Hotel Puri Melaka Review

Melaka Hotel Puri at Jonker Street is one of the most beautiful one-of-a-kind boutique hotels in the country, and one of the best stays while exploring this UNESCO World Heritage City.

This carefully restored Peranakan house which was the ancestral home of rubber plantation tycoon Tan Kim Seng was initially built in 1822 at the current location which had various road names.

Known as Heeran Street, Holland Street and now Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, this famous road is also known as the Millionaires' Row where Hotel Puri is located at.

Hotel Puri Melaka Review

Hotel Puri lobby courtyard

Hotel Puri in Melaka is very unique due to many interesting features where the main feature would be how the hotel building stretches a good 100 meters (328 feet) from front to back.

The facade of the building is intricately carved in the Utilitarian style while every little detail in Hotel Puri is looked into.

Walking in and heading to the reception will take you back in time as you pass various antique furniture and memorabilia.

Baba Nyonya wood carved window

Staying here for the second time, I always find Hotel Puri full of surprises. This time around, I spent some time looking at the details of the entire boutique hotel.

A carved wooden Peranakan window at the lobby area is something you hardly see nowadays, as there are no more skilled wood carvers doing these.

Hotel Puri lounge area with retro chairs

The lounge area is well decorated with retro furniture from the sixties while the floor and wall tiles were something to really look at as they were original vintage English tiles.

A reading area is provided where an old wooden shelf serves as a bookcase. If you need a bite, there is a small counter serving some light snacks and drinks.

Lobby and reception area

Midway to the main reception area, you pass an old style airwell, decorated with mother-of-pearl Baba style furniture that are placed against the walls.

An old wooden spiral staircase sits in a corner while a piano occupies the other. These is a typical Peranakan home layout dating back hundreds of years.

Hotel Puri

From the main lobby, you walk through some wooden doors into another room called the ancestral hall which is filled with various Peranakan and Baba antiques.

An antique wooden cart, Porcelain jars, a Baba prayer table and paintings fill the space here which leads to the hotel rooms and courtyard.

After dusk, if you come here and look up the ceiling, you will see a number of swiftlets who make this place their home.

Mini museum located inside the hotel

In the next section you find a mini business center with Internet access and also a mini museum on Melaka (Malacca).

I found this very interesting as foreign guest can learn a little more about Hotel Puri and its rich history.

Some old photographs of Malacca are also framed with descriptions and an old well with the hotel's history is at one corner.

Indoor pond and garden

Navigating through the numerous doors of Hotel Puri may even get you lost if you are new there. The hotel has three floors with no elevator and only stairs.

However, there are a few rooms that are located on the ground floor nearby an indoor pond which leads to the breakfast area.

Galeri Cafe Chinese arch entrance

At the courtyard of Hotel Puri, you will find the 'Galeri Cafe' which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. This beautifully designed cafe has about ten marble tables with old style wooden coffee shop chairs.

Galeri Cafe Restaurant

Hotel Puri standard room here

Room at Hotel Puri Melaka

The room I booked was small, simple and cozy. Wooden folding windows looked out into the hotels courtyard area.

A small television set with a number of channels provide basic entertainment, and all rooms are air conditioned with hot showers. The price I paid then was RM185.00 (US$61) a night.

Double room

The bed is pretty simple and standard, nothing spectacular but it is straightforward and comfortable. Not your regular five star bed, but close.

There is no mini bar but a safe deposit box is provided with standard hotel amenities. Again, there is nothing to shout about but they are very basic and straightforward.

Complimentary drinks

Complimentary coffee and tea is available for guest, and old style Chinese cups and saucers are provided which is a nice touch. A water kettle is also available.

Hotel Puri Bathroom

While the bathroom and toilet may be small, it serves the purpose. The shower is pretty strong while the squarish sink gives the bathroom a modern touch.

Standard toilet amenities are included here and a hair dryer is also provided for your convenience.

Courtyard at the hotel here in Melaka

At the courtyard, one can enjoy sitting and reading amongst the lovely greenery which is well maintained by the hotel staff. Note that after dawn, there may be mosquitoes.

Hotel Puri Breakfast Area

Breakfast is served in another part of the ground floor where you can have it indoor or outdoor buffet style with local and western choices.

Hotel Puri at Heeren Street or Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock

When you walk outside Hotel Puri, you will be on Heeren Street which is behind Jonker Walk or Jonker Street.

An easy five minute stroll will put you in the middle of Jonker Street where you can spend the day just going from shop to shop.

If you explore further by foot will take you to other famous Melaka sites like Stadhuys, A'Famosa, Dutch Christ Church, St. Paul's Church and the Peranakan Museum.

Hotel Puri at night

My Conclusion to Staying at Hotel Puri

I never doubted this place even after my first visit in 2007 and I did not hesitate when it came to booking a room for my recent trip to Melaka.

Hotel Puri is my first choice when visiting Melaka as it is absolutely convenient to get around by foot from the hotel.

Overall experience is 5 Stars and the boutique hotel caters to single travelers and also families. The rooms may be small but every detail is looked into.

If you want to have a Peranakan experience, this is the place to stay at, as no other hotel provides this kind of unique boutique service. 

Plus Points staying here:

• Hotel is located in the heart of Melaka
• Prices are very reasonable
• Service is great
• Private parking
• Amazing ambiance

Minus Points staying here:

• No elevator for the disabled, only stairs
• Rooms are small but cozy

Room Rates for Hotel Puri as of 2009

• Standard - RM120 (US$34)
• Superior Twin/Double - RM160 (US$45)
• Superior Triple - RM230 (US$65)
• Superior Quad - RM280 (US$80)
• Deluxe Double - RM220 (US$62)
• Junior Suite - RM350 (US$100)
• Family Room - RM310 (US$88)
• Puri Suite - RM500 (US$142)
• Extra Bed (not available for standard/superior room)- RM46 (US$13)
• Rates exclude 5% Gov Tax and 10% Service Charge
• Rates include breakfast
  
• Surcharge of RM30 (US$8) applies on weekends and public holidays
• Check In Time - 2.00 pm
• Check Out Time - 12.00 noon

Visit the official website of Hotel Puri in Melaka for the latest information and prices.

Hotep Puri address and contact details;
Hotel Puri
118, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 6282 5588
Fax: +60 6281 5588

Singapore Sales Office:
Telephone: +65 6468 6154
Fax: +65 6466 6075

How To Get To Hotel Puri

Driving to Hotel Puri via car is easy. From the main North-South or NKVE highway, turn into Melaka/Ayer Keroh and head straight to 'Pusat Bandaraya Melaka' which is the town center.

The drive after the toll booth will take you about 20 to 30 minutes passing the Melaka Zoo and numerous traffic lights before you arrive in the town area.

Once in town area, head to the old quarter of Melaka or Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street) or Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street).

GPS Coordinates for Hotel Puri - N2°11.783' E102°14.720'

Map to Hotel Puri in Melaka

Final Thoughts

When you are visiting Melaka for a day trip or to overnight, there are a ton of things to do in this historical city.

Choices of hotels range from high end, middle ranged to guesthouses, and even the boutique ones like Hotel Puri. At the end of the day, the choice is up to you.

But if I do visit Melaka again, I will sure stay at this hotel simple because of its location and unique character.