Ramada Plaza Melaka: Closure & Rebranding Guide

The Ramada Plaza Melaka, a landmark hotel on Jalan Bendahara, closed its doors indefinitely on 30 June 2020 after nearly four decades of operation. The property has since been rebranded as Dusit Princess Melaka, which opened in December 2024 under Thailand’s Dusit International. This article traces the hotel’s history, the reasons for its closure, and what travellers can expect from the new Dusit Princess.

Last checked: 2026-07-15

Full name: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Melaka · Status: Indefinitely closed (as of July 1, 2020) · Address: Jalan Bendahara, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia · Former phone: 06-284 8888

What is the new name of Ramada hotel Melaka?

The Ramada Plaza Melaka has been rebranded as Dusit Princess Melaka. The property, which closed on 30 June 2020, was taken over by Dusit Hotels and Resorts, a Thai hospitality group. According to a press release distributed by 4Hoteliers, the building underwent a “refurbishment and complete rebranding” to match the upper‑midscale Dusit Princess brand. A soft opening was scheduled for 7 December 2024.

Dusit executive David Roberts confirmed on LinkedIn that the signing occurred in late 2023, calling the property an “existing 294 room property in the heart of Melaka which will undergo some soft improvements over the coming months.” The rebranding marks Dusit’s debut in Malaysia.

What this means: Travellers looking for the old Ramada will instead find a refreshed hotel under a new brand, with a different positioning and service ethos.

Timeline: From Ramada Plaza Melaka to Dusit Princess Melaka

The hotel’s story spans more than four decades. Originally known as the Renaissance Melaka Hotel, it became the Ramada Plaza under Wyndham Hotel Group Asia Pacific. The building had 294 rooms before closure (Yahoo News Malaysia).

• 28 April 2020: The owners, MTB Realty Sdn Bhd, sent a letter to the National Union of Hotel, Bar and Restaurant Workers stating that “the continued operation of the hotel is no longer viable” due to COVID‑19 and the Movement Control Order (Yahoo News Malaysia).
• 30 June 2020: Last working day for staff and effective cessation of operations (Sinar Harian).
• Late 2023: Dusit Hotels and Resorts signs an agreement to take over the building (LinkedIn – David Roberts).
• 7 December 2024: Soft opening of Dusit Princess Melaka (4Hoteliers).

The closure was part of a wider wave of Malaysian hotel shutdowns. The union’s secretary general, Rusli Affandi, told Sinar Harian that Ramada Plaza Melaka was among hotels that “closing operations completely,” not just temporarily.

“As a result of this crisis, the continued operation of the hotel is no longer viable… the owners have now decided to close the business of the hotel indefinitely.”

– Yang Peng Chee and Yeo Pang Kheng, directors of MTB Realty Sdn Bhd, in the closure letter (via Yahoo News Malaysia)

The pattern: The Ramada Plaza Melaka’s closure was not a temporary suspension; it was a full and indefinite shutdown, later replaced by a completely new brand.

Is Ramada a premium hotel?

The star rating for the former Ramada Plaza Melaka varied significantly across platforms. Yelp listed it as 3‑star, Trivago as 5‑star, and hotel‑rez.com as 4‑star. Under the Wyndham umbrella, Ramada is positioned as a midscale to upper‑midscale brand, not a luxury tier. The property itself had 294 rooms, a restaurant, and a pool, but guest reviews on sites like YouTube student presentations noted inconsistent service, such as slow room service and rooms not being ready despite online bookings.

By contrast, the new Dusit Princess Melaka is explicitly marketed as an “upper‑midscale” hotel under Dusit’s Dusit Princess brand, targeting both business and leisure travellers (Hospitality Net). It has 296 keys, a slight increase from the original 294, suggesting minor reconfiguration (BW Hotelier).

The trade-off: If you value consistent brand standards and a known level of service, the new Dusit Princess may offer a more predictable experience than the old Ramada, which had mixed reviews.

Does Ramada have a pool?

Yes, the original Ramada Plaza Melaka had a swimming pool. While specific dimensions or operating hours are not detailed in the sources we reviewed, the question’s prevalence on popular‑answer platforms indicates the pool was a notable amenity. The Dusit Princess Melaka, occupying the same building, is likely to retain a pool as part of its refurbishment, though no official confirmation has been published.

For travellers who prioritise pool access, it is worth checking directly with the new hotel once operational. Trade publications such as 4Hoteliers describe the property as “refurbished and completely rebranded,” which suggests the pool area may have been updated.

Pros and cons of the Ramada legacy vs. the new Dusit Princess

The Dusit Princess Melaka addresses several of these issues: it has a consistent brand positioning (upper‑midscale), a refurbished interior, and a dedicated operator with a strong reputation in Asia. However, as a new entrant, it has yet to build a track record of guest satisfaction.

Alternatives for your Malacca stay

With the Ramada Plaza Melaka no longer taking bookings, travellers to Malacca have several options. The city centre is dense with hotels, from budget guesthouses to international brands. Based on the input data, the most direct alternative is the Dusit Princess Melaka itself, which occupies the same building and offers a refreshed experience. Other hotels in the area include boutique properties along Jonker Street and mid‑scale chains near the river.

The union’s report in Sinar Harian noted that Shah Beach Melaka and Shah Village Petaling Jaya also closed permanently, indicating that the pandemic reshaped the local hospitality landscape significantly. For travellers who valued the Ramada’s location and size, the Dusit Princess is the most logical replacement.

Our pick: Why Dusit Princess Melaka is the right choice

Frequently asked questions about Ramada Hotel Melaka