Never heard of Malacca? Let’s change that. The oldest city in Malaysia, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colonial-era architecture, specialty dishes and ancient trading lore. A bowl of the city’s signature Nyonya laksa alone is worth the two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.
Once you arrive, The Majestic Malacca, a member of Relais & Châteaux, is the city’s most luxurious place to stay. This 54-room boutique hotel is split between the original white and turquoise 1920s Straits Settlement mansion and a newer matching tower that houses its rooms.
Divided into three categories, its rooms and spacious suites are a thoughtful throwback to yesteryear with teak flooring and furniture, Chinese porcelain lamps, crown molding, four-poster beds and a silk chaise lounge. Modern touches like a clawfoot tub atop black and white chequered marble tiles and floor-to-ceiling river views add a more sumptuous feel.
But the true highlight of a stay at this historic hotel is soaking in the grandeur of the 1929 mansion. Built by local tycoon Leong Long Man, the original Victorian mosaic tiles and colorful scalloped stained glass windows are still in pristine condition. After his death, it was bought and converted into a hotel in the 1950s, known to host the country’s most elite politicians and businessmen. Over the next few decades, it became dilapidated until a buyout and major renovation in 2008 restored it to its former glory, welcoming international guests eager to explore the famed riverside town.
Sip on a pandan-infused gin cocktail from its cocktail cart in the lobby bar or on a rattan chair on the hotel’s outdoor porch. Grab a book from the library and snack on Peranakan sweets during afternoon tea. Once the sun sets over the Malacca River, head upstairs to the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Mansion, for one of the world’s rarest cuisines. The chefs here serve Kristang food, a blend of Portuguese and Malaysian, created by Malacca’s dwindling Creole ethnic group. Fiery sambal fried rice, slow-cooked beef shin curry and rich buah keluak (a local nut) curry are a few signature dishes.
The Majestic Malacca also features a small spa, gym, and outdoor pool, perfect for relaxing after a day of walking around the nearby Old Town and busy Jonker Street under the hot Malaysian sun.
Top Takeaways
Location: Malacca, Malaysia
Rating: Five-star
The Vibe: Heritage charm and elegance ooze from every historic corner.
Food + Drink: Breakfast is served in the hotel’s only restaurant, The Mansion. It’s an à la carte menu with a selection of dishes, including a Malaysian-style omelet, roti canai, nasi lemak and classic English fry-up. But the food really shines at dinner time when a variety of traditional Kristang dishes emerge from the kitchen. A unique cuisine stemming from Malacca’s Portuguese Creole ethnic group, you’ve likely never tasted flavors like this. Try the Kari Seccu, slow-cooked beef and potatoes in a dry Portuguese curry, or Tambrinhyu, pan-fried prawn in a tangy tamarind sauce.
Amenities: Spa; restaurant; lounge; bar; fitness center; outdoor pool; library; complimentary parking; concierge; limousine transfer; postage and courier; laundry service; valet service; babysitting upon request; doctor-on-call; guided walks and cooking classes available on request.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: It is a tie between the hotel’s history, evident in its 1920s antique furniture and original ornate Victorian floor tiles, and its Kristang food, a special cuisine few people have ever tried.
Any personal neighborhood recs? In Malacca, it’s all about the food. Make a left from the gates of the Majestic Malacca and walk ten minutes to Baba Kaya. Famous for their creamy Nyonya laksa, request a table on the balcony and slurp your soup while the boats whiz by. Around the corner, stop into Sin See Tai for a seriously quality cup of coffee and locally-inspired pastries. And on the weekends, jump in line with the rest of Malacca for the city’s most popular donuts.
What’s nearby? All of Malacca’s top sites are a ten to fifteen-minute walk away: Jonker Street; Cheng Hoon Teng Temple; Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum; Dutch Square; Christ Church Malacca, The Royal Press.
Rooms: 54
Pricing: Rates start at $120 per night.
Closest Airport: Malacca International Airport (MKZ)
