I've stayed in this resort/hotel twice-once for a conference and the other time on a holiday. Although dubbed a four- to five-star hotel, it does fall short if compared to international standards. However, if compared to its promotional prices, it does provide sufficient a value-for-money ratio.
The plus point of this hotel is its size. By Malacca standards, it is a sprawling hotel, even with its own beachfront. It has a variety of eating outlets; the best is the hard-to-find Italian restaurant next to the pub/bar. It serves good pastas and yummy pizzas.
The free-form pool is relaxing as long, as there are not too many people. Because of its size, this hotel is a popular venue for business conferences. The delegates and their families monopolise the pool and can be very noisy. Some of them also have different ideas of pool hygiene. During my last visit, there was a family who stood in the pool and happily ate a whole box of biscuits. I remember seeing the crumbs float by. But generally, on weekdays, the place is peaceful and quiet.
The rooms are all suites, thus consisting of a living area with a small kitchenette (actually just a sink) and a separate bedroom. Room maintenance is just satisfactory. There are no bathtubs, and the TV was generally snowy with no cable, but the windows offer a beautiful view of the sea.
It is a bit of a hassle if you intend to go to town. There is a shuttle bus every other hour, but if you are impatient, you can take a cab. However, cabs going to town are few and far between and waiting for 20 to 30 minutes is not uncommon. A trip down takes about 20 minutes and costs about 10 to 15 ringgit per person, so stay here if you only intend the occasional trip to town.
Visit their website for more info: http://www.malacca.ws/rivierabay/index.htm.