BIRDCAGE MELAKA
BED·BRUNCH·BACKPACK

One of the most key things of a journey is accommodation. If you have a horrible stay, it will most likely spoil your entire trip. It might also cost you a lot of money if you don't plan ahead of time.

In the heart of Melaka's UNESCO World Heritage Site, you may simply find a variety of guesthouses. There is a guest suite, Birdcage, on Jalan Kampung Pantai in Melaka that appears unremarkable yet has 4.9 stars in Google reviews. There is just one review with one star but positive remarks among the 139 total reviews. The guest put only one star there to make people believe in the rating. Let's take a look at this unusual birdcage together! 

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Let’s talk about how you started Birdcage!

After leaving my 9-5 job at an established coffee shop chain and taking a gap year as a freelance wedding photographer, I start running a guesthouse in 2016. It all began with a visit to the old but well-preserved two-story heritage shophouse in Kampung Pantai on 9 September 2016. The first guesthouse Sunb Residence Melaka was my first guesthouse, and Birdcage started opening right across the street from it at the commencement of MCO.

Sunb Residence Melaka was closed down? Why?

Yes. At the time, the MCO began to impose and there were no tourists in Melaka. Besides, I've always been interested in desserts and culinary delights, but operating the entire guesthouse by myself was taking up all of my time. So, I decided to turn it into a café with a guest suite alone upstairs, which is how Birdcage came to be. 

Both of your guesthouse's names are unique. What inspired you to choose these names?

The “Sun” in Sunb Residence Melaka means three in Chinese, and the three b’s stand for bed, brunch and backpack. For Birdcage, this name suddenly come into my mind as I was sitting alone at this café, observing a flock of birds outside. This scene reminds me of my place, which is similar to a birdcage in that you may come in whenever you need a rest, but once you come in, you will never want to leave. 

That's pretty interesting! So, tell us what makes your place stand out from the other countless competitive guesthouse around Melaka.

I believe the major reason is myself! Haha! In terms of amenities and facilities, you can always find a better one somewhere else. You can always get a property that is less expensive than mine. My hospitality is something you can only experience at my residence. I believe it is my nature to make others feel comfortable and secure when they interact with me. I always put myself in their shoes and offer them the experience I would want if I were travelling today.

You seem to have a great relationship with your guests! Can you tell us about the most interesting guest you've ever met? Either in a good or terrible way.

Yes. Many of them are still in contact with me. Last Christmas, I received several well-wishes from them, as well as a postcard from my former English guest. When I hosted this solo Korean woman backpacker, I had a really regretful yet hilarious experience. When she arrived at my residence to check in, I was away for an emergency, so I notified her and requested her to wait a bit. When I returned, she appeared unhappy, so I advised her to change the guesthouse and agreed to fully refund her because I believe my property is not fit for her. But she insisted on staying. We use Google Translate during our conversation since she cannot communicate adequately in English. I returned to work after showing her the room. She abruptly returned to the lobby, crying. She showed me her phone and asked where she might find her room key. Then I realised I still had her key! I was feeling really terrible for myself at the time. When she returned from outside at night, I was chatting with a German guest who also speaks Korean. Then I requested her to assist me in telling the Korean visitor how sorry I was for that afternoon. She went on to say that actually, she had cried because she had missed the Melaka Duck Tour. We all busted out laughing when we realised why she was crying. In the end, she had a great time in my place. I was pleased that, despite the fact that our encounter did not begin well, it ended warmly.

It's a very unexpected response! As I know you were a backpacker who travelled to many countries, I'm curious why you'd want to settle down and open your own café and guesthouse in your hometown.

Yes, I've visited 15 countries thus far. When I travel to different places, I like to meet the locals and attempt to live as locally as possible. When I run my own café and guesthouse, I get to meet people from all over the world in a new way. All of the memories and stories we shared are the most precious gift I have gotten over the last six years.

What is the best advice you would provide to a newbie backpacker, given your vast experience?

Always have an open mind to locals and other travellers; this is the actual purpose of travel. Making new acquaintances on your travels may also help you save money because you can split expenses like transportation and food preparation costs among groups. Don't spend all of your time on your phone or with your own circle of buddies. As a result, I prefer to travel alone.

What a word of advice! Birdcage is also well known for a variety of simple yet delicious desserts that are hard to come by in Melaka, such as pavlova, torte, scone, Eton Mess, and others. Which type of dessert would you be if you were a dessert? Why?

Yes, I learn to cook and bake desserts on my own. There is no fixed menu here because I'm always looking to try something new. I guess I'd be a Tiramisu if I were a dessert. Because I learned how to make tiramisu from a guest, and all of my customers enjoy it. The recipe is like a reward from all of my guests, and it has helped shape who I am today.

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Birdcage Melaka

Entire studio guest suite (2 guests)

1 double bed & 1 sofa bed - 1 shared bathroom

RM70 / night

(Price may vary depending on the season)

Address:

52, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka

Contact No.: +60 129060091

*Direct booking with host is recommended!