Experience the charm of Melaka’s Peranakan heritage at Baba House
Looking to head off on a quick escape out of our sunny island, but not sure where you’d like to go this time? Take a road trip up North and prepare to immerse in a dreamy getaway filled with the colours and flavours of history, heritage, and all-around chill vibes. Known for their bustling arts scene, cultural communities, authentic street food, and myriad of interesting sights, the city of Melaka is definitely one to visit, where we’ll get to revitalise our souls with the legacy of the people before us.
A UNESCO Heritage City, Melaka’s wide range of unique experiences and accommodation options now boast the addition of the Baba House, a newly refurbished hotel modelled to present guests and visitors with a look into the richness of Peranakan culture.
Undergoing a significant facelift, Baba House is an 18th century heritage building at its core, sitting on what was once five rows of houses. Showcasing a touch of modernity to their authentic Peranakan experience, the hotel currently offers 100 oasis-inspired rooms filled with Peranakan décor and a range of modern amenities, including a rooftop bar and rooftop tanning pools where guests get to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the neighbourhood, as well as a quaint reading room with the history and culture of Melaka’s Peranakan communities.
The hotel’s immersive experience also includes picture-worthy, naturally-lit courtyards, an indoor garden, pond, and even a well with water. In line with preserving the community’s history and cultural soul, Baba House applies and promotes the traditional Peranakan language throughout the entire hotel.
Room types to choose from at Baba House includes the deluxe Bilek Hibiscus, deluxe plus Bilek Ruellia, Bilek Azalea junior suites, and Bilek Peony family suites.
Then satisfy your appetite at their Mari Chiak restaurant, where guests get to indulge in delicious spreads of Peranakan bites. Headed by Chef Baba Allan, of Peranakan descent himself, his menu features authentic Peranakan family recipes that’ve been passed down from generation to generation, then enhanced with years of finesse to showcase specialty dishes such as his Ayam Pongteh, which is slow braised chicken with potato and mushroom in fermented bean paste, Itik Tim, a beautiful duck soup with salted vegetables and sour plum, and Ikan Cili Garam, a fried fish dish with the restaurant’s signature Nyonya chilli paste.
And that’s not the end of what Baba House has to offer: situated along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, the hotel is within close proximity of most of Melaka’s must-visit sites, including Jonker Walk Street, the 17th-century Stadthuys buildings, Melaka River Park and Cruise, Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museums, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, and many more. All within a short walking distance, your Melaka experience will be one of ease and convenience, easily heading out or dropping back in the hotel anytime as you explore the vibrant sights and sounds of the city.
For reservations or more information, head over to Baba House’s website here.