Rosa Malacca

With its brownstone facade and industrial-chic interiors, Rosa Malacca looks more New York than Kuala Lumpur. Somehow, the aesthetic doesn’t seem entirely out of place, given that the city itself, Melaka — once a major international trading center, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — has long been a cultural melting pot. Why not a boutique hotel reminiscent of a Brooklyn loft, built with clay bricks and recycled wood, with the beams and ductwork exposed?

Rosa Malacca has all the requisite trimmings, from polished cement floors and concrete floors to the monochromatic color scheme and an open-air courtyard strung with twinkling lights. Guest rooms and suites are larger than the local standard, with bespoke furnishings, a monochrome palette, bold wall murals, and bathrooms lined with subway tile. Higher-end suites come with modern four-poster beds and extra lounge space.

Downstairs on the ground level, an all-day café features a sleek coffee bar and a rotating menu of comfort food inspired by various international cuisines — and it’s a quick drive to Jonker Walk and its famous night market, not to mention Melaka’s many palaces, churches, and historic monuments.