Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka

The Majestic Malacca – Weekend Escape from KL

The Majestic Malacca

Monica Tindall

The most iconic stay for luxury travellers to Malacca is without doubt The Majestic Malacca. The restoration of the heritage building ensures history is honoured and a promise to remember an era long gone. Furthermore, the location, a little removed from noisy Jonker Street on the side of the Malacca River, makes the stay tremendously convenient for those wanting to explore the city’s sites.

The Majestic Malacca
Malacca River near Jonker Street

The Majestic Malacca – Getting There

Malacca is an easy weekend getaway from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Located just two hours south of KL and three hours north of Singapore on an excellent highway, either a Friday night zip down the road after work, or Saturday morning start allows plenty of time to get a good taste of what the township has to offer. Eating, shopping and historical sightseeing are the highlights, and for those who enjoy alternating the streets with a splash of luxury, The Majestic Malacca furnishes stellar respite.

The Majestic Malacca
The Majestic Malacca Lobby
The Majestic Malacca
The Library

Malacca

Arriving late afternoon we drop our bags at The Majestic Malacca and head straight for the main drag. It’s an 800-metre walk through a bustling shopping street, or a slightly longer but more peaceful stroll along the riverside. Jonker Street, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become a tad touristy with its pre-war Peranakan residences spilling onto the streets with things-to-buy of all sorts. Despite the commercialisation of the district however, there is still plenty of charm to be found in its alleyways, kitchens, museums and architecture. A spot of antique browsing, a bit of café hopping, and getting our tummy’s worth of Nyonya laksa and chicken rice balls (we give the dodol – durian candy a miss), fills a good few hours pleasantly. In addition to street food, Malacca is also home to a handful of cool cafes, restaurants and bars. Find some of our top picks here.

Jonker Street, Melaka
Jonker Street
Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka
Malacca River – Footsteps from the Hotel

Rooms & Facilities

Having enough action for one day we head back to the calm of the hotel. A building with a colourful history, the property has been meticulously restored by YTL Hotels. A grand white façade marks the entrance to the original tiled flooring, antique furniture, and a fine assemblage of Peranakan collector’s items. Housing 54 rooms, a signature restaurant, adequately stocked gym, pool and a fabulous spa (still closed following the pandemic, but due to reopen December 1), it’s one of the most elegant places to stay in Malacca.

The highlight of our room is an old-school claw-foot bathtub. A marble vanity and solid shower fittings with good pressure back up the sense of luxe. A comfy four poster king bed, small sitting area decked with antique furniture and carefully chosen room adornment, set the scene for an enjoyable stay and peaceful evening of rest.

Of special note since our last visit is the reduction of single-use plastic. Now shampoo and body wash are in refillable pumps and water comes in reusable glass bottles. We applaud the effort that not only lessens the hotel’s impact on the environment but also makes for a more luxurious customer experience.

Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka
Room
The Majestic Malacca
Bathroom
The Majestic Malacca
Clawfoot Bathtub
Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka
The Majestic Malacca

The Mansion

The hotel’s signature restaurant, The Mansion, serves breakfast and dinner. Awakening to views of the city (from our top-floor room we can see both the sea and the river), we head over for the morning meal. A simple buffet of local and continental dishes – just enough to fill our tummies and prepare us for the morning’s activity – is supported by eggs made a la minute. Later in the evening, we revisit to sample a treasury of family recipes from the lesser-known Malaccan cultural heritage of the Kristang.

The Mansion presents the opportunity to taste Kristang cuisine with roots in a 500-year-old fusion of cultures. Its people, the Kristang, are descendants of early Portuguese settlers who married the local people of Malacca in the 16th and 17th centuries. The cuisine blends local flavours from Malay, Chinese and Indian with Portuguese influence, giving unique fragrances and spices to their recipes.

I’m unable to make dinner, so hubby reports for me, noting one of the highlights as the Kristang Amostrador (RM45) – a platter of three different appetisers – Inchimintu Karangezu, Cincalok Fretu and Karing Karing Fretu. The first is a shell filled with crab meat, chicken and vegetables baked in the oven. It’s rich in flavours from the ocean, with vegetables providing some sweetness. The second bite sees crispy fried silver threadfin fish presented in a small shot glass with homemade chilli sauce. It’s super tasty and fills the mouth with crunch. Lastly, the fried fritters of fermented krill are sweet and savoury in one bite. They would make a great snack for a Netflix binge.

For the mains, hubby recommends the Kari Malayu (RM55), simmered beef and cabbage bulked up with potatoes in a fragrant spice-laden coconut gravy. He reports it as comfortable on the palate (he is spice-aversive), full of tender meat and veg and with a lovely aroma of coconut.

He wrapped up dinner with the Bolo Sugee (RM 30), a traditional Kristang dessert. It’s a sweet semolina cake, generous in portion, and closed the meal well with a hot cup of tea.

The Majestic Malacca
Breakfast at The Mansion
Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka
Kristang Cuisine at The Mansion
Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka
Kristang Dessert – The Majestic Malacca

Historical Walk – The Majestic Malacca

Focused on food, coffee, food and shopping on yesterday’s jaunt around the city, we take a relook at the town centre the following morning. This time however, we explore with a historical perspective as gifted through the eyes of our guide. Complimentary historical walks are available for guests (with prior booking) at The Majestic Malacca, and if this is your first time visiting the town, or even if you’ve been before but had differing aspirations as did we, it’s a refreshing change of outlook. Alternatively, you might sign up for a Kristang  Culinary Journey,  with a visit to the local market followed by a cooking class.

Historical Walk Melaka
Historical Walk

Relaxation

Returning from our stroll and with the the sun heavy on the pavement we decide it time to try out some of the facilities at the hotel and take up a spot poolside. Lined with sun chairs and lush gardens, it’s a glorious locale to refresh and unwind.

Luxury Boutique Hotel Melaka
Pool
Pool at The Majestic Malacca
Pool at The Majestic Malacca

Kristang Afternoon Tea – The Majestic Malacca

Famished from all that relaxing we’ve been doing, we get our another taste of Kristang cuisine with an afternoon tea. It’s such great value for money (2 pax RM 120) compared to KL prices and high quality, it might even warrant the trip from Kuala Lumpur to try it. Highlights here are their house-made Portuguese egg tarts and the glutinous rice with their own kaya (coconut jam).

The Majestic Malacca
Kristang Afternoon Tea
The Majestic Malacca
The Library

Relaxed, satiated and inspired we have fully enjoyed our stay, and will carry with us memories of a vibrant cuisine and culture, which has proudly stood the test of time and continues to thrive and evolve at The Majestic Malacca.

Luxury Boutique Hotel The Majestic Malacca0
Luxury Boutique Hotel – The Majestic Malacca

Reasons to visit The Majestic Malacca: a heritage stay embraced in luxury with warm, gracious service; great location by the river.

The Majestic Malacca
188 Jalan Bunga Raya
75100 Melaka, Malaysia
+6 06 289 8000
[email protected]
www.majesticmalacca.com

15 Comments

  1. Yes, I’ve heard they’ve one there, a touch of class. So love that colonial building up front. Poached eggs were absolutely perfect!!!

  2. Is kebaya making a comeback?
    I miss outdoor pools so much!
    Have they started the KL-SG high speed train project yet?
    This is going to take forever, our PM is a busy man. 😉
    GE next year right? Very busy then, still haven’t found the aeroplane.
    Lau kwee, you know, malu.

  3. What a beautiful and soothing setting, Monica! I love everything about this place and besides the ambiance, the dishes look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

  4. This is certainly a luxurious, perfect short getaway from KL with sumptuous Kristang cuisine. Two words…..simply majestic! ^o^

  5. Love to indulge in their spa, babe! TGIF! xoxo

  6. it’s so so beautiful..

  7. I know I would sleep well in one of those beds.
    Coffee is on

  8. Hello, what a classy place. I would enjoy staying there and being a little pampered. The spa, bar and food all look fabulous. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

  9. Looks amazing) Have a nice weekend)
    http://beyoutiful.com.ua

  10. I love to visit Malacca. Its been a long time since I last visited. Love the food too.

  11. Wonderful review and stunning photos 🙂

  12. In such interiors it’s wonderful to rest after the trip.

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