“Epic” and “awesome” were just two of the many favourable words that my kids used to describe our recent stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Melaka.
This was our first experience staying at a DoubleTree Hotel, so I didn’t really know what to expect. We got off to a very good start when we were all offered a warm cookie at check in. I honestly don’t know who was happier with the welcome gift, myself or the kids. Once we had filled out all the necessary paperwork, we all went merrily munching on our cookies to check out the rooms.
We sometimes struggle as a family of four to find hotels that will accommodate our needs. At six and eight the kids are too young to be in their own room but starting to outgrow the pull-out beds offered by some places. This time, instead of being squashed we had rooms next to each other with a connecting door. This meant that each of them – and their entourage of stuffed toys – could enjoy the comfort of their own proper beds whilst we had peace of mind knowing we could keep a close eye on them.
After we finished checking out the walk-in rain showers and other facilities the room had to offer, we had worked up an appetite and were ready for a feast. Thankfully, we didn’t have far to wander to the all-you-can-eat hotel buffet.
There was something for everyone. My husband tucked in to the kebabs from the Turkish corner, my eyes lit up with the selection of seafood on offer and the kids were rewarded for eating enough proper food by being let loose in the dessert section. I think it would be fair to say that they were over the moon with the selection of jelly beans and marshmallows on offer in the ice cream corner!
The breakfast buffet on offer the next morning was equally impressive, offering a good mix of Eastern and Western food to please even the pickiest of eaters. And once again they had catered for younger customers with a waffle and pancake station complete with a colourful assortment of toppings.
The other eating options include Hilton’s Makan Kitchen and Tosca, a poolside restaurant with Italian fare – pizzas included.
With our bellies full and our cameras ready, it was time to head in to Melaka. The main attractions in the heart of the city are just 3km away. We decided to leave the car in the hotel car park and hopped in a taxi for the short ride. This was much easier and relaxing than negotiating the unfamiliar roads and one way system, whilst trying to avoid the sea of trishaw tourist bikes that weave through the lanes.
Having spent a couple of hours discovering what the city has to offer we headed back to the hotel for a flick through our recently captured photos and a well earned dip in the infinity pool.
The pool that can be found on the 13th floor was a welcome sight after sauntering around the pretty, sun baked streets of the city. We just wanted to put our feet up for a couple of hours by the pool, but the kids somehow still had energy and headed into the kids club, right next door. The club will appeal to 3 to 12 year olds with a range of creative crafts as well as the latest gadgets.
Also, if your kids are 5 years old or over, the super friendly staff are happy to look after them free of charge as long as you stay within the hotel grounds. Leaving you with the difficult choice of whether to head to the hotel gym or go and drink coffee and eat cake at the stylish café.
Our family of four had a wonderful weekend in memorable Melaka. The kids are already asking if we can go back again to stay at the DoubleTree Hilton. For them the highlights were the breakfast buffet and the kids club, whilst for me it was the family friendly environment combined with the modern rooms and consistently charming customer service. If you are looking for somewhere extremely comfortable to stay away from the noise of the old town, this hotel will fit the bill!
The room rates vary, but hover around the RM400 mark – you can check the latest prices here. Extra beds are available for most room types.
Looking for fun things to do in Melaka with kids? Have a look here at our listicle!
We were hosted by The Doubletree Hilton Melaka for this review. All opinions, as always, are honest and our own.
2 Responses
It was our first time staying at Doubletree Melaka and I must say that we will be back soon.
The members of staff were impeccable … Anna, Judith and Khairul at reception were very accommodating, patient and kind. It made our stay more than pleasant and indeed, we had a very merry Christmas!
Great to hear! It is such a great base to exploring Melaka!