Rosa Malacca
Monica Tindall
Describing themselves as a “designer lifestyle hotel,” Rosa Malacca promises a stay that is just a little out of the ordinary.
Location
Rosa Malacca is located about one and a half kilometres from the popular Jonker Street Market and around 900 metres from A Famosa (the Portuguese Fortress ruins). It’s far enough removed from the traffic and bustle to be relaxing but still easily accessed if you don’t mind a stroll or a short Grab ride. On the other hand, it might encourage you to explore some different areas of the city such as the Portuguese Settlement or nearby shopping malls.
If you’re a tourist heading to Malacca for the very first time you probably want to stay in a heritage hotel such as The Majestic and connect with the history of the area. If, however, you’ve been before and are popping over for a few day’s escape, Rosa Malacca is an ideal change of scenery. Bright and contemporary, with distinctive design elements, it is an Instagrammer’s dream.
We find the foundation raw and industrial yet very pleasing to the eye and comfortable. Materials such as clay bricks, cement rendering, upcycled wood and metal are softened with naturally hued fabrics and cotton surfaces. The overall mood is cool and calm, a direct contrast to the heat and busy-ness found in the surrounding streets.
Rooms
Sixty guest rooms are just the right number to offer individuality in service but efficiency in function. The staff offer warm and friendly greetings each day and are happy to give advice on the surrounding area or recommend something from the café menu.
Our stay is in the Premier King Room, a compact 40 sqm. There’s space enough for an extra bed but you can also request this one with a connecting room if staying as a family. The bathroom is separate and can be closed off with a solid door. We appreciate this element lessening the likelihood that we’ll disturb each other with our different sleeping schedules.
The king bed (that has a good balance of cushion and support) has been custom made and so too have the amenities. Integrated branding is fine-tuned down to the last detail, including the slippers!
The bathroom offers both rain and hand-held showerheads and the water is high-pressured and instantly hot. The dual basins and make-up mirror are well noted too.
Tea and coffee making facilities offer basic instant Nescafe and tea but their café downstairs, Bica & Co, has decent beans and a serious espresso machine. Refillable pumps of body wash and a two-in-one conditioner and shampoo in the bathroom are much appreciated for the role they play in the reduction of single-use plastic. The same can’t be said for water though, which comes in tiny plastic bottles with no option to refill, not even in the gym. Zero-wasters be warned to bring a big bottle from home.
Facilities
The rooftop offers 360 views of the city and out to the sea. It’s lovely and fresh up here and would make a great cocktail event space. The gym is also located on the top floor, and, although small, is rarely used and offers enough cardio and strength equipment to keep fitness goals in progress.
Food and Beverage – Bica & Co Café
Housed within Rosa Malacca is Bica & Co Café – a popular spot to take photos with its very agreeable surrounds. Often guests don’t sign up for a breakfast package in Malacca as there are so many options on the street that foodies want to try. The setting is so attractive here though, that many change their mind and add on brekkie as an inclusion.
Breakfast is a choice of three western meals or three local meals. Eggs, French toast, noodles and rice are all on the cards. It’s supported by a light buffet of cereal, fruit, pastries and yoghurt and free-flow tea and coffee.
When you’re ready to explore (and once you’ve done the touristy things), do check out our Malacca section for restaurants, cafes and bars on our hot list – all of which are around a RM5 Grab ride from Rosa Malacca (way better than suffering parking and traffic!).
Reasons to stay in Rosa Malacca: a pleasing design setting – Instagrammers will love this place; clean; instant hot, high-pressured shower; excellent bedding; fast free Internet; friendly staff.
Rosa Malacca
212 Jalan Parameswara
75000 Melaka, Malaysia
rosa.com.my
+6 06 2819 888
+6 012 9011 626
[email protected]
Find more spots to explore in Malacca here and stay up to date with the happenings around Malaysia here and here.
Looks like a lovely place
That’s quite near Jonker. Breakfast looks decent.
We stayed there our last visit. Really fun & quirky hotel and remember the staff were all lovely
What a beautiful place to get away! And I love that view of the courtyard. But the bathroom sinks make me uneasy. I’d be afraid of cracking the bowls.
I always love it when there are his and hers sinks 🙂
I like this simple and neat design.
Rooms look rather dark though.
More daylight would be lovely.