Step back in time and savour the opulence of a bygone era at the Cyclamen Cottage.

I decided to kick start my 2017 by taking a little trip back down to Melaka. The main reason for the trip was to take a short getaway to have some ‘me’ time. When choosing a hotel, I really did my research and prefered to trust personal recommendations rather than opinionated Tripadvisor stories. After weighing up a few other options, I decided on the Cyclamen Cottage. And after experiencing the Cyclamen Cottage for myself, I would happily recommend it to you too.

Here’s the story of my decadent stay at the Cyclamen Cottage.

Getting to Cyclamen Cottage from the Ayer Keroh toll was a breeze. It was a 20-minute drive from said toll, so this hotel is rather strategically located. It’s only a 5-minute drive to Jonker Street, the busiest street in Melaka.

Cindy, the lady owner was ready to greet me at the entrance of the Cyclamen Cottage.

Located among a row of restored historic houses, this gem of a boutique hotel offers a unique glimpse into the golden past of this world heritage listed city. Built in 1937, this row of houses today is a sterling splendid example of an adaptive reuse of heritage buildings that is of low density and low impact.

The lobby looked bright, inviting and cosily decorated. Antique arrangements dominated the room, which gave it a very ‘Peranakan’ feel. The Cyclamen Cottage is as boutique as they come. With fascinating features, classical decorative details and antique furnishings, it’s one of the most classical design hotels I’ve ever stayed in. All the details feel one-of-a-kind and made to measure, which adds to the heritage feel of the hotel.

Cyclamen Cottage is a family-owned boutique hotel in a historical building, meaning the ceilings are pretty high, the rooms are big and there are characterful original features throughout. I loved the quirky details such as the dimly lit lighting and antique wooden lobby chairs. They added a lovely dose of character and a nice balance between classic and contemporary.

The interior is one that harks back to the romance and splendour of the Peranakan Chinese era. Chris, Cindy’s husband, is a half baba and the recreation and curation of a grand Peranakan mansion symbolises Chris’s way of paying homage to the grandeur of, and more importantly, contributing his part to conserving the legacy of the Peranakan Chinese culture.

My spacious deluxe room was located on the ground floor of the hotel, which meant it was very close to the entrance of the hotel, making access and exit to the hotel hassle-free.

The deluxe room was pretty basic but cosy and comfortable, with a queen-sized bed and an attached bathroom.

On the morning of my stay at Cyclamen Cottage I got to enjoy a late leisurely breakfast. I indulged in one every morning of my stay!

The chat with Chris was definite highlight. We spent almost 3-hour discussing and sharing the history of Peranakan in Malacca. Chris, a proud baba, explained every single piece of antique he has been collecting throughout the years. His house has becoming a mini museum!

If you’re looking for a Peranakan-designed and budget hotel in the Melaka, Cyclamen Cottage has to be on your shortlist.

But in general, the attentive owners, sumptuous surroundings and fantastic location made Cyclamen Cottage the perfect base for my short getaway to Malacca. Thank you so much to Cindy and Chris for your warm hospitality.

Cyclamen Cottage

2884C, Lorong Teck Chye Avenue, Limbongan, 75200 Melaka

+6012 621 6031

www.cyclamencottage.com