This much-anticipated property was on the verge of opening in late 2015—albeit under a different name and different management—when an impasse between the original shareholders mothballed it for almost three years. But it was worth the wait. Occupying two adjacent heritage buildings—the Venetian Renaissance–style Stamford House, which opened as a department store in 1904; and the neoclassical Capitol Building, completed in 1930—in the heart of Singapore’s civic and cultural district, it’s a real gem, with an architectural restoration entrusted to Pritzker laureate Richard Meier and interiors by the late Jaya Ibrahim—this was the Indonesian designer’s last project. The 157 rooms and suites come in a variety of configurations (some have outdoor terraces) and pay restrained homage to the buildings’ colonial roots, with a muted cream-and-champagne palette, high corniced ceilings, and bathtubs set against scale-patterned feature walls or window-side in arched alcoves. There’s Italian marble, travertine, and other elegant finishes everywhere, including at the AvroKO-designed 15 Stamford. Originally conceived as a Peruvian restaurant, it opened instead under the direction of Hong Kong celeb chef Alvin Leung, whose menu features a selection of his favorite pan-Asian dishes—think sous vide rendang short ribs, and Hokkaido scallop with shiso and soy jelly. Another nice touch is the hotel’s 24-hour stay policy, meaning you can check-in or check out at any time of the day.

—65/6715-6871; kempinski.com; doubles from US$290

See the full 2019 Luxe List in the October/November 2019 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“The Luxe List 2019: The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore”).