Melaka is undeniably one of my favorite cities in Malaysia. It is bright, colourful and rich with homegrown galleries, crimson colonial buildings; and gaudy, colourful and loud trishaws.. and yes, I do feel rather at home here in Melaka whenever I visit it….

Anyone who loves historical buildings will love Melaka, because it is after all a historic centre that has officially received the Unesco World Heritage status back in 2008.

I cannot help but admire all these centuries old shophouses and mansions that have since been converted or breathed new life into as galleries, cafes and boutique hotels …

And I am just like a kid in the candy store whenever I am in Melaka City trying to figure out all those  different and unique architectural styles from Peranakan, Portuguese, Dutch and British times which has been so painstakingly preserved.

And so some of the best hotels in Melaka range from these charming eclectic buildings to brand new contemporary built properties….

Whenever I am in Melaka, I cannot resist sightseeing, dining, and shopping there… It is a great place to re-visit the past and no matter how many times I have been there, I never fail to still be amazed by the A’Famosa, Dutch Red Square and St. Paul’s Church.

Of course, if you are there in Malaysia’s unofficial historical capital, you really should stay a night or two there… to be able to indulge in the best Melaka has to offer… and here are 5 of my personal selection of hotels to visit, I have been lucky enough to have stayed in two and so…. I somehow hope to be able to stay in another three of these… heheh… definitely soooo on my bucket list..

The Majestic Malacca

1. For a walk through time, I think The Majestic Malacca is probably one of the best choice you can make while in Melaka

 

It was once a private residence of a Chinese businessman, but well, the 1920s mansion is now part of the luxury hotel run by YTL, with some of the original fixtures maintained, such as the beautiful Straits Chinese tiles at the reception lobby and the colourful stained glass at the entrance of the mansion.

There is a library, an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, four conference rooms and three on-site restaurants round up the hotels facilities, but it is said that guests at the hotel get to enjoy some of its exclusive activities lined up, such a Peranakan cooking class and even a historical walk with a historian…. I really hope to be able to stay there one fine day…

Casa del Rio

2 . Casa del Rio, means Spanish for house by the river. I have been here twice and it is just such an elegant property located along the idyllic Melaka River. Guests will marvel at the Mediterranean-inspired structure and rooms.

The hotel is very impressive. I remember stepping into the courtyard and finding myself slack jawed at the oh so pretty water feature in its courtyard….

Casa del Rio is also very strategically located: within walking distance is the exciting Jonker Walk, just right next to the Dutch Red Square and Hard Rock Café Melaka….

The hotel makes sure your stay will be a memorable one with welcoming gestures such as a warm towel and lime sorbet during check-in, to nyonya treats onde-onde available in-room when you enter and even a little rubber ducky in your bath tub….. oh… take me back there again…. please

The Sterling Boutique Hotel Melaka

3. The Sterling Boutique Hotel Melaka has some pretty luxurious colonial-style boutique rooms in Melaka, and just a short 5 minute walk from the Melaka Cruise Terminal, Jonker Street and the Dutch Red Square. It prides itself as an eco friendly hotel and comes with an open-air cigar bar and a beautiful rooftop restaurant.

The rooms here are said to be spacious and of course, gorgeous… and depending on which room you are getting, may include a spa bathtub or a hot tub.

Private bathrooms also include solar powered hot-water showers. All rooms are inter-connected.

International and local dishes are served at The Loft restaurant. I love the look of this hotel and definitely want to stay here someday too… huhuhu

Holiday Inn Melaka

4. The contemporary Holiday Inn Melaka is a four-star property with an impressive range of hotel amenities to cater for the needs of different types of travellers.

Situated right in the heart of Banda Hilir, Melaka, the Holiday Inn Melaka is perfectly a dream come true for shopping as it is right behind the cluster of shopping centres here in Melaka which would be the Mahkota Parade, Hatten Squares and Shoppes and Dataran Pahlawan, with other world-famous attractions such as The Dutch Red Square and Jonker Street just ten minutes away via car.

Hotel facilities include an outdoor infinity-edge swimming pool (with an accompanying childrens pool), a fully equipped gym, a spa offering reflexology and traditional massages, and two on-site F&B outlets: es.sense Kitchen serving daily Continental buffet breakfast; and Sirocco Italian Kitchen featuring an open kitchen with a wood-fire pizza oven. I have heard a lot of good things about this hotel and this makes me choose this place and yeah… I do want to stay here too, maybe in my next visit…

The Settlement Hotel Melaka

5. The Settlement Hotel Melaka is a very charming boutique hotel which occupies a restored 1960’s 4-storey government building very near to the Portuguese Settlement along Jalan Ujong Pasir, World UNESCO Heritage City Melaka. It is an amazing boutique hotel that showcases the unique intertwined cultures and the rich heritage of Melaka.

The Settlement Hotel boasts a 45-room residence block and 4 traditional kampong villas spread elegantly over a total built-up area of 35,000 square feet of garden and lawn.

Hotel facilities include a lovely swimming pool, the Library spa, a rooftop garden/bar/karaoke place and a small art gallery.. there is a shuttle van that ferries guests from the hotel to the Dutch Red Square every other hour…

Yours truly was there recently and you can read all about it in my blog as well .. and yes, it is such a charming place I want to go back there too….

And so , yes, these is my personal list of the 5 of my favourite hotels in Melaka which I believe everyone should really check out

Hotel pics all credit and taken from traveloka.com