by Gregory Waldron
September 2007

MEET THE CITY

These are exciting days for Singapore. The economy is booming, the local stock market is hitting record highs—as of this writing, up 20 percent since January 2007—and the property market is frenzied. Across the harbor from Singapore’s business district, the city-state’s first casino is set to open in 2009, creating a new tourism sector. In 2008, Singapore will host its first F1 race, which will see the country’s skyline televised globally.


Making your way around Singapore is easy and cheap. Taxis are far less expensive than in U.S. cities, but during rush hour, they can be hard to flag down. If you have an urgent meeting, it’s best to have your hotel call a taxi for you, particularly in the business district between 5 and 9 p.m. As for public transport, Singapore’s subway (called the “MRT”) is comfortable and fast.For detailed city maps, visit streetdirectory.com. Singapore is one of America’s most important allies in Asia, and estimates put around 15,000–17,000 Americans residents in the city. The American business community is highly influential, and the American Chamber of Commerce has more than 2,400 members representing 600 companies.

Where to stay

At the Gallery Hotel (1 Nanson Road, +65 6849 8686, galleryhotel.com.sg),Singapore’s first hotel inspired by design and art, every room is unique. Situated at the heart of Singapore’s business district, The Fullerton (1 Fullerton Square, +65 6733 8388, fullertonhotel.com) is 80 years old. The hotel served has a hospital during the fall of Singapore in early 1942, and its Post Bar still has the best cocktails in town.

Singapore’s oldest hotel and a throwback to Colonial days, The Raffles (1 Beach Road, +65 6337 1886, Singapore-raffles.raffles.com) has seen hundreds of famous guests, including W. Somerset Maugham and Joseph Conrad. It’s also home to the Long Bar, famous for its Singapore Sling—drinkers can keep the glass.

Where to dine

Despite its modern image, Singapore has a superb record of preserving old buildings and converting them for new uses. The Tanglin Village (tanglinvillage.com.sg) district is a fine example of this trend. Composed of warehouses and barracks built by the British Military in the 1930s, Tanglin offers a number of great restaurants and relaxed bars. For a pleasant evening, sip South African wine at the Wine Network (Block 13 Dempsey Road, #01-03A, +65 6479 2280,
winenetwork.com.sg) then stroll down to Oosh (22 Dempsey Road, +65 6475 0002,oosh.com.sg), a hot new fusion restaurant where diners eat under the trees amid the sound of waterfalls.