Albert Court Village Hotel straddles the axis formed by Singapore's museum and art precincts and Little India. At the same time, the hotel is just 10-minutes' drive to Raffles City and Suntec City convention centres and the Central Business District.

Soon after the arrival of Indian immigrants in the 19th century, laundry yards sprouted in Dhoby Ghaut in the days when Stamford Canal was an open waterway. Further down at Serangoon Road, cows were reared for their milk. This provided employment and soon thereafter, temples dedicated to various Hindu gods were built.

Serangoon Road today forms the backbone of Little India but its side streets are just as colourful and vibrant. Let your sense of smell go into overdrive as pungent spices and sweet jasmine vie for your attention. Tekka Centre’s “wet” market and food centre throb at the crack of dawn each day. All that glitters is gold as Chinese gold merchants and pawnshop owners fluently speak Indian dialects and extol the fine quality of their gems-encrusted jewellery.

Dining is a celebration unto itself with North and South Indian restaurants standing should-to-shoulder with those offering vegetarian choices. Curry fish head flavoured with tamarind is a true-blue Singaporean creation that is best washed down with ice-cold lime juice or lassi (Indian yoghurt).

Flavour your stay at Albert Court Village Hotel with a dose of Singapore’s history, Indian and Straits Chinese culture and art – all within walking distance from where you are staying.

Sri Veeramakaliamann Temple
141 Serangoon Road
Opening hours: 0630 – 1200 hrs and 1800 – 2100 hrs

This temple is devoted to Kali, divine mother and destroyer of evil. The temple catered to the religious needs of some 13,000 devotees who lived and worked in the area by the mid-19th century. While there, look out as devotees prostrate themselves in prayers, encircle each shrine and offer lamps or smash coconuts to break evil. A steady stream of faithful Hindus seeks the blessings of Kali and other deities.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
141 Serangoon Road
Opening hours: 0630 – 1200 hrs and 1800 – 2100 hrs

First built in 1885 and subsequently rebuilt in the 1960s, this temple was developed by Indian community leaders who had close links with the British East India Company. The temple’s rajagopuram (main gateway) was added in 1979 and consecrated with holy water from the Ganges River. This temple is the starting point for the spectacular kavadi procession during Thaipusam, usually held in January.

Tekka Centre
Junction of Bukit Timah Road and Serangoon Road
Opening hours: Early morning until evening

Tekka Centre is a “wet” market, food centre and mall under one roof. Within the wet market is a colourful tapestry of vendors selling everything from fruits, meat, vegetables, flowers and banana leaves that double as plates on which food is served. The food centre offers a palate-tingling choice of Indian food and other popular local dishes. On the second level are shops selling traditional Indian and Punjabi clothing in colours that make a rainbow pale in comparison.

Kwan Im Tong Hood Cho Temple
178 Waterloo Street

Built in 1884, this temple was dedicated to Guan Yin the Goddess of Mercy and miraculously survived bombings during World War II. Of particular interest is the sight of many devotees seeking answers to their burning questions by shaking bamboo sticks inside brass containers, creating an incessant clanking. While the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month see a strong stream of visitors, the swarm of devotees reach a peak on the eve of the Chinese New Year.

Dining along Race Course Road

Race Course Road has a concentration of both North and South Indian restaurants and particularly popular are those featuring tamarind-flavoured fish head curry and saffron rice served on banana leaves. And there is no better way to wash it all down than with a ice-cold glass of lime juice, lassi (Indian yoghurt) or a glass of frothy teh tarik (milky tea). Take your pick from Indian vegetarian as well as Indian-Chinese fusion dishes and curries galore. These restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, and offer snack menus in between.

Sri Krishnan Temple
152 Waterloo Street
Opening hours: 0630 – 1200hrs and 1800 – 2100 hrs

Singapore’s only temple dedicated to Sri Krishnan and his consort Rukmini was built in 1870. Its proximity to the Kwan Im Tong Hood Cho Temple brings a stream of devotees who make offerings of joss at the Sri Krishnan Temple – a perfect manifestation of Singapore’s multi-religious harmony.

Mustafa Centre
145 Syed Alwi Road
Open 24 hours

Spread over four floors, Mustafa Centre offers round-the-clock shopping for those who are too busy during the day or who are faced with a bout of insomnia. Initially popular with South Asian visitors, it is today patronised by Singaporeans and visitors from all over the world. Besides electronic goods, clothes, toiletries and jewelleries, Mustafa boasts a huge selection of Indian spices, foodstuffs and cooking ingredients.

National Museum
93 Stamford Road
Opening hours: Singapore History Gallery (1000 – 1800 hrs), Singapore Living Galleries (1000 – 2000 hrs)
Entry: S$10 (adults), S$5 (seniors above 60 and children under 18), S$30 (family package for three adults and two children)

Originally named the Raffles Library and Museum, this immaculately-restored building was built in 1887 and renamed the National Museum in 1965. It is an architectural icon (look out for its rotunda), the custodian for Singapore’s historical and cultural treasures and the venue for a whole slew of festivals, cultural performances and film screenings.

Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street
Opening hours : Monday (1300 – 1900hrs), Friday (0930 – 2100hrs), Rest of the week (0930 – 1900 hrs)
Entry: S$6 (adults), S$3 (full-time students)

A fine collection of everything from wedding fineries to funerary ware, colourful porcelain wares custom-made in China to sombre blue-and-white ones used only in mourning and all manner of hand-embroidered clothing, beautiful cotton sarongs, silver and gold jewellery and beaded slippers. If the Peranakan (Straits Chinese) motifs in the Albert Court Village Hotel caught your eye, the Peranakan Museum is just the place to learn more about this fascinating culture.

LASALLE College of the Arts
1 McNally Street

The college was established by Brother Joseph NcNally in 1984 and moved into its present award-winning campus in 2007. The stunning black façade with a curvy atrium provides inspiration for those pursuing various genres of performing and fine arts or have a keen appreciation for architecture and photography. Located nearby in an area bound by Bencoolen Street, Middle Road, Waterloo Street and Prinsep Street are the various campuses of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and other art centres.