Baba House: A Charming and Comfortable Home for 2 Weeks

Apr 8

Melaka is considered the birthplace of Malaysia. It was established around 1400 by Parameswara, a Sumatran prince and rapidly evolved from a fishing village into a premier 15th-century maritime trading sultanate, acting as a crucial, diverse cultural hub between China, India, and the West. Its strategic location led to colonization by the Portuguese (1511), Dutch (1641), and British (19th century) before Malaysian independence in 1957.

Because of this history, Melaka is also the heartland of PeranakanCulture (Baba = men; Nyonya = women), meaning "locally born" or "child," referring to the descendants of early foreign settlers who married indigenous Malay women in the Malay Archipelago. It signifies a unique hybrid culture blending Chinese, Malay, and European influences.

We are staying at a very lovely 4-star hotel called Baba House Melaka for only USD$75/night (booking.com) in the charming heart of old town UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hotel itself seems like a museum, having preserved the 18th-century structure featuring authentic Peranakan-style design, intricate woodwork, and traditional interior decor—typical of a Peranakan home during the Dutch era. It is located on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (formerly "Millionaire's Row") that conserves the architectural heritage.

We have enjoyed a daily routine of getting our walk in before it gets too hot in the day, using the gym, getting some sun at the rooftop soaking pools, and being able to choose from a million excellent restaurants and cafes doorsteps away in every direction.

We also found a brand new cocktail bar attached to the hotel called Arkib. It’s probably not supposed to be difficult to find, but without signage, we are directed through a different restaurant, and up a flight of stairs next to the gym that we use during the day…it does feel speakeasy-esque. We got to learn more about the cocktails and their vision from the owners. The flavor profiles are local to Melaka and very interesting, for example:

Satay: Southeast Asian skewered, marinated, and charcoal-grilled meats
Assamboi: Malaysian drink made from calamansi lime juice, sugar, and salty dried sour plums
Keluak: seed of the Indonesian Pangium edule tree, often called the "truffle of Southeast Asia" for their deep, earthy, and savory umami flavor
Cendol: Southeast Asian iced dessert featuring green, worm-like pandan-flavored rice flour jellies, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup, often served with shaved ice and other toppings like red beans or jackfruit
Laksa: Peranakan spicy noodle soup featuring thick rice noodles in a rich, fragrant broth
Etc.

Again, people we meet are surprised by two things. (1) They don’t come across too many Americans, and (2) they don’t understand why we’re here in Melaka for almost 2-weeks, when this is a “day trip” sort of tourist attraction for most.

Baba House has been the perfectly comfortable home away from home. We can’t wait to share the charming beauty of this historic city soon!