Singapore
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Indigo Hotel in Katong has a Peranakan-Nyonya theme which extends into its rooms. It’s located smack in the middle of Katong, the old Peranakan heartland of Singapore, with interesting shops (e.g. Rumah Bebe and Rumah Kim Choo) to explore the unique 500-year-old Peranakan culture, which is indigenous to Singapore, Penang and Malacca.
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Opt for one of the small hotels at Keong Saik Road precinct, which is near enough to Chinatown, besides a plethora of bars on Keong Saik Road and Bukit Pasoh Road next to it.
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Stay at the hip Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, with many small bars, galleries, cafes, bookshops, and the iconic Tiong Bahru Food Centre, and its many famous hawker stalls.
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Explore the murals around Singapore, starting with those in the colourful Little India district. Explore the shops and numerous eateries in the neighbourhood. Some of my favourites are Komala Vilas and Madras New Woodlands .
Penang
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Some interesting hotels, if you care to pay a bit more, in the old downtown includes the beautiful Seven Terraces , located on the atmospheric Stewart Lane, and near the much-revered Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Imm Teng) built in 1728. The hotel is walking distance to Penang’s historic colonial British district and also Little India.
The hotel’s restaurant, Kebaya , is the most sought-after dining spot in town at the moment. -
Muntri Mews and The Edison are two other interesting options in the same area - both allows you to walk around George Town’s labryrinth of old shophouses and explore the shops and cafes.
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One pleasant excursion you can make is up Penang Hill (take the furnicular rail) and visit The Habitat .
