Took bus from Singapore to Melaka. Thought was being ripped off by taxi driver as it is a fixed price from bus station to hotel but this turned out to be true. Hotel looks grim from outside but is nice inside. There were 5 of us so needed 3 rooms. 2 of which were fine but ours had a really funny smell - bit like cat pee! We complained and they sent man to spray and clean but didn't make any difference so they moved us immediately. Suspect they may have had the problem before as we were given another room so quickly. Room no was 1601 if you are unlucky enough to get it!
Staff were very helpful and pleasant. Breakfast was fine although choice of fruit not as nice as we had in other hotels. Pool was nice but it was very windy up there with little shelter and pool was quite cold. Coffee bar was nice and cakes were lovely. All the restaurant staff were very pleasant and friendly and the chefs were obviously proud of what they were producing. Only ate in restaurant one evening when they produced a Sea food buffet which was really good with lobster, crayfish, mussels, prawns, crab etc. etc. However, would suggest you try some of the great little restaurants in Melakka especially ones which serve sate or Nonya food. Hotel had a Chinese Lion dance in Reception at end of Chinese New Year and this was really nice to see.

Rate and Reservation and Check-in
Booked direct with the hotel for 2 nights; with rate of RM420++ in the Executive Room (Club Floor room), Feb 12-14 2008. Was at the hotel about 10am, was allowed to have an early check-in which was sweet.


Location of Hotel
The hotel is actually well-located in Malacca Town Centre. Probably 5 mins walk into Chinatown; with lots of antique shops, ‘grandpa having nap in front of shop’, food/drinks. Probably 10/15mins walk, passing by Little India, (nice smells of all the spices), and then into the Historical area of Malacca.

Taxi should not cost more than RM10.

The hotel has free shuttles to the nearest shopping mall i.e. Mahkota Parade

Just right outside of the hotel u can get food easily; Chinese or Malay


Room
The room is located on the 23rd floor with a view of the river and town which is very beautiful. Décor is very uhm... traditional, not modern at all but everything in room is functional. Dark colour wooden fixtures/furniture + Marble flooring in the bathroom; room is airy and spacious

The bed is firm, but sleep-able for me anyway, with six pillows. Bathroom amenities consists the normal things like soap, shampoo etc and extra like bath salts and mount rinse!


Service & Facilities
Staffs are quite attentive and always smiling. Swimming pool is located on the 9th floor but not heated and the water was very very cold; was nice though. Steam rooms were located on the 8th floor; which was alright too. At the moment, the hotel spa is somewhat going for a refurbishment.


Restaurant and In-Room Dining Menu
Didn’t dine in the hotel as food is abundant in the town, but did have a few in-room dining which was good.

Check-out
Check-out was a breeze and excellent.

Overall, it is well-maintained hotel with excellent service and views in Malacca. Try not to expect too much even though it is a five-star hotel.

Hotels in Melaka are not going to blow your socks off. They are all pretty basic.

The renaissance was OK - and in terms of the room was more 'upmarket' than the Puri which we also stayed in. At least the bathrooms in the Renaissance had a proper shower head.

The club room facilities were a nice touch, but were very basic also.

Melaka is fun, so if you go don't focus all of your energy on finding a brilliant hotel. I don't think it's going to happen. Just get out on the streets and enjoy.

Stayed here overnight after a wonderful day exploring Melaka. Funnily enough our room was not ready either. We were given a smoking room despite requesting a non smoking room. We had to wait til 3.30pm for this. Staff were courteous and polite however.
Comfortable bed. Functional bathroom. Pool I actually rather liked - refreshing for an early morning dip. Breakfast was great - a good fill before our trip to Singapore. We were satisfied with the money spent.