orchard Rd.; 6732-2479). Mumbai Sé (390 Orchard Rd.; 6733-7188; http://www.mumbaise.com.sg/). Mustafa Center (145 Syed Alwi Rd.; 6295-5855). Palais Renaissance (390 Orchard Rd.; 6737-1520). Paragon (290 Orchard Rd.; 6738-5535). Suntec City Shopping Mall (3 Temasek Blvd.; 6334-2372). Takashimaya (391 Orchard Rd.; 6732-6626). Tang (320 Orchard Rd.; 6737-5500). Yue Hwa Chinese Products Ltd. (70 Eu Tong Sen St.; 6538-9233; http://www.yuehwa.com.sg/).

Nightlife
Aphrodisiac (47 Club St.; 6325-8529). Attica (in Clarke Quay; 6333-9973). Bar Opiume (1 Empress Pl.; 6339-2876). Carnivore (in Chijmes; 6334-9927). China Jump Bar and Grill (in Chijmes; 6338-9388). Este (in Clarke Quay; 6338-0712). Father Flanagan's (in Chijmes; 6333-1418). Gotham Penthouse (in Clarke Quay; 6339-5595). La Cave Wine Bar (in Chijmes; 6337-9717). 1 Nite Stand (in Clarke Quay; 6334-1954). Phuture (17 Jiak Kim St.; 7382-2988). Velvet Underground (17 Jiak Kim St.; 6738-2988). Zenzie Bar (in Clarke Quay; 6339-5787). Zouk (17 Jiak Kim St.; 6738-2988).

Hawker Markets
Alexandra Village Hawker Centre (behind the row of shop houses directly opposite Queens.way). Lau Pa Sat Festival Market (at Raffles Quay, Financial District). Maxwell Road Food Centre (Maxwell and South Bridge Rds., Chinatown). Newton Circus Food Centre (Scotts Rd., Newton). Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre (Seng Poh Rd. at Outram Rd., just past the expressway).

Temples
Leong San See (371 Race Course Rd.). Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya (366 Race Course Rd.). Sri Mariamman (244 South Bridge Rd.). Sri Veeramakaliamman (Serangoon Rd. at Veerasamy Rd.). Sultan Mosque (3 Muscat St.). Thian Hock Keng (158 Telok Ayer St.).

From the July 2005 issue of TIME Asia Magazine
Copyright © 2005 Time Inc. All rights reserved.