WHEN -

June to November is fine. The temperature and humidity don't vary much month to month. October to March are the wettest months and May to July are generally the drier months.

STAY -

• Casa del Rio in Melaka ***** - 

• Mediterranean style riverside hotel just a short walk away from the heart of the UNESCO heritage listed historic old town

• Beautiful grounds with palm trees and water fountains

• 3 pools including rooftop infinity pool with swim up bar, rooftop terrace, sun loungers 24 hour hotel shop

• There are 8 room categories divided into rooms and suites -  how about trying the Royal Suite or the Presidential Suite, it is the only hotel located on the bank of the Melaka River, spacious balconies with outdoor furniture

• Welcome sorbet, snack and cold towel on check in - free shuttle service - check in 3 pm - check out 12 pm

ABOUT -

Fly 

into Kuala Lumpur and spend a few nights there or head straight down to Melaka. The historical centre is small and it's easy enough to walk every where you want to go.

ADD ONS -

Spend a few nights in Luala Lumpur in a nice hotel near Changkat Bukit Bintang and Jalan Alor - see Malaysia in 'Countries M - Z'

ROMANCE -

In room dining

Beca "On Call" - highly decorated Trishaw tour of the town's highlights - 1 hour

Large shower stalls with Rainforest showers

Have dinner at the River View Cafe outside by the river as the lights come on at dusk - not the hotel cafe this one is at 82 Jalan Kampong Pantai, Melaka - closed Tuesdays

SUNRISES & SUNSETS -

At both of the hotel bars - Rio and Sol in the pool at the swim up bar

Alto Sky Lounge - a favourite with romantics - Level 22 at Hatten Hotel - opens at 4 pm - cocktails, tapas and live music - entry charge

Sunset Cruise

BUDGET -

Good value for 5***** hotels and food is delicious and cheap. Alcohol is no more than you would pay at home. Transport won't be much because you can walk everywhere. Free tea and coffee at the hotel. All in all you'll definitely get your money's worth.

HIGHLIGHTS -

Rooftop Infinity Pool with Bar

Discovery Walk - through UNESCO World Heritage Listed Melaka

Jonker Street

The Food

PAMPER -

Satkara Spa - Traditional Malay massage, Facials, Body wraps and scrubs, Rituals

Jacuzzi

RELAXING -

Laid back sunset pool adjacent to the swim up Pool Bar

Cabanas by the large courtyard pool

VIEWS -

River, City and Pool views

FOOD -

The River Grill - a la carte and buffet breakfast - all day dining - riverside dining terrace - Western and Malysian cuisines - Seafood Platter, Smoked Duck Carbonara, Baba Nonya Seafood Laksa, Mango Cheesecake

River Cafe - Brunch, lunch and light meals - Coffee, smoothies, signature sandwiches

Saturday Night BBQ's

Baba Nonya Food - in the 15th century men from southern China migrated here to Malacca, they married local Malay women who adapted their cuisine to please their Chinese husbands. The people born of this mix are known as Peranakans and they are still around today. The male ones are Babas and the females are Nonyas. Nancy's Kitchen is a good choice for authentic dishes, it's 1 km away from the hotel. Here are some others.

Pineapple Tarts - a local specialty - one famous place for them is the conveniently located Christina Ee which you'll see across the road while you're having a drink at the Geographer Cafe.

Kopitams (Coffee shops) - Heng Huat Coffee Shop (family run) opened in 1930 try their signature wanton noodles (Wan Tan Mee) - Long Hiang Coffee Shop opened in 1942 and is run by the 4th generation of the family is a favourite with the locals, try the duck noodles - BESS Kopitam is famous for its award winning Nonya Laksa -  Lung Ann Refreshment Kopitam is one of the oldest and most famous for breakfast in Melaka - Locahauz for brunch with a difference with things like Durian cheesecake and pumpkin burgers

Street Food - Chicken rice balls, satay fish balls, coconut shakes, mango smoothies, Chang fen - noodles, dim sum. pineapple tarts, cendol, rojak, fried radish cake, roti canai , satay - head down to Jalan Kee Ann food street, an open air hawker centre that comes alive at night time

Old Town White Coffee - my favourite and there are 9 branches scattered around Melaka

Capitol Satay - famous local restaurant where the satays are cooked in a bucket of bubbling peanut sauce in the middle of the table. It's a local specialty called satay celup.

Restaurante San Pedro - oldest Portuguese restaurant in Malaysia

DRINKS -

Bar Rio - the place to watch the sunset with a cocktail - Happy Hour 5 pm - 9pm - live music - al fresco

Bar Sol - swim up bar adjacent to the rooftop infinity pool with views of the city skyline and across the Straits of Melaka - specialty drinks, tapas, ice cream and snacks - Happy Hour - also a good place to watch the sunset

The Geographers Cafe - pre-war shophouse in the heart of Chinatown - indoor / outdoor made for people watching - a living museum - food, drinks and souvenirs - try a Geographer Delight - their signature dishes are Nasi Lemak (enriched rice - the National dish) and Kankung Fried Rice

Stroll along the river and you'll find some pleasant little bars along the way

Tea Tasting Ceremony - try the Cheng Ho Tea House

SIGHTS -

Baba Nonya Heritage Museum - discover what it's all about - THE place to learn about Peranakan culture located in a Baba Nonya townhouse to give you a glimpse of how they lived in the old days of Malacca

Melaka Sultanate Palace - architectural wooden wonder built without nails

The Stadhuys - historical centre in town

ACTIVITIES -

Cooking Classes at the hotel

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Night Market in Jonker Street (the main street in Chinatown) for great street food, shopping, entertainment on stage and atmosphere 6 pm - late - Jonker Street is a good place to go at anytime, it is loaded with restaurants, bars and shopping. It's only a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Melaka River Cruise - hotel has a private dock

State of the Art Rooftop Gym

Bicycle rentals - first hour free plus route map

SOUVENIRS -

Any items you like in the room can be bought at the hotel shop

Have a look around the Jonker Street Night Market

Pineapple Tarts

The Geographers Cafe have shirts etc

Batik Shirts from the Orangutan House

Vintage collectables

TIPS -

Be sure to book one of the rooms facing the river - if you don't book one of the suites mentioned earlier that is

CHEAPER OPTIONS -

Have a look at these which are all on Booking.com and in good locations. The Casa del Rio is good value so depending on the deal you get and what type of room you select these may not be a lot cheaper.

The Majestic Malacca Hotel ***** - 

Dutch Colonial Mansion from 1920, on the River, Spa Village , outdoor pool, floor to ceiling windows, Restaurant - Melba at the Mansion specialising in Kristang cuisine (a mixture of Portuguese and Melakan), Bar, Fitness centre

Liu Men Melaka - By Preference ***** - 

Restaurant, free snacks and fruit basket in room, garden, Coffee House, snack bar, concierge

5 Heeren Museum Residence *** - 

Beautifully restored Peranakan (people born of southern Chinese migrants who intermarried with local Malays) Residence full of genuine antiques, delicious Nonya breakfast, by the river and Jonker Street, garden, spacious balconies, sun terrace, culture class, walking tour, snack bar - Bridal Suite*

VISAS -

Most countries can enter Malaysia without a visa from 14 - 90 days.

Click here to check your status.

TRANSPORT -

Fly into KLIA or KLIA2 - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) - 

Both terminals use the same runways etc - KLIA has direct flights to 98 destinations in 32 countries and caters to the more well known airlines.

KLIA2 is for the cheaper carriers and has all the connections of the main terminal. It was built more recently and has everything you could need. Local airline Air Asia is based here.

If you are spending a few nights in KL there is a shuttle train from the airport. With 2 people you can negotiate a similar price for a taxi.

Malacca International Airport (MKZ) -

has flights from Malindo Airlines and Express Air.

Click here for airfares.

You can arrange transfers from the airport or KL with the Casa del Rio. You will save money just by organising your own taxi or you could talk to the hotel in KL.

EXTRA -

See Malaysia and Singapore in 'Countries M - Z'

Click here to go to the Marker Map.