Tag along as our contributor checks in at the new Dusit Princess Melaka, discovering how Thai hospitality complements Melaka’s heritage. (Image by David Bowden.)
Dusit Princess Melaka, Dusit International’s first Malaysian hotel, recently opened in Melaka. This well-known Thai hotel group is introducing a new standard of Thai-inspired hospitality in Malaysia.
With so much competition in this UNESCO World Heritage city, it’s important for new hotels to stand out from the crowd. The 296-room Dusit Princess is a ‘new-old’ hotel, in that it is a fully renovated property that was once the Ramada Plaza Melaka Hotel. Now, it is a portfolio member of the Thai-owned Dusit, which has been operating hotels in the kingdom since 1948, with its flagship, Dusit Thani, one of the nation’s most highly respected luxury hotels.
Strategically located close to the core and buffer zones of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dusit Princess combines modern convenience with local heritage, offering guests unobstructed views of the heritage city and the Strait of Malacca.
With five-star facilities, contemporary comforts, and Dusit’s signature brand of Thai-inspired hospitality, the property caters to the needs of contemporary travellers while celebrating the cultural soul of Melaka.
From little things, big things grow
While there are hints of Thai hospitality (the occasional sawadee), it is Melaka’s heritage that stood out for me when I recently stayed in the hotel. While there, I appreciated the small touchpoints which made my stay memorable. It was the little things like doing the rounds of the breakfast tables with freshly baked pastries, grand marble detailing in the lobby, classic wooden antique furniture, beverage options in the club lounge, evening turn-down service, and the availability of newspapers at breakfast (remember them?).
It was this attention to detail that made the Dusit Princess stand out.
Relaxing rooms
All rooms offer panoramic views over Melaka town or the Strait of Malacca. My room had views of the water and the old terracotta-roofed terraces/shoplots of the old town. I opted to pay for club lounge access and was most grateful that I did.
The room was very comfortable with a soothing colour scheme of light brown, cream, white, and black. The bed was most comfortable, and the room had all the modern conveniences one expects in a hotel. The spacious bathroom has a tub and a freestanding shower.
Food & facilities
Among the hotel’s facilities are a swimming pool, a fully equipped 24-hour gym, and the distinctive dining venues—all-day Zest Restaurant, Long Feng Chinese Restaurant, and the vibrant Famosa Lounge.
An impressive breakfast is served in Zest Restaurant located in the lobby, but guests are warned it gets quite crowded at peak hours. Surprisingly, club floor guests take their breakfast here too and not in the club lounge, but this may change in the coming months.
With so many affordable hawker options in Melaka, there is a temptation to dine outside the hotel, but it is my recommendation to consider dim sum at Long Feng, a stylish and comfortable setting on the hotel’s first floor. The décor and service here are very good, and the ambience is relaxing and enjoyable. Plus, the menu is extensive with both dim sum and à la carte selections, including several pages of tea offerings.
While I did most of my drinking in the club lounge, I had a look at the food and beverage selection at Famosa Lounge in the lobby. I was very surprised at the range and modest pricing of most items, which confirmed the management’s desire to see their guests stay in-house to enjoy all that the hotel has to offer.
Club privacy
I was delighted that the Dusit Princess offered a ‘hotel within a hotel’ on their exclusive club floor (24th floor). In line with the inclination for family fun in Melaka, children are allowed into the club lounge, but I was pleased that there were quite distinct nooks in the spacious lounge. These ranged from an enclosed tiled verandah overlooking the strait to discrete formal lounge areas and two private meeting rooms.
Evening cocktails and canapés are served from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, and the beverage offerings especially match most cocktail hours offered by Kuala Lumpur’s best hotels. I enjoyed sampling some of the New Zealand sparkling wines, two white and one red wine, two beers, a cider, sodas, and juices on offer. The lounge is professionally managed by Hilmi, who ensures all guests are well looked after.
Immersion in history
Guests also have access to a range of curated local experiences that offer an immersive journey through the city’s sights, flavours, and cultures. I joined barista Wan, who tried to teach me the skill of creating decorative foamed coffees, but sadly I failed miserably.
I also knew that guided walks through the area were on offer, but I chose to wander through neighbouring Kampung Morten and along the riverbanks.
It is important to also wander among the mangroves lining the river just in front of The Shore Shopping Gallery. Walk slowly through here and you will see, from the elevated walkways, numerous gigantic monitor lizards sunning themselves among the aerial roots of the mangroves.
Incentivised travel
Dusit Princess Melaka has launched an opening special offer, ‘Melaka Retreat’, inviting guests to enjoy daily breakfast at Zest, an RM50 daily food and beverage credit redeemable at any of the hotel’s dining outlets, complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability), and an additional 15% discount for Dusit Gold members. The offer is available for bookings up until 4 January 2026.
Dusit Princess Melaka
Address: Jalan Bendahara, 75100 Melaka
Phone: +60 6284 8888
