Malacca, Malaysia info

THE BEST WAY TO MALACCA, MALAYSIAFrom LAX, Malaysia Airlines offer direct service (stop, no change of plane) to Kuala Lumpur, and China Airlines, China Southern, China Eastern, Singapore, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Korean and Eva offering connecting service (change of plane). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $1,000, excluding taxes and fees.

Malacca’s airport is served only by regional carriers. There is no train service, but buses reach the town from several Kuala Lumpur stations as well as the international airport. The trip takes two to three hours and costs about $5, one way; for information, go to https://www.transnasional.com.my. Taxi transfers from the Kuala Lumpur area to Malacca cost $50 to $75, and the ride takes about two hours; it is usually less expensive to book directly with a driver rather than to arrange the trip with a hotel concierge.

TELEPHONES

To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 60 (country code for Malaysia) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Casa del Rio, 88 Jalan Kota Laksamana; 6-292-1113 or 6-289-6888, https://www.casadelrio-melaka.com, is a new 66-room luxury hotel with a courtyard and swimming pool on the Melacca River. Doubles start about $138 for weekdays and $222 for weekends, including breakfast

Hangout@jonker, 19 and 21 Lorong Hang Jebat; 6-282-8318, https://www.hangouthotels.com, is a new no-frills chain hotel just off Jonker Street. Doubles from $60 ($47 special Internet rate).

Heeren House, 1 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock; 6-281-4241, https://www.heerenhouse.com, is a delightful, small guesthouse on Heeren Street right beside the Malacca River; it has a shop, cafe and six guest rooms decorated with colonial-era antiques, starting at about $54, including breakfast.

Hotel Puri, 118 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock; 6-282-5588, https://www.hotelpuri.com, is a favorite spot for travelers in a nicely refurbished Strait Chinese mansion. The courtyard and spa are appealing, but the guest rooms are modern and somewhat bare. Doubles from about $45, including breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

Great, exotic eats are on offer all around the historic center, including carts that sell Chinese rice balls, Malaysian spring rolls, spicy noodles, fried oysters and satay.

For dessert, stop at LW Nyonya Pineapple Tarts, 80 Jalan Tokong, or Donald & Lily’s, Jalan Kota Laksamana (behind 31 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock), specializing in cendol, a sort of Malaysian sundae made of rice jellies, palm sugar and coconut milk on shaved ice. Cendol about $1.

Restoran Peranakan, 107 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 6-284-5001, is known for Straits Chinese cuisine, especially laksa nonya made of vermicelli noodles, coconut cream, fish balls, chili paste and spices. Dinner for one less than $10. Most main dishes $4-$6.

For dessert, stop at LW Nyonya Pineapple Tarts, 80 Jalan Tokong, or Donald & Lily’s, Jalan Kota Laksamana (behind 31 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock), specializing in cendol, a sort of Malaysian sundae made of rice jellies, palm sugar and coconut milk on shaved ice. Cendol about $1.

Terrific cafes with an array of Malaysian coffees include Calanthe Arts Cafe, 11 Jalan Hang Kasturi, and Café 1511, 52 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (next to the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum).

TO LEARN MORE

Malaysia’s state tourism bureau: https://www.tourism.gov.my

Two other helpful websites are https://www.melaka.net and https://www.amazingmelaka.com