Life is good when in the heart of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage City. Travellers can enjoy scrumptious local delicacies especially that vibrant Peranakan cuisines, strolling around the historical areas while appreciating all the details and greeting warm locals along the way and enjoying the romantic atmosphere during the night along the charming Melaka River. After all of that, nothing is well-deserved than a pleasant and an excellent accommodation which is when the newly-opened Courtyard by Marriott Melaka comes to mind.
Courtyard by Marriott Melaka officially opened its door just in April this year and fast to become the talk of the town not only because of its highly-anticipated opening as Marriott Bonvoy’s 40th property in Malaysia, but also because of the impeccable services it offers.
As I entered the lobby of this 28-storey hotel, I was greeted by a spacious reception area filled with lots of warm palettes coming from the installed lights and natural sunlight.
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The centrepiece of this reception area must be the extensive rattan seatings where travellers can lounge while waiting for the room cards. It is huge but should travellers want to seat more comfortably, then they can simply walk to the all-day dining restaurant, The Courtyard Cafe, or 1939 Lounge, all located at the same lobby floor.
The check-in process was smooth and it was only a matter of minutes before I found myself in a cozy, commodious guest room with a contemporary design. It high ceiling gives the window a more grandiose frame of the historic city and the serene warm hues aptly evokes the sense of tranquillity. I was just planning to sit on the king-sized bed after putting off my bag but seconds after, I could not resist myself from lying on it. It was very plush and ineluctably beckoning!
The room is well-equipped with all the necessary conveniences including an LED television, a safe, a minibar, a mini fridge, bathroom amenities and a complimentary wifi. I particularly fond of the circular desk with an ergonomic chair that efficiently gave me an ample space to collect my thoughts and complete my desk-bound work.
It is good to know that Courtyard by Marriott Melaka also offers event spaces, be it for meetings, gatherings, or weddings. It has as many as eight event spaces located on level 7, including a pillarless Grand Ballroom that can be divided into three smaller ballrooms. Each room comes with up-to-the-minute facilities and impeccable services such as AV equipment that includes three LED panels, dedicated event services team and tailormade catering menus.
One afternoon, I decided to try out their pool. For Courtyard by Marriott Melaka, the swimming pool is located at Level 8 and it instantly became my favourite part of the hotel largely due to the nostalgic view of Melaka city it offers that was truly unforgettable. It is an infinity pool, so I spent quite sometimes admiring this vibrant city from the pool’s edges.
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The poolside terrace offers plenty of pool chairs so travellers who want to sunbathe can easily do so here. Just next to it, there is a children’s pool provided. It is quite sizable with even a splash fountain so kids will surely have a great time frolicking around here.
Sharing the same floor is a 24-hour fitness centre outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities such as cardiovascular and strength equipment as well as free weights offering health-conscious guests an excellent space to get their fitness fix.
There will be no reason to have an empty stomach when staying at this Courtyard by Marriott Melaka as the hotel’s The Courtyard Cafe offers flavourful selections of local and international fares all day. I also commended the restaurant’s spaciousness which can accommodate bunch of guests comfortably, be it at its al fresco or indoor dining area. Though I only got the chance of trying out their hearty breakfast spread, I found it to be very uplifting for me to start exploring the city.
Speaking about exploring, thanks to the hotel’s strategic location, which is one of its strongest features, there are myriads of things that can be carried out, especially when it comes to food hunting. There are a lot of restaurants, cafes and stalls nearby with lots of options which will definitely spoil hungry travellers.
If you are into Peranakan cuisines, then head out to Atlantic Nyonya in Jalan Kubu (six minutes by car) which serves mouthwatering traditional delicacies such as Ponteh Chicken, Buah Keluak Chicken, Ikan Nyonya Asam and Ulam Bendi. For a taste of Chinese heritage cuisine, drop by at Lim Jit Chicken Rice Ball (five minutes by car) to taste the legendary chicken rice balls (yes, it is literally ball-shaped). For seafood lovers, Ikan Bakar Muara Sungai Duyung (13 minutes by car) is just one of the many recommended restaurants when it comes to fresh seafoods. They will be cooked in local styles making the seaside restaurant which offers a calming sunset view, not only a treat for the eyes but also the tongue.
As Melaka is known for its splendid heritage and cultural attractions, it is only agreeable for travellers to stroll around its friendly neighborhoods and byways and spend time visiting age-old shophouses while meeting some talented artisans. A visit to this historical area is not complete without paying a visit to some of the state’s iconic landmarks including A’ Famosa, St. Paul Hill and the Red Square. To make it even more meaningful, ride on a classic ride shaw around the town and do not hesitate to have a start a chat with the rider.
If the recommendations are too mainstream or they are something you already ticked-off of your bucket list, then make a way to some other interesting places or activities. Like myself, I spent time visiting museums and one that really caught my attention was the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, a house-turned-museum acquired by the Chan family in 1861 which gave me a glimpse into the life of a Peranakan family back in the late 19th-century and early 20th-century Malaya. I also walked on foot to the history-rich Jalan Tukang Emas which strongly resonates the harmonious coexistence between three main religions since more than 200 years ago. It is along this street, fondly referred to as ‘Harmony Street’, where Kampung Kling Mosque (for Muslims), Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple (for Hindus) and Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (for Buddhists) lie and are still used by their respective pilgrims until today.
I have said it many times, but I would still emphasise that the Melaka River at night is so romantic. Colourful lights will be lit up along the river revealing a totally different scenery from the day and one can find numerous restaurants, bars, and cafes along the river. I have experienced Melaka River Cruise few times before, but I repeated the cruise on my recent trip because it was worthwhile. If it is your first time, this cruise is certainly one of the best ways to get to know Melaka.
If the list is not enough and you are still wondering on ‘where to eat’ and ‘what to do’, worry not as you may casually ask the attentive staffs who are mostly locals as they might just tell you some hidden gems you never imagine you would discover in Melaka.
Exploring Melaka city can be tiresome as they are so many things to explore and experience. But it will not be much of a hassle when staying at Courtyard by Marriott Melaka. After spending hours outside, I made my way back to the hotel from Melaka River only by foot before washing up myself under its strong rain shower and be recumbent on its plush beddings to call it a day.
Now, life is good when in the heart of Melaka – no doubt. But life is good when staying at Courtyard by Marriott Melaka too.
For more information, log on to Courtyard by Marriott Melaka’s website or call +606 221 2288.
