Family hotels in Malacca for fun-filled days under the sun

At the five-star Casa del Rio boutique hotel, grab views of the city from the rooftop terrace or cool off with a  swim in the infinity pool. In fact, there are several pools to choose from, including one just for the kids. There’s also a play area where the little ones can burn off some energy, while parents relax in the tranquil spa with a soothing massage.

Begin each day with breakfast by the Malacca River at the hotel’s waterfront River Grill. In the afternoon, families can borrow bikes to cycle along the promenade before returning for smoothies and sandwiches at River Cafe or tapas at the rooftop Bar So.

Rooms have views of the water or a pretty fountain courtyard. Tuck the little ones into their custom-made daybed in the Studio King, or choose the Melaka Suite for your own separate bedrooms–not to mention the balcony Jacuzzi.

Think of Courtyard @ Heeren when deciding where to stay in Malacca, where rooms are inspired by Peranakan heritage and contemporary trends. For families, that means pillow fights in the raised, curtained bedroom area while cartoons play on the LCD TV, or just a moment admiring decorative carvings and bamboo screens. There’s space for eight in the family suite, so you can fan out between two bedrooms and a living room spread over two floors. In your ensuite, give the kids their first experience with the bubbly fun of a Jacuzzi bath.

Just beyond your doors is the bustling atmosphere of Jonker Walk. Check out the wonky 3D Illusion Art Gallery, just a three-minute walk away, where kids can get holiday snaps of themselves escaping the jaws of a T-Rex. There are tons of little shops and cafés to fill your afternoon or discover the city from the water with a boat trip along the Malacca River.

The kiddos will be kept busy at Holiday Inn Melaka–this family-friendly hotel has a kids’ club (ages 4–10) where little ones can make new friends while crafting their own pizza or painting keychains. For afternoons together, head to the infinity pool’s shallow end with views of the Malacca Strait. Parents who fancy a little adult downtime can visit the calming Tea Tree Spa to be pampered with Balinese-inspired treatments.

Check into the Kids’ Suite so your tykes can careen into double bunks and a separate play area while you sink into your own king-size. Some suites have connecting rooms, so older offspring can have their own space while still being near their parents.

Swap your room’s water view for the buffet at contemporary es.sense kitchen when you get hungry, or pile into Sirocco Italian Restaurant for gooey wood-fired pizzas. After the kids are tucked in their bunks, parents can sip a nightcap at Sirocco Bar while listening to the house band’s jazz skills.

It’s a small-scale stay at Art Deco Jonker Boutique Hotel, but this little place packs a punch with family activities just beyond the front steps. Drop your bags in a room crowned by ornate wallpaper and carved headboards, like the Grand Deluxe Family Room. If this is your baby’s first trip, swaddle your little one in plush cotton towels while staff set up a newborn cot next to your queen-size.

On the threshold of famed Jonker Street, you’re seconds away from shops and restaurants. Wander four minutes down the road to Mamee Jonker House to let the kids take over the kitchen and make their own noodle dishes. The hotel also has its own Jonker Café, serving local dishes like sweet iced Cendol and drinks throughout the day. A bit farther, a nine-minute drive will take you to the three swimming pools (one with kid-approved water slides) and playgrounds of Jetty Suites–parents can catch a break in the Jacuzzi or sauna.

The chic Ramada Plaza Melaka is in the heart of the historical district, minutes from UNESCO World Heritage sites. When you’re not exploring, spend days in the sunshine at your Malacca accommodation with views of the ocean from the terrace on the ninth floor. You can cool off with calm laps while the kids splash into their own pool, or there’s Melaka Wonderland just 20 minutes away if you want to thrill little adventure-seekers with huge water slides and a tornado bowl.

At Zest, pile your plates high at the buffet and carry them outside to dine alfresco. If you’re raising a curious brood, introduce them to Cantonese and Szechuan flavours at Long Feng, or keep things simple with kid-friendly pizza and pasta at The Olio Italian Restaurant. After dinner, parents can put on their dancing shoes for a few songs with the house band at Famosa Lounge.

You’ll find your room full of little touches to make your stay extra comfortable–from slippers and bathrobes to mineral water and coffee facilities. Make the most of the hotel’s locale with a room that overlooks the Strait or the river.

Decorated in a palette of warm earthy tones, rooms at The Pines make space for all the family with ranges of bed sizes. Make your break that little bit more luxurious with a balcony room, where you can share a game of cards outside while looking across the city’s rooftops, river or sea. Alternatively, a poolside suite lets energetic kiddos leap directly from the airy terrace into the saltwater swimming pool, while high speed Wi-Fi will keep teens up-to-date with their social media.

At on-site The Oak restaurant, hungry mouths will find a buffet kept fresh throughout the day. For a sweet treat in the afternoon, head to Grea8 Bar and nibble on delicate cakes at high tea. Sport-loving families can cheer on their team here too, with many matches shown live. For a culture fix, wander around The Pines on your own little treasure hunt in search of original art by local creatives from the Malacca Art Association.

Head to the rooftop of The Straits Hotel and Suites for afternoons lounging in the sun and evenings watching it set. Up here on the 23rd floor, Malacca City looks like a toy setup below while you tuck into cheesy snacks from Pizzaria. Post-pizza wind-downs can be had in the sauna, or if you’re feeling more active, cannonball with the kids into the infinity pool.

Rinse off the chlorine in your room’s walk-in rainfall shower, then snuggle into a modern day chair or make the most of the views from the balcony. Upgrade your break to a suite for your own living room and added perks like homemade Nyonya desserts and pizzas at your disposal. Come morning, the hotel’s airy Amalaka restaurant has its own outdoor dining terrace for digging into the buffet breakfast, and coffee and sweet treats can be found at Straits Coffee Shop throughout the day.

Your generously sized room at Hatten Hotel Melaka will make you feel at home, though modern aesthetics and opulent finishes (hello, marble ensuite!) will remind you that you are, most definitely, on vacation. Families can spread out in a suite for a separate living area and views of the pool, sea or city.

Up on the rooftop terrace, let kids swim in the pool while you top up your tan on a sunbed right in the water. Order refreshments from the Splash bar, or slip away for some pampering at the spa. For fun days out, over 10,000 kid-approved characters from Spiderman to Mario appear in life size at the Toy Museum, just a 10-minute drive away.

You’ll satisfy rumbling bellies at the casual Chatterz restaurant–this all-day dining hall puts on a buffet of traditional flavours and fusion creations. Head to the 22nd floor, where you can top off the day at Alto Sky Lounge by drinking in views of the city along with a cocktail to a soundtrack of live music.

The 22 storeys of Hotel Equatorial Melaka tower over the bustling shopping, business and entertainment neighbourhoods in the city centre. Fuel up at one of the hotel’s five restaurants, like K5 for grab-and-go pizzas, before adventuring out into the busy streets.

Your room at the hotel will bring views of the Malacca Strait or of the ruins of St Paul’s Church right into your living space. On sweaty summer days, you might just decide that an air-conditioned Netflix fest with the kids piled around you in bed (you’ll find handy electronic controls right by the pillows) is just the ticket.

For relaxing afternoons in the sun, occupy a lounger beneath palm trees by the outdoor pool–kids can have fun playing games in their own section of the water. Practise your serve or teach the little ones how to play on the tennis courts. There’s also a fitness centre just for adults should you want a grown-up break.

Keeping the kids happy at Ibis Melaka is easy when you have sporty activities at your disposal. Try your hand at archery or hire bikes and cycle over to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, around 10 minutes away. There’s also an outdoor playground at the hotel, where children can create their own adventures.

Rooms are built around comfort, with a contemporary look and high-tech touches like satellite TVs with kid-friendly channels. After busy days seeing the sights, sink into your exclusively designed Sweet Bed by Ibis and enjoy the peace inside your soundproofed, air-conditioned room. Standard rooms have enough space for families of three, or you can go big with a family room or suite.

Turn the kids loose on the all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast in the morning. You can take a peek at the lunch and dinner menus while you’re here to plan out the day’s feeding times–you’ll find specially crafted smaller dishes specifically for younger guests.