1825 Gallery Hotel

## Environment: The common area entrance is barely presentable; the paintings on the walls have a local feel and clearly look like original artworks, not prints. The central atrium lighting seems to be an original feature from the old building, not a renovation. ## Facilities: I booked a windowless room, supposedly a "king-size bed" room. Setting aside that the size was just adequate, because there was no natural light, everything in the room reeked of mildew. The designer chose old cabinets and tables that gave it an almost anachronistic feel. Given that the hotel is in Southeast Asia, one could argue they were trying hard to create an authentic old-world experience. NO FRIDGE! NO FRIDGE! (Yes, I know it was listed in the hotel description, but this is Southeast Asia…) The so-called 1.8-meter king bed was two single beds pushed together. Anyone who's slept on one knows exactly what that's like. ## Hygiene: Now for the most dreadful part. In a windowless room, the air conditioning noise was incredibly loud. Used towels remained completely damp even after a full day. One side of the拼接床 (pieced-together bed) had a stain about 30 cm in diameter… It was very late when I checked in, so I just had to cover it with a towel and try to ignore it. I thought that was the end of it, but even with all the lights on, the room was still dim. Both small hand towels in the bathroom looked like they'd been used for over ten years, with yellowed spots and a grimy film. I peeked inside the hot water kettle, and it was rusty. Decided not to use it; I'd rather drink cold water. The hairdryer was a model from about 15 years ago. This hotel is by far the worst I've stayed in at this price point in recent years for a short stay. It's even dirtier and worse than an overnight room next to an airport in a fourth-tier city in China. It directly led to me booking an early morning flight just to get out of there. (See pictures). ## Service: On the day of check-in, there was a Chinese-speaking person who seemed to be the proprietress. The rest of the time, it was English-speaking Malaysians. They didn't greet me, had expressionless faces, and there was hardly any service to speak of.

The location is truly strategic. It's right in the heart of Bandar Hilir, and walking along the Melaka River is just a short distance behind. There are also many delicious eateries next door and in front, so it's definitely worth it. The room was comfortable. This is the only hotel I've stayed at that actually provides conditioner! I was so impressed. The hotel has a Bali vibe – very beautiful and peaceful. The only scary part was the parking 😅, it was really narrow. I hope the hotel management finds more suitable parking for guests, because I will definitely be staying here again for my next vacation 🫣

The stay was great, and the room package including breakfast was excellent value for money. I rented a scooter near the hotel for RM40/day and used it for two days to explore more of the area. The hotel is conveniently located right by the Strait of Malacca, with plenty of food options nearby. They also offer free parking, including dedicated motorcycle spots right at the entrance. Across the street, there's a wholesale shop, so you're sure to come away with lots of goodies when visiting Malacca.