Starry comfort

The Holiday Inn is located by
the historic Straits of Malacca

Place: MELAKA

Hotel: HOLIDAY INN

Melaka, about an hour and a half south of Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the its two UNESCO world heritage sites. The Straits of Malacca have been a very crucial route for east Asian economies, and the sense of history is still there, through a lot of museums and ships replicas strewn around this picturesque city, which unsurprisingly also has some old hotels. 

Well, I got to stay in one of the newest. And it was just the best stay I have had a 4-star hotel anywhere. I was very pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality of this Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn anywhere has a winning combination in their colour scheme – white and lime green, which just makes it more soothing to look at. When I looked up this hotel online, I was a little surprised to see it was away from the centre of old Melaka, but then I realized a walk to Jonkers Street is about 15 minutes if you stop and take pictures on the way! Though I later discovered there are shuttles to the old town from the hotel, and from morning to night! 

The infinity pool and the sea beyond. Just spectacular. 

The views are very good, and even though the sea view was amazing from my room, I actually thought the city view is better, just because Melaka is such a heritage town, and it has been done up beautifully, so what if all of it is not authentically antique! It is next to a large mall, and an adjoining night market. As this is one of the tallest buildings in the city, the views from the higher floors are very rewarding. 

It is a largish hotel, 20 stories, 275 rooms and suites. The lobby is huge and welcoming in warm oriental colours. I was fortunate to visit ahead of the Chinese New Year, when it was additionally done up. There is lots of art all across the public spaces in the hotel. 

A view of es.sense

The all day dining, es.sense is again a nice option for meals. I had a sumptuous breakfast, which had Continental and local options. For a large hotel, it wasn’t that crowded either. The gym is large, the Tea Tree Spa very pretty, though did not try, the pool large. It is an infinity pool, facing the sea.

The room was great too. Spacious, well lit naturally. The white bed was good, and the colours watercolours of Melaka contrasted well. Little touches, like a great platform to keep luggage at a good height, added to the pleasure. It has all the requirements of a business hotel. Most important, the net is easy to connect to. TV, pillows, ample docking stations, alarm clocks, easy to figure out switches(!), ironing board, tea maker, slippers, toiletries – all good. As was the staff in general.