The Majestic Malacca

"How did it strike you on arrival?Its main building used to be the home of a rich tycoon, which is why the Majestic Malacca still resembles a private mansion. Set back from the road behind a low wall, the 1920s building is both stately and slightly imperious (put it down to the manicured bonsai tree in the driveway). The inside resembles someone’s ornately decorated home with its Victorian porcelain tiles, Peranakan antiques, and clusters of comfy seating. And the staff are just as beautifully dressed in kebayas—traditional Peranakan costume. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Older couples, young families. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.A fairly spacious (388 square feet) Deluxe Room, which came with a four-poster bed and a clawfoot bathtub. The bedroom and bathroom were separated by a wooden screen, which could be folded for a more open-concept space. The floors were solid teak, the drapes were silk, and there was a chaise lounge by the floor-to-ceiling window where I could sit and take in the view of the Melaka River. Very sumptuous, particularly for a lead-in category room. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Plopping onto the king-size bed each night was a treat—the bed was firm and the sheets cool and smooth. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?That delightfully whimsical clawfoot tub isn’t small, but it would be the first thing I’d steal if I could! Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.The water pressure of the shower was a bit inconsistent. But who’s showering anyway, with that tub in the room? A good soak in it with the wooden screen folded back and the TV on is the perfect end to a day exploring blisteringly hot Melaka. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Slow in certain areas, but free. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The lobby level tea lounge serves up an Instagrammable feast of local snacks at tea time, while the hotel’s Melba at the Mansion restaurant offers authentic Kristang cuisine (Malaccan-Portuguese) by an award-winning chef. There’s also a charming bar designed to look like a colonial European saloon, and a spa considered one of Malacca’s best (if also one of its priciest). Bottom line: worth it, and why?It’s a beautiful hotel with a great story and strong cultural link to Melaka, not to mention the town’s most comfortable stay." - Audrey Phoon

"A hotel that used to be the home of a rich tycoon, offering a stately experience with Victorian porcelain tiles, Peranakan antiques, and staff dressed in traditional kebayas." - Audrey Phoon