Leju 21

We booked two nights through Booking, but had to leave early because this home is right in a bar alley. There was loud noise and screaming on the weekends until 2 am. The owner agreed to refund our second night, but a month later I still hadn’t received it.

The river views in the morning were fantastic, and the restored old shophouse is in a great spot right beside the river. It was lovely to stay in, very clean, well furnished, with comfortable beds and strong air conditioning that was welcome in the heat. There’s one toilet on the ground floor. The wooden stairs up to the second and third floors are steep, so they may not work well for children or older people. Bars nearby stay open until midnight, which can make weekends noisy. On the plus side, the restaurant next door could deliver pizza right to our doorstep.

They let me check in half an hour early, which meant I could rest on a rainy day. The self check-in was simple and went smoothly. The room was very neat, and I appreciated the owner keeping the old house in good shape. The bedding felt a little damp, maybe because of the rain. Sound carries, so light sleepers should bring earplugs. There’s a convenience store about a 7-10 minute walk away. I was very happy with my stay and would like to visit again. Thanks for the sweet house and the good memories.

Leju has a charming, authentic old local style, with comfortable beds and classic wooden stairs. I still love the place, and it’s my favourite place to stay in Melaka for two to four people. The living room and toilet are downstairs, along with a small antique fridge that’s handy for beer and wine. The bedrooms are on the first and second floors. It’s in a great spot, not far from Jonker but not too close, and the house itself is nicely separated from the noise. There’s a busy row of cafes, bars, and restaurants right outside, but it isn’t too loud. We could order food next door and have it knocked on the door and delivered. Hard to ask for more. Those stairs are worth keeping in mind. They may not suit older visitors or anyone who has trouble walking, especially at night or after drinking. The place could use some attention, though. There was a strange smell, probably from the air conditioner. I told the owner and hope it’s gone by my next visit, which will be my third. Thanks for the Guai Leng Gou too.