I'M a little unclear exactly what a 'lifestyle' hotel is, but if this is a term that you use and understand; the Rosa Malacca is a designer lifestyle hotel, purpose-built for you.
This relatively new hotel offers a rustic industrial loft design with an abundance of raw materials such as exposed bricks and cement, recycled timber, rustic wooden beams and roughly-hewn floorboards.
The hotel's eight-storey façade also exudes an urban industrial vibe with its brick walls and blackened steel balconies and windows.
The boutique hotel has set out to be a fun venue and a social hub with a story to tell of the heritage city's early history interspersed with a hip New York urban vibe.
There are numerous locations in the hotel to capture the moment on camera and disseminate these images to your envious friends (don't forget the views from the rooftop).
Melaka has many accommodation options from international brands to intimate heritage retreats but Rosa Malacca fills a niche as a design hotel.
STAY
Continuing its design theme, the hotel's rooms are described as 'lifestyle focused'. Upon opening their guestroom door, most guests will instantly notice the over-sized room number painted on the back wall and other design details throughout the room like the large lounge chair and quirky pillows.
The hotel has just 60 rooms, in room setups of deluxe (double or twin beds spaced at 27m2), premium (double or family at 40m2) and suite (48m2). My room is a deluxe king and is more than adequate for two guests to cohabitate in comfort.
The expansive bed has fluffy pillows and colourful cushions, placed against the stark grey concrete walls. While the room initially looks dark, ample light is generated by the bedside and free-standing lamps.
Some rooms, like mine, face an internal courtyard that extends from the ground floor to the top of the building enabling dappled light to enter. This light is adequately blocked out in the morning by opaque curtains.
The black and white theme continues into the bathroom where a glassed-in shower features a rainforest shower head as well as a wall-mounted nozzle.
Shower gel and shampoo are delivered from dispensers. There is a well-illuminated mirror, a magnifying mirror and Rosa-branded towels.
The hotel's limited television offerings are not a major concern especially as the WiFi is adequate. There is a safe, wooden coat-hangers in a large open storage area, an un-stocked mini-fridge and a kettle.
An iron and a petite ironing board are ingeniously concealed inside a drawer. Complimentary instant coffee, tea and mineral water are offered. An extended benchtop and a retro iron chair are satisfactory for using my laptop.
Mysteriously, the benchtop power point (for local appliances only; not those with international plugs) is concealed within a drawer. The black and white artwork adds to the room's detailing.
EAT
Bica & Co Café (open from 7.30am to 11pm) on level one serves local halal and Western treats. The café has an air-conditioned section with a glass wall to allow sunlight in and an alfresco dining section in a central courtyard.
The breakfast buffet, while not as expansive as those in larger hotels, is interesting enough.
Diners can enjoy Nasi Lemak and Kuey Teow Goreng plus continental offerings such as cereals, pastries, sausages and scrambled eggs.
Local coffee, tea and juices are also served and those who need an enriched caffeine shot can also purchase more refined and flavoursome coffee.
The café remains open throughout the day and I enjoy dining here one evening with the menu offering dishes typical of a Chili's or TGIF outlet. The Chicken Fire Cracker Wings (RM28) are especially recommended for those who enjoy ultra-spicy dishes.
Enjoy culinary treats such as sweet potato fries (RM16), Beef Rendang Pizza (RM26) and a Bica Beef Burger (RM32). The restaurant and hotel are alcohol-free.
DO
Dine in-house, visit the rooftop for excellent city views (aim for sunset) and consider purchasing house-branded merchandise (T-shirts, pillows and towels) from the RS General Store located beside the reception counter.
There is a small gym on the rooftop with adequate equipment to burn some calories.
GO
The Rosa Malacca is located to the south of the Malacca River on Jalan Parameswara one of the main roads that lead out of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There aren't that many tourist attractions around the hotel but there are several dining outlets within a short walk.
The property is reasonably close to the State Mosque perched on reclaimed land just offshore. It is a one-kilometre walk to A'Famosa and a little further to Melaka's heritage heartland.
The hotel is located equidistant between the two old protective forts of St. John's and A'Famosa.
The Malaysian Prison Museum is a 300m walk away and Mahkota Parade is just a kilometre away for those with shopping withdrawal symptoms while holidaying in Melaka.
One big feature of the hotel is that it has ample, easy and complimentary ground level parking so using your car to visit most tourist attractions is possible although walking is a better option.
Leave the car in the spacious hotel carpark and walk to the historic UNESCO World Heritage core zone; you will feel better for the exercise, avoid an anxious time in finding city parking and lower your carbon footprint.
VERDICTS
HIGHS The hotel is on a scale where staff can offer personalised service and its interiors keep presenting nice little design surprises. Views from the open eighth floor rooftop offer a 360-degree perspective of historic Melaka.
LOWS Exposed concrete and a raw finish may not have universal appeal but for design-conscious travellers, Rosa Malacca ticks all the boxes. However, such travellers could also be more demanding in their television and in-room coffee requirements. Sadly, it's a mocktail-only property; cocktails are not served. Leave your swimmers at home; there is no pool.
FAST FACTS
ROSA MALACCA
212 Jalan Parameswara
Melaka
TEL 06-281-9888
EMAIL info@rosa.com.my
WEBSITE www.rosa.com.my
Explore Bandaraya Melaka at cheaper rates using Klook Voucher.