Most of us have taken that two-hour drive to Malacca at least once, queued up for chicken rice balls under the hot sun just for the sake of its novelty, and behaved like tourists while prowling the night market along Jonker Street. Taking a weekend getaway to Malacca has become a rather familiar and fuss-free affair, especially for those residing in Kuala Lumpur.
If you’re thinking of a quick getaway to Malacca, whether for the food or to soak up the colonial charm, you’ll definitely need a place to spend a night or two in. We’ve chosen six accommodations for all budgets that are not only situated in or nearby Jonker Street:
For luxury and relaxation:
Majestic Malacca Hotel – 5*
188 Jalan Bunga Raya 75100 Melaka,
Malacca City Center, Melaka, Malaysia
This award winning hotel is an epitome of modern luxury and functionality coupled with classic, colonial architecture. It is also within walking distance of popular attractions in the heart of Melaka. Rooms at Majestic Malacca Hotel offer views of the Malacca River and the quaint, traditional Kampung Morten Village. Guests can also indulge in the hotel’s Spa Village Malacca – what is said to be the world’s only spa to base its therapies on the healing heritage of Peranakan culture. Australian visitor Marlene A. commented on Agoda.com, “Coming into Majestic Malacca Hotel felt like stepping back at least a century in time, but with the conveniences of modern living.”
Casa Del Rio Hotel – 5*
88 Jalan Kota Laksamana,
75200, Jonker Street, Melaka, Malaysia
This Mediterranean-inspired boutique hotel is as luxurious as it is strategically located – on Jonker Street itself, overseeing the idyllic Melaka River. The hotel offers a perfect blend of heritage from the Portuguese and the Melaka Sultanate. Known for its spacious rooms and great service, Casa Del Rio’s Satkara Spa would be a treat for the ladies after a long day out, while the hotel’s River Grill and River Café offer a fantastic riverside dining experience. A review on Agoda.com by Singaporean visitor Li. T reads, “We were given a room that faced the fountain, river and highway – it was amazing. Check-in was quick and staff took the trouble to walk through the room with us, explaining all amenities available. Service was impeccable.”
For best value:
Hotel Puri Melaka – 3*
118 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
Jonker Street, Malacca / Melaka, Malaysia 75200
Originally built in 1882, this historical Peranakan house has been restored to its former glory. It is now one of the most popular hotels in Melaka today, strategically located on the famed Jonker Street itself. Rated a “Fantastic” 8.1 over 10 by guests on Agoda.com, US tourist Shane H. says, “The most attractive part of this hotel is the design. Each piece of furniture, decoration, or knick knack lying around seemed to be a walk through history.” Hotel Puri is ideal for a weekend getaway to explore Jonker Street and its nearby historical attractions. Sipping afternoon tea at its charming Helonica Garden Café is very pleasant and relaxing after a day of sightseeing, while its Spa Centre is a great way to get pampered and unwind after taking on the Jonker night market.
Jonker Boutique Hotel – 3*
No. 82-86 A&B, Jalan Tokong,
Jonker Street, Malacca / Melaka, Malaysia 75200
Jonker Boutique Hotel, also located on Jonker Street, is one of the busiest hotels in Melaka today for good reason. The hotel is known for its contemporary interior design, spacious rooms, cleanliness, and attentiveness of the hotel staff. Jonker Boutique Hotel also provides parking spaces, which can be quite a challenge to find when visiting Jonker Street. The most distinctive quality of Jonker Boutique Hotel has to be its fantastic service. Both word of mouth and online customer reviews indicate that the hotel workers are friendly, warm and attentive. Boasting a “Fantastic” rating of 8.5 out of 10, many of the 253 customer reviews on Agoda.com only have good things to say about Jonker Boutique Hotel. However, with its popularity comes a high occupancy rate, so if you don’t want to miss out the great value, convenience and warmth that Jonker Boutique Hotel offers, be sure to book early!
For a cultural experience on a budget:
Café1511 – 1*
52 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
Jonker Street, Malacca / Melaka, Malaysia 75200
Originally built in 1896, Cafe1511 is a quaint and culturally-rich guesthouse with six bedrooms, all furnished and equipped with basic amenities. It is also a “Living Museum”, sharing the same building (and owners) with the popular Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. With many pieces of antique furniture and artefacts within the property, Cafe1511 only accepts guests who are 18 and above – making it ideal for solo travellers or small groups looking for an encounter with heritage and great value for money. The rooms also do not have en suite bathrooms, but the shared bathrooms are clean and decent.
The Baba House – 2*
No 121 – 127 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
Jonker Street, Malacca / Melaka, Malaysia 75200
This distinctive boutique hotel on Jonker Street is a charming embodiment of traditional Chinese Baroque and Palladian style architecture. Inside The Baba House, guests will find antique furniture, Chinese Victorian and Dutch design cues and an authentic historical ambiance that is not easily found in modern day Melaka. Leisure facilities like the Baba Café, a massage centre, and its Sunshine Courtyard are available at the hotel at great value. While the hotel promises to transport guests back to bygone eras, some of the inconveniences of those bygone eras are still present, as highlighted by some of the reviews we’ve read on Agoda.com.
It appears that some of the hotel’s basic amenities require attention and maintenance. But having an attractive price point, coupled with its distinctive historical and colonial charm, The Baba House remains as one of our highly recommended hotels in Melaka.
