A playful luminescence dances on the gently rippling water, the reflections caused by rays of light illuminating from the sun in the distance.

Those around the hotel's infinity pool come to a standstill - some have chanced upon the sunset's splendour by accident, others a premeditated choice to witness the daily occurrence.

A sense of timelessness straddling the past and present is imparted to the scene, a befitting parallel to the property's unique position and identity.

Holiday Inn Melaka, which opened in October last year, resides in one of the most visited tourist states in Malaysia, one that possesses a culturally-rich old-world charm, but is also standing on the edge of a burgeoning modernity.

Staring out the window from any of the 275 guest rooms in the hotel will instantly tell you the story.

There are two dominant views of Malacca from the hotel's location at Jalan Syed Abdul Aziz, one of the city skyline and the other of the Straits of Malacca - both equally beautiful and picturesque on its individual terms.

It is particularly ingenious that room furnishings and upholstery have a muted, understated feel - various palettes of browns and beiges - which then allow the room view to be the centre of attention.

In the foreground of the city view, we see the symbiosis of the old and new - three-storey red-roofed white shophouses and the singular expanse of a shopping mall called Mahkota Parade.

The Straits of Malacca perspective reveals how 'old' has become 'new'. In addition to the peaceful serenity of the straits, room occupants can glance upon the RM7 million (S$3m) refurbished Melaka Pier, now christened The Jetty.

The 300-metre waterfront dining and entertainment facility is targeted for completion in June, and is expected to feature a whopping 55 karaoke rooms, three premier restaurants, bars and pubs, and some 60 to 80 retail outlets.

Holiday Inn Melaka is one of the few hotels in Malacca which offers such magnificent views of the state, and at the same time is a stone's throw away from attractions like Jonker Street and the city's newest mall, the Dataran Pahlawan Megamall.

The former - a 15 to 20-minute walk away - is famed among collectors and shoppers, who scour the place for purchases ranging from old china to pineapple tarts.

Despite being 'located' at the crossroads of rich traditions and rapid development, Holiday Inn Melaka is no pushover when it comes to staking its own identity.

Inside the main lobby, the hotel eschews the opulent trimmings of big-name properties for a more modern and chic feel. The generous admission of natural sunlight and reflective marble floor creates a naturally warm brightness - one that is visually appealing and inviting.

After all, founder Kemmons Wilson came up with the brand Holiday Inn during his travelling heydays, as he searched for accommodation that was affordable, casual, and family-friendly.

Traces of local culture subtly seep into the hotel's being, as evidenced in the spa's usage of treatment ingredients, or even the toppings of a pizza.

The Mediterranean-style Sirocco restaurant, for example, boasts a delectable Pizza al Sirocco which uses condiments prevalent in Malacca cuisine - red chilli, lemongrass and young ginger - to enhance the flavour of the chicken and lamb.

The Marinara pasta, a tangy concoction of spaghetti, cigar lobsters and fresh herbs, employs an unusual Middle Eastern chilli paste, Harrisa, which enhances what would be a usually tart tomato base.

Customers visiting the Tea Tree Spa will be delighted to find how the facility's décor and architecture differs from the hotel's. The treatment rooms are all built 'Peranakan' villa-style in a giant open balcony, with pitched roofs and timber exteriors, and a serene view overlooking the Straits of Malacca.

It is a welcoming transformation which instantly puts the spa visitor at ease, invariably setting the mood for a more satisfying experience.

"Spirit of Melaka", a signature treatment at the spa, uses different body scrubs for male and female customers. Here, the women enjoy the Javanese Lulur, a soft, less abrasive substance, while the men get their exfoliation through the rough, root powder of a well-known Malaysian herb, the Tongkat Ali.

In essence, Holiday Inn Melaka has delicately incorporated elements of the local culture into an international brand, but without coming across as clichéd. They serve as gentle reminders and references to the guest of where he or she is, hence carefully negotiating the bland uniformity which many big brand name hotels fall prey to.

Whether by design or by chance, the hotel's location in Melaka boasts superb views of the state - one in a midst of change and yet holding on to its own rich past - which will remain interesting for many years to come.

The writer's trip was courtesy of Holiday Inn. Transport arrangements courtesy of Hertz.