The Explorer

The room is small but manageable for two people with cabin luggage, and the service was okay. The hotel is in a very convenient spot near jonker street and a famosa, with MCD and local restaurants nearby, including ikan asam pedas, wong solo, and pakistani food. The food was delicious. On top of the hotel price, there'ads for malay tourism tax & heritage fee, around 13RM.

We stayed 3 days 2 nights and walked everywhere, without using the car at all. Attractions are super close, and that’s the best part of this strategic hotel. Parking is in the basement and costs RM4 per entry. The price is very affordable for what you get. The room is small but fine for two, and the bathroom had a slight smell. A kettle and hairdryer were provided, which was convenient. Good value and recommended.

The main road noise made sleep difficult, especially on a weekend. You could hear every bit of street noise through the windows, and fireworks went off around 2 - 3am. That part may not really be the hotel’s fault. The air-conditioning barely worked, and the outdoor units near the dumpsters meant the room smelled like trash. The rooms were the worst issue: tiny, dated and not very clean. The bathroom was also cramped, and if you’re bigger, getting into the shower is a struggle because the door barely opens halfway. Once inside, figuring out how to get hot water felt like it needed a degree. Reception staff seemed like they didn’t want to be there and came across as rude at check-in. The lifts are small, though there weren’t many guests when we stayed, so we avoided long waits. Corridors to the rooms are open air, which wasn’t really a problem, but several spots leaked when it rained. Staff put buckets beneath them instead of fixing the leaks. This place shouldn’t have a 3 star rating, in my opinion, and should be downgraded to 1 star. Don’t book it, even as a last resort. Sleeping on the street would be better. We paid NZ$349 (MYR 943.11) for 2 rooms for 2 nights, money that would have been better spent on something else. Just my opinion, but choose somewhere else, anywhere else.

The room was clean enough, the staff friendly, and the air conditioning very cold. It’s a quiet place that would suit a solo traveller looking for a comfortable stay. I found this hidden gem while visiting Melacca for 1 day. It’s right by the road in a strategic spot, with several food places just a short walk away, and tourist spots are easy to reach. Recommended if you want a clean place in a convenient location.