Melaka’s latest LiùMén Hotel which translated, means ‘Six doors’ by virtue of six shoplots being converted into a charming boutique luxury hotel has been launched.
By Yvonne Yoong
Time and chance happens to all of us. However, for Jason Pang Hee Li, Co-owner of the amazingly aesthetic Liu Men Hotel in Melaka, the chanced opportunity which presented itself in the form of him coming across the current property purely by coincidence proved to be the starting point for the initiation of this boutique hotel.
The timing itself too was purely strategic as Melaka now finds itself in the limelight, solidifying its position as a tourism destination of late.
“We initially had no plans to establish a hotel but as time went by and Melaka started experiencing a revival of sorts as a tourism destination, we decided to embark on this boutique hotel project in 2016. Taking an overall over one years of planning for this boutique hotel plus construction amounting to approximately three years, what was once a dream started to take shape till the doors of the hotel finally opened, to rave reviews.
Stepping into the exquisitely designed LiùMén Hotel, was akin to entering an era combining modern day aesthetics with the nostalgia of the past. Entering via the open air car park, we made our way via the corridor of the boutique hotel to be greeted by a spectacular
entrance bathed in sunlight, by virtue of the skyroof.
Settling for a mid-day afternoon tea time treat with the most equisite blend of great coffee, good company and aesthetic ambience, we were also given a comprehensive tour of the various rooms. In all, there are five types of rooms named after heros from the pages of history books the likes of Hang Jebat, Hang Tuah, Kapitan, Cheng Ho Suites as well as Parameswara which comprise Suites.
“All our rooms are uniquely shaped and sized, as built within an 80-year old building.” shares Pang.
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“Jebat and Hang Tuah offer a ‘go back-in-time’ experience with charming rooms, ceilings and floorings. The location of these rooms gives guests a feel of living in the property before it was even transformed into a hotel,” he adds.
“Kapitan is our deluxe rooms offering spacious areas, designer fittings and furniture as well as a bathtub.Meanwhile, Cheng Ho is our favorite amongst lovebirds for its large stylish bathroom with an iconic free-standing bath.
“The Parameswara Suite meanwhile is recommended to guests looking for the ultimate heritage boutique hotel experience. This comprise the largest of the rooms, with a private balcony and designer fittings as well as furniture. Incidentally, this room carries the name of the founder of Melaka in honor of his prestige.”
LiùMén also caters to clients wanting to indulge in private and intimate gatherings. It has hosted weddings, birthday parties, high-tea sessions and dinner gatherings. It is also open to host brand launches or lifestyle promotions in the near future once the lockdown is over, which admittedly has had an impact on the travel industry, with the hotel sector not being spared with international plus interstate travel restrictions.
The great feedback from its clients is perhaps due to the unconventional yet intimate setting of the hotel. In fact, it is normal to witness all 30 rooms of the hotel being fully booked pre-lockdown, with a total of 60 guests in total at any one time.
Common feedback from guests point to the fascination they have in staying at this heritage boutique hotel with its distinctive nostalgic charm complemented by its modern take on design, while being situated in an amazingly central location within The old town of Melaka.
“Clients feedback inform us that their search for an authentic travel experience in Melaka was found in. LiùMén where attention to design details, workmanship, service level, comfort and convenience made their stay truly memorable,” shares Pang.
Counted among LiùMén’s notable guests include country ambassadors, business leaders and celebrities – just to name a few. Furthermore, the upper elite appreciate the fact that LiùMén cultivates a culture of privacy for the benefit of its guests, keeping their identities a secret.
The recurring number six reappears throughout the hotel as a design motif to the eagle eyed. Natural marble tiles and cast iron used or the hotel’s iconic stairbase is also a sight to behold taking centrestage at teh hotel while natural timbers such as Chengal makes its presence on the doors and window while Merbau makes fro sturdy flooring while Jati and Mahogany appear on the range of the hotel’s repertoire of furniture.
“There was alot of customisation involved which took a long time to complete. Meanwhile, the spiral staircase is a feature for heritage houses in Melaka. We wanted to bring that feature into the interior to serve both as a statement piece and a functional piece,” elaborates Pang.