Melaka is one of those places near KL we love to visit. We’ve been there four times already and we just keep coming back for the atmosphere, the night market in the weekends, the colourful trishaws and the food. The last time we went we looked for a hotel with family rooms and a pool near the UNESCO heritage site and decided on The Rucksack Caratel.
What is The Rucksack Caratel Melaka?
The Rucksack Caratel in Melaka is a simple, small and modern hotel with a nice ambience. There is a pool, a foosball table and some swings (for your insta pictures). A simple buffet breakfast with nasi lemak, eggs, toast with jam, coffee and tea is included in the room rate. We stayed in the family deluxe room, which was small but nice and light, thanks to the big windows. The sink was very close to the bed, so we had to be careful while using it to avoid a wet bed. There is a small lift, big enough for families with strollers, to get to the rooms upstairs. On the ground floor is a ‘caravan park’, which offers family rooms too, close to the breakfast- and reception area. It might get noisy in the mornings if you stay in one of the rooms located on the ground floor.
The hotel doesn’t have a menu for lunch or dinner. It didn’t bother us, as Melaka has so many great restaurant options. Hotel parking is limited to 8 parking lots only which are available on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. However, public parking is nearby (less than a 1-minute walk) for RM5 per day – on Saturday and Sunday you can park here for free.
Why did we love The Rucksack Caratel?
Although The Rucksack Caratel is not the kind of hotel where you would stay and relax the whole day, we did enjoy this place. The staff is friendly and the kids loved the pool. There are a few sunbeds next to the pool to relax with a good book. It’s the perfect place to visit the closeby Melaka’s Unesco heritage sites. The Rucksack Caratel is conveniently located, just a few hundred meters from the river, Jonker Street and very close to the historical sites (the palace, the remains of the church, etc.). Be mindful of the fact that alcohol is not available nor allowed in this hotel.
Where is it?
The Rucksack Caratel is located at 107 Jalan Banda Kaba, Melaka, just behind the Melaka Sultanate Palace.
Would you like to know more about Melaka? Read our post with things to do in Melaka here. More of our favourite hotels and restaurants in Melaka can be found here.
Snapshots is a series of short articles, highlighting handpicked little (or bigger) gems in and around KL, which are too good not to mention and to share with our readers.
We paid for our stay at the Rucksack Caratel. All opinions are honest and our own – as always!
