Actor Stoney Westmoreland, who played the grandfather Henry “Ham” Mack on the Disney Channel sitcom Andi Mack, had his contract terminated by Disney following his arrest on suspicion of trying to arrange for sex with a 13-year-old.

Utah media station KSL reported that Westmoreland, 48, was arrested in Salt Lake City, where the show is filmed, on Dec 14.

According to an affidavit, the actor began communicating online with a user he believed was underage “on an internet app used for dating and meeting people for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity”, sent pornographic photos and requested nude photos as well as to engage in sexual acts.

He was arrested when he used a ride-sharing service to pick up the person he believed was a teenager.

“Given the nature of the charges and our responsibility for the welfare of employed minors, we have released him from his recurring role and he will not be returning to work on the series which wraps production on its third season next week,” a Disney Channel representative told various media outlets including E! News and Fox News.

Andi Mack follows the titular character and her friends as they navigate school and play. The show’s young stars are aged between 14 and 17.

Westmoreland’s acting career has spanned 20 years and television shows such as Gilmore Girls, Breaking Bad, Scandal and Better Call Saul.

LONDON: Pep Guardiola called on Manchester City to learn from a nervy finish to a seventh straight Premier League victory as a 2-1 win at Watford moved the champions five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table.

City’s goals came either side of half-time as Leroy Sane chested home before Riyad Mahrez doubled the visitors’ lead early in the second period.

However, despite dominating for the majority of the game, Guardiola’s men had to withstand a nervy finish after Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled in five minutes from time.

“We have in mind the last minutes, (in) the last minutes anything could happen,” said Guardiola. “I think we played 65-70 minutes at a top, top level.

“After 0-2 we lost a little bit our control. We suffered, but that is what it is.

“We have to learn from what happened in the last 20-25 minutes.”

Guardiola made six changes to his starting line-up despite also missing Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne through injury.

Yet, City were still far too strong for the dogged hosts, who had goalkeeper Ben Foster to thank for the visitors not racking up the 5-0 and 6-0 thrashings they did on their two previous visits to Vicarage Road.

“When I came to London I thought Big Ben was in the city but no, he is in Watford for us,” said Watford manager Javi Gracia.

However, Gracia’s side also had chances before the break against a City defence that appeared to miss Aymeric Laporte as the Frenchman was rotated for the first time in the league this season.

“It was a good old Premier League game, as soon as they scored long balls start coming, they are extremely physical up front,” said City captain Vincent Kompany.

“We managed the game pretty well. You can’t win every game playing fantasy football.”

Roberto Pereyra has already produced some spectacular goals for the Hornets this season and the Argentine was inches away from another when he curled just wide inside 10 minutes.

Foster then made great saves to deny Sane and Mahrez when one-on-one, but the best stop of the opening half came down the other end when Ederson stretched out his left foot to block Troy Deeney’s effort from point-blank range.

City finally broke through five minutes before the break when Mahrez’s cross picked out Sane unmarked at the back post and he cleverly used his chest to power the ball below Foster.

Six minutes into the second half, the visitors struck again when Gabriel Jesus – who endured another lean night in front of goal in the absence of Aguero – at least made a contribution as a provider by pulling the ball back for Mahrez to fire home.

City got uncharacteristically slack in the final quarter, though, and were made to pay when Doucoure finally turned home after a goalmouth scramble.

Guardiola was forced to throw on Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi in the closing stages to repel Watford’s aerial assault, but City held on.

“They have dominated the game, they have created a lot of chances but I think we have done very good work and, at the end in the last minutes, we had some set pieces to try and get another result,” added Gracia.

PEREZ SPARKS WEST HAM

Elsewhere, Bournemouth moved above Manchester United, who host Arsenal on Wednesday, up to sixth courtesy of a 2-1 win over Huddersfield thanks to early goals from Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser to end a run of four straight defeats.

“A lot of relief. It wasn’t a vintage performance. At 2-0 you think we can go on but Huddersfield did very well and created chances. We defended heroically,” said a relieved Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.

Brighton edged into the top half as despite playing for over an hour with 10 men after Shane Duffy’s red card. They beat Crystal Palace 3-1 thanks to first-half goals from Glenn Murray, Leon Balogun and Florin Andone.

West Ham’s upward trajectory also continued as three goals in 12 second-half minutes beat Cardiff 3-1 with Lucas Perez scoring his first two league goals since a summer move from Arsenal.

English Premier League results:

Bournemouth 2 Huddersfield 1

Brighton 3 Crystal Palace 1

West Ham 3 Cardiff 1

Watford 1 Manchester City 2

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially if you’re not the one cooking Christmas dinner for a crowd. But if your party involves more than a few people, why not outsource the good stuff to the professionals? Or call it a potluck?

We picked out festive treats we’d like to see at our own Christmas soiree.

FESTIVE CHICKEN AND CHRISTMAS KUGELHOPF FROM FIREBAKE

A hearty whole chicken, slow-cooked with a medley of root vegetables and trumpet mushrooms – this was a quintessential taste of Konstantino Blokbergen’s Christmas memories growing up in Cully, Switzerland.

The owner of popular wood-fire restaurant Firebake is offering the festive chicken dish (S$55) and a traditional sugar-dusted kugelhopf (S$25) as Christmas takeaway specials throughout the month of December. Pre-order for takeaway two days in advance.

237 East Coast Road. www.firebake.sg

LOW GI FLOURLESS VALRHONA DARK CHOCOLATE LOG FROM SIMPLE INDULGENCE PATISSERIE

Great for those eschewing gluten – not that you’d miss the flour in this luscious low GI flourless dark chocolate log cake (S$86 for 500g).

Owner and baker Christine Ng also makes an ethereally light Japanese yuzu white chocolate chiffon log cake (S$62 for 500g) scented with yuzu zest and iced with a not-too-sweet yuzu-infused white chocolate ganache.

You can buy both cakes as a bundle for S$140. Order before Dec 8 and get 10 per cent off.

#01-02 Parc Somme, 62 Somme Road. https://simpleip.oddle.me/en_SG/

ISPAHAN LYCHEE ICE CREAM CAKE FROM CREAMIER

Inspired by the classic Ispahan dessert by iconic French patissier Pierre Herme, Creamier’s Ispahan lychee ice cream cake (S$58) is a dreamy concoction. Think layers of silky lychee mousse, white chocolate and vanilla sponge flecked with bits of lychee, raspberry ice cream and lychee cream.

While you’re at it, you might hear the siren call of their holiday ice cream flavours like chocolate peppermint and mint Oreos (S$12 a pint) as well.

Order online at creamier.com.sg

ROASTED TURKEY WITH HERBS AND ANGUS RIBEYE WITH MERLOT JUS FROM MARMALADE PANTRY

If you’re responsible for feeding a crowd, the most fuss-free of options is letting someone else do the hard work.

Though roasted turkeys in all sorts of novel flavours abound, sometimes, going back to basics is your safest bet. The Marmalade Pantry does a simple but delicious roasted turkey seasoned with herbs (S$98) and other always-popular carvery meats like Angus ribeye with merlot beef jus (S$88).

Order a festive bundle and you can choose from two sides such as a cauliflower and bulger salad, garlic mash, or roasted winter vegetables, along with one carvery item for S$110.

#01-01 Oasia Hotel Downtown, 100 Peck Seah Street. www.themarmaladepantry.com.sg

HONEY AND TRUFFLE-GLAZED GAMMON HAM FROM THE ST REGIS SINGAPORE

Truffle lovers might find it difficult to turn away from the honey and truffle-glazed gammon ham (S$168), which comes with buttered vegetables, truffle mashed potatoes and wild mushroom sauce.

If you must, there’s also a turkey infused with truffle oil (S$248) accompanied by buttered Brussels sprouts, glazed chestnuts and truffle mashed potatoes.

29 Tanglin Road. www.brasserielessaveurs.com/festive2018

EGGNOG BREAD PUDDING AND CHRISTMAS CHIFFON CAKE FROM SPRMRKT

We love the idea of a hearty bread pudding soaked with boozy eggnog custard and baked till thick and bubbly, with a buttery pastry top (S$38). But if that sounds like too much of an indulgence after a heavy Christmas meal, there’s also a bourbon-infused chocolate Christmas chiffon cake (S$86) cloaked in coconut shavings and prettily decorated with white matcha Christmas tree toppers.

Place your orders at least three days ahead.

41 Robertson Quay. http://sprmrkt.com.sg

HOLIDAY BRANDY FRUIT CAKE FROM SUNDAY FOLKS

The good people at Sunday Folks have made an elegant fruit cake with a light, moist crumb, studded with lush brandy-soaked raisins and dates. Even the snowy white icing is spiked with brandy and topped with pumpkin seeds and dried blueberries.

A single gift box (S$18) serves one to three people, while a double (S$32) is good for four to six.

While you’re at it, grab a box of 55 per cent dark chocolate sea salt honeycomb (S$12 for 100g), which makes a fantastic topping for ice creams, desserts, and even your breakfast cereal. It’s the holidays, isn’t it?

# 01-52 Chip Bee Gardens, 44 Jalan Merah Saga. https://order.sundayfolks.com

WAGYU LASAGNA AND SLOW-ROASTED CRISPY PORK BELLY FROM REGENT SINGAPORE

A bubbly tray of wagyu lasagna (S$128) is exactly the kind of communal Christmas dish that the whole family can dig into. This one is layered with supple sheets of pasta, a rich sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, melted mozzarella and lots of premium wagyu.

For a crunchy, succulent contrast, pick up a fat roll of slow roasted crispy pork belly (S$188) marinated with fennel seeds, blood orange and salty Nocerella olives.

http://shop.regentsingapore.com.sg/

GINGERBREAD HOUSE FROM WILDSEED CAFE

We love the idea of a gingerbread house, but putting one together isn’t always as fuss-free as we’d like to think.

At Wildseed Cafe, you can buy an unassembled gingerbread house for S$38 and try your hand at putting it together in the cafe. That way, if you hit a snag, there’ll be someone onsite to help you.

Otherwise, a fully assembled and decorated gingerbread house is yours to take home for S$50. Regardless of who put it together, the gingerbread house is a charming addition to your holiday table. Available till Dec 30.

3 Park Lane. www.thesummerhouse.sg

TURDUCKEN FROM RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA

For a truly maximalist approach to the holiday meal, look no further than the Turducken (S$268). A whopping 11 kg of a deboned chicken in a deboned duck in a deboned turkey. The meat on meat action is layered with a pork sausage stuffing perfumed with golden raisins, dried cranberries, sage and thyme.

This bird-of-birds takes a whole 12 hours to prepare and comes with a tub of its own tasty jus, some roasted yellow squash, Brussels sprouts, carrots and purple potatoes – because you’ll need the roughage with all that meat! Available until Dec 26.

Seasons Festive Kiosk, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway. www.rwsentosa.com Email [email protected] or call 6577 6567 to order.

Ajax Amsterdam, the four-time European champions, will take on Swiss club Young Boys, while Arsenal face Greek side Olympiakos and Tottenham Hotspur, the third English club to reach the last 16, will tackle Dinamo Zagreb. European debutants Granada of Spain will face Norwegian club Molde while AS Roma face a tough tie against seasoned European contenders Shakhtar Donetsk.

* Werder Bremen’s United States forward Josh Sargent scored the winner as his struggling side came from a goal down at halftime to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday and hand the visitors a first league defeat of the year. Victory moved Werder eight points above the relegation zone while ending fourth-placed Frankfurt’s 11-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga, stretching back to early December.

* Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is recovering and in “good spirits” after he received successful follow-up procedures on injuries sustained this week in a car accident, according to a statement posted to his Twitter account on Friday.

* Dutch driver Nyck De Vries started Formula E’s seventh season with victory for Mercedes in the all-electric world championship’s first night race in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Swiss racer Edoardo Mortara finished four seconds behind for the Monaco-based Venturi team, who also use the Mercedes powertrain, with New Zealander Mitch Evans third for Jaguar.

* Burnley manager Sean Dyche may have no intention of selling goalkeeper Nick Pope anytime soon but crisps and a pint of beer in a pub during lockdown in Britain could tempt him to allow the player to move, the 49-year-old said jokingly on Friday.

* Ferrari Formula One boss Mattia Binotto will not attend all races this season, delegating to racing director Laurent Mekies as the team’s focus turns to making the most of major rule changes for 2022.

* Fernando Alonso will take no part in media activities when his Alpine Formula One team present their new car next Tuesday, with the Spaniard recovering from surgery to his jaw after a road accident, the team said on Friday. The 39-year-old double world champion left hospital on Feb. 15 after being in a collision with a car while cycling near his home in Switzerland.

* Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury which will need surgery, manager Ralph Hasenhuettl said on Friday. The 29-year-old Spaniard was forced off in the 70th minute of Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat by Leeds United.

* Leicester City playmaker James Maddison has been ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal due to a niggling hip issue, manager Brendan Rodgers said. The 24-year-old England international was substituted as a precaution in last weekend’s 2-1 league win at Aston Villa after a recurrence of the hip problem and missed Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Slavia Prague that knocked them out of the Europa League.

* Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is rediscovering his best form after his recent problems on and off the pitch and the Gabon striker’s resurgence gives the team a better chance of being successful, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday. The 31-year-old Aubameyang scored twice, including a late winner, as Arsenal beat Benfica 3-2 on Thursday and 4-3 on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

* West Ham United’s rise to fourth place in the Premier League at this stage of the campaign is down to the big strides they have made under the experienced David Moyes, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday. West Ham, who finished 16th last season, beat London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 last weekend to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four games, pushing themselves into contention for a spot in next season’s Champions League.

* Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is going through a rough patch in front of goal but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday he was confident the Frenchman will rediscover his form on the back of his unquestionable work ethic. Martial was United’s top scorer with 23 goals in all competitions last season but has found the net just seven times so far this term.

* Paris St Germain forward Neymar’s return from injury is on schedule after he was ruled out for four weeks earlier this month with an adductor muscle injury, coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday. The Brazil international has been sidelined since limping off the pitch on Feb. 10 in a French Cup game against Caen, which ruled him out of PSG’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona.

* Ronald Koeman called on Barcelona’s players to step up and reduce the club’s reliance on Lionel Messi for goals ahead of Saturday’s La Liga trip to Sevilla. Messi, 33, has scored 18 times in the league this season with Antoine Griezmann the next highest scorer on six, and once again scored the opening two goals in Wednesday’s league victory over Elche.

* Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United as he has still not recovered from the leg injury that ruled him out of last week’s defeat by Leicester City, manager Dean Smith has confirmed.

* Brighton & Hove Albion wing back Tariq Lamptey will return for Saturday’s Premier League trip to second-bottom West Bromwich Albion after being out for more than two months with a hamstring problem, manager Graham Potter said. Lamptey sustained the injury in a Premier League match against Fulham on Dec. 16.

* Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson will be sidelined for at least five weeks after undergoing groin surgery, the Premier League champions said on Friday. The 30-year-old England international sustained the injury during Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Everton.

Bucharest is like cilantro, a Romanian resident once told me: You either love it or hate it. But there is much to love about a city that provides a less-expensive taste of Europe (Romania is in the European Union but not in the eurozone). Still grappling with allegations of government corruption and working to rebound from layers of grim history, the present-day capital remains a bit rough around the edges but offers a rich ethnic culture, a resurgent arts and crafts scene, beautiful parks and a booming night life.

A DICTATOR’S DIGS

Book in advance for a tour in English at the opulent Ceausescu Mansion, also known as the Spring Palace, which opened as a museum in 2016. A guide walks visitors through the villa where the head of state, Nicolae Ceausescu, and his wife, Elena, lived in relative luxury from 1965 until their execution by firing squad in 1989, after decades of social, political and economic repression.

There is a grand marble staircase, a glitzy bar, a private movie theatre (“He liked to watch ‘Kojak’ but she preferred John Wayne,” our guide said), and a huge walk-in closet still displaying their dated designer clothing. Check out the private spa’s slimming machines and the lavish mosaics surrounding the indoor swimming pool — and remember the Romanians who struggled to survive on rationed food and fuel.

To join a group tour, entry is 50 lei (S$17) a person. Free for war veterans and what the website calls “revolutionaries.”

A TASTE OF ROMANIA

Catapult forward into this century with a drink and an appetiser at Paine si Vin, a casual but sophisticated outpost emphasising natural ingredients from regional butchers and farmers.

The wood-fired flatbread with toppings like blue cheese and mushrooms (32 lei), or salami and eggplant (28 lei), make a nice snack with a glass of Romanian Alira rosé (17 lei). Or two can make a meal out of the charcuterie board of “traditional tastes from local producers” including Mangalita smoked ham, Plescoi mutton sausages, marinated olives, salty Transylvanian sheep’s milk cheese, honey mustard and crunchy veggies (72 lei).

STOMACH STRETCHERS

Save room for the hearty dishes at Caru’ cu Bere (the Beer Wagon), a brewery and restaurant operating for more than a century under various management and now designated a historic monument on the fringe of the late-night Lipscani bar district.

Yes, tour groups do come here, but so do Romanians. If you snag a table inside, be prepared for lots of dark wood and stained glass. In nice weather there is a beer garden atmosphere as waiters carry heavy plates of sarmalute cu mamaliguta (meat-stuffed cabbage rolls, polenta and sour cream, 35 lei) and papanasi (fist-size homemade doughnuts with sweet cheese, sour cream and jam, 21 lei).

Wash it all down with a stein of the house brew or a bottle of Bucharest-based Ursus beer (about 12 lei each or 105 lei for a bucket of 10).

READ: Trendy Jerusalem: Boutique hotels, hip restaurants and buzzy cocktail bars

CONNECT THE DOTS

Some say that centuries of Italian influence on Bucharest survive in the form of its many coffee shops. Origo gets lots of press, but for a spot that is also a co-working space and a fashionable concept store, try Beans & Dots in a refurbished former print shop in the charming Cismigiu neighbourhood.

Sit down with a cold brew and tonic water concoction (14 lei) made by a fashionably bearded barista, remind yourself you are not in Berlin, then browse the shop for silk scarves for 296 lei, or a chic, minimalist tunic by Romanian designer Adelina Ivan for 1,250 lei.

SHOP LOCAL

For more handmade items, take a short stroll over to the jewel-box Mesteshukar Butiq at 7 Edgar Quinet to browse a selection of contemporary housewares and sumptuous leather bags. The items in the shop are a collaboration between designers and Roma craftsmen and women, and are part of an effort to improve the economics of the community.

Check out the pounded-copper earrings (88 lei), the array of copper bowls (350-450 lei) and leather-accented whisk brooms (22 lei).

TO MARKET FOR MICI

Hop on the speedy and inexpensive subway to Obor for a whirl around the fruit, vegetable and housewares market where many a Bucharest home cook stocks up.

Then join a picnic table of shoppers at the Terasa Obor beer garden for a paper plate of mici (grilled meatballs, at 2.5 lei each), a bread roll (0.5 lei) and a slather of spicy mustard.

GO FOR THE GREEN

Walk off lunch with a stroll around Cismigiu Gardens or rent a bicycle and pedal along the broader park’s leafy paths, through hidden alcoves and over picturesque bridges, to see busts of Romanian writers and a granite monument to the hundreds of U.S. soldiers who died in Romania in World War II.

Check out the enclosure of exotic peacocks and the haphazard pile of stone chess tables. If the rink has been installed, try some ice skating. In warmer weather, stop for an ice cream or cotton candy at one of the lakeside kiosks as people row past in rented boats.

A CRAFTY CRAWL

A stretch of the busy Calea Victoriei thoroughfare serves up the chance to sample several drinking holes with minimum effort. Start at Fabrica de Bere Buna at No. 91-93 to try the craft-beer maker’s own Zaganu brand (12 to 14 lei) or a flight of microbrews with names like Immigrant and Sencha by a mix of independent Romanian breweries. (Four smaller servings arrive nestled into a wooden board for 29 lei.)

Segue a bit north to the harder-to-find Gradina Eden (Garden of Eden): Enter the gates to the stately mansion at No. 107 and follow the path to the right to find a woodsy space festooned with lights and bars serving cocktails, smoothies and imported beers. In the mood for more? Exit and (carefully) cross the avenue to Green Hours, a chill bar-bistro-live performance space.

If wine is more your thing, head up to No. 155 and the Vinexpert Wine Bistro to investigate native grapes like Cramposie Selectionata and Feteasca Neagra (9-15 lei a glass).

ROMANIAN RHAPSODY

The Romanian Athenaeum is the landmark home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, named for the composer. It is a stunning neoclassical structure in which to enjoy live music.

The ornate lobby, with its marble columns and twisting staircases, leads to a lush, domed auditorium with seating for about 650 and decorated with a colourful timeline fresco detailing the country’s history.

Pick up tickets at the tiny box office before entering through the main front door. While concerts are usually classical, there have been exceptions, including a recent tribute to Michael Jackson (around 30 to 70 lei).

DUTCH TREAT

There is art on the wall – and on the plate – at the Artist, a white-tablecloth, fine-dining space inside a rustic villa. Romanian-influenced modern cuisine seems to be the goal of the chef, Paul Oppenkamp, who is from the Netherlands but has lived here since 2012.

His website uses words like “emotional” and “playful” to describe his dishes, which helps to explain items like elderflower, tea-cured salmon with vodka and lime jellies. His tasting menus are served in individual spoons, and his dessert of cucumber sorbet involves a scoop added table-side to a marble mortar in which you use a pestle to crush basil, mint and rose petals.

“Spoon” tasting menus cost about 55 lei for appetisers, 76 lei for mains and 38 lei for desserts. There is an extensive Romanian wine list.

READ: Oslo essentials: Where to eat, drink and explore as the city reinvents itself

SUNDAY

THESE OLD HOUSES

How to see other parts of Romania without leaving the capital? The National Village Museum in Herastrau Park showcases more than 270 houses, churches and farm buildings transported from around the country.

The architecture-themed, open-air ethnographic museum combines the quirky and the quaint, allowing visitors to step into the past and inside many of the largely wooden structures, including an 1860 “Hebrew Homestead,” where a sheep farmer and his family in the Maramures region once lived. In keeping with the nature theme, the trash bins are baskets of woven vines.

In an area called the New Village, there are places to sit and snack and a stage for multicultural programs like Thai dancing. Adult entrance costs 15 lei. Free for preschoolers, veterans and the disabled.

A PEASANT EXPERIENCE

One subway stop south is the Romanian Peasant Museum. Although the main building, with its collection of textiles, ceramic and icons, is closed – and is expected to reopen in February after a lengthy renovation – the Peasant’s Club cafe-restaurant and the Peasant Art Gallery gift shop remain open and are good places to grab lunch and browse through the vintage textiles and souvenirs, including woven wool carpets (prices vary by size) and carved wooden spoons (around 25 to 50 lei).

Outside, check out the colorful communist-era mosaic hailing the working class that stretches across the rear facade, and the 18th-century church in the backyard.

LODGING

The newly chic Gradina Icoanei area offers a range of studio and one-bedroom apartments on rental sites, including Airbnb, starting from around US$35 (S$48) a night. Prices around Cismigiu, with its array of trendy coffee houses and greenery, tend to rise to a base of US$45 to US$55.

Romania’s first skyscraper, the 257-room InterContinental Bucharest (4 Bulevardul Nicolae Balcescu), opened in 1971, towering over University Square, a location convenient for walking or taking the subway to many sites.

All the rooms have balconies, which is one reason it was favoured by the foreign press corps that gathered in 1989 to watch the unfolding revolution against the Ceausescu regime. The decor still feels like a pleasant relic of the 70s with a few updates: My room had a king-size bed, an espresso machine, a marble-tiled bathroom with a full-size tub and French L’Occitane toiletries.

There is an indoor pool and sauna on the 22nd floor. The breakfast buffet was impressive, even at an extra 25 euros (S$39). Rooms from about 95 euros.

The Mansion Boutique Hotel (11 Franceza St.) is deep in Bucharest’s Old Town and is a bit challenging to find along a busy street of crowded cafes and loud bars. Each of its 19 rooms has a different theme: art deco, industrial, Ottoman, etc. No elevator. Buffet breakfast for 10 euros. Rooms from about US$110.

At Hotel Cismigiu (Boulevard Queen Elisabeth 38) you get an entire apartment, not just a room. What the modern neutral decor inside the stately art nouveau building lacks in personality, it makes up for in space, with an open-plan kitchen, and a dining and sitting area. Ask for a quieter interior courtyard room. Rooms from about US$110, including breakfast.

Susanne Fowler © 2018 The New York Times

READ: Can’t travel? Here are 9 staycation packages to ring in Christmas and the new year