The Pines Melaka is one of the newer hotels in this historical city – an establishment that boast a contemporary exterior and interior in the midst of dreamy, olden day charm the city has to offer. Location is always a factor when choosing a hotel and The Pines has an upper advantage when it comes to that; it is within walking distance to The Shore and several food attractions in town.
We were given the Executive Suite which is ideal for those travelling with family. The suite has two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a living area and mini kitchen, but since it was just rif and myself, only one room was utilised. Alternatively, you can opt for the Pool Side Suite which is also catered to families. Difference is, you get direct pool access from your room.
As Melaka is general packed during weekends and holidays, expect full occupancy at The Pines since it is a popular option among KL and SG folks. It isn’t obvious until you head to the (salt water) pool or when you’re at breakfast. The latter is extremely chaotic since there is only one restaurant and 390 rooms. If you’re staying in the suite, you get an option to dine at Gre8 but from the looks of it, the food is better at The Oak.
The room we stayed at is fairly comfortable – I like the idea of a balcony because it allows rif and I to lounge al-fresco over a glass or two of wine. Since it is one of the tallest buildings in Melaka (at least for the moment), you get a good view of the city especially when haze doesn’t pay its visit.
There is a complimentary shuttle service from the hotel to Jonker Street and Dataran Pahlawan on a regular basis, so do check with the concierge on the time slots and book your ride. If you wish to cycle around, bicycles are available for rent at the hotel.
If you’re visiting Melaka and are looking for a relatively central hotel, The Pines Melaka would be it. It’s easy to get to and you have all the basic amenities in the hotel as well as around the hotel, making your stay convenient.
Service and food still needs work in my opinion – the staff are polite but aren’t trained enough to handle large dining crowds. Food wise, stick to local favourites such as nasi lemak and mee goreng and you won’t go wrong. Otherwise, there are plenty of food options around the city so rest assured, you’ll never go hungry. Nobody goes hungry in Melaka! 😉
For more information about The Pines Melaka, visit the official website here.