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If you’re thinking about making a trip to Freeport A’Famosa Outlet in Melaka—hold up. Let me tell you about my experience first, because it wasn’t quite the retail paradise I imagined.

I visited during the Chinese New Year long weekend, thinking it would be a fun little road trip with my best friend. We both needed a break and wanted to squeeze in a bit of shopping before heading back to reality.

Spoiler alert: it turned into more of a survival mission than a leisurely day out.

The Drive: Off to a Rough Start

The day kicked off with a spontaneous message from my best friend. I was cozy at home, fully planning to spend the day editing videos, when she suddenly texted:

“Hani! Let’s head to Freeport A’Famosa. I checked on Maps—it’s only an hour’s drive from here. No traffic jam.”

I was skeptical. Public holidays usually mean massive crowds, but she had been talking about going all week. So, against my better judgment, I replied:

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Big mistake.

The public holiday traffic hit hard. What should’ve been a quick 1-hour drive turned into a 2-hour crawl. No snacks, no drinks, and worst of all—empty stomachs. We’d brilliantly decided to skip the packed rest stops, thinking we’d just grab something later. So there we were: stuck in traffic, starving, dehydrated, and running solely on poor decisions. Classic.

Disappointment on Arrival

We were starving by the time we arrived, only to find that food options were very limited. The one proper sit-down restaurant was overflowing with people. KFC and Marrybrown were packed too—and were a definite no-go for us since we had both quit eating fast food. That left us with snack stalls. Not exactly the “cute girls’ lunch date” we had in mind.

At that point, hunger won. We grabbed what we could and sat on a bench, laughing at how hilariously unlucky the day was turning out to be.

To top it all off, it rained. The entire day was just a series of unfortunate events.

Shopping & Overall Experience

Honestly? I wasn’t impressed. While the outlet itself is clean and well-maintained (major kudos to the janitors—they were seriously on top of things!), the shopping selection felt pretty underwhelming. Most of the stores had standard items, and the discounts weren’t exactly show-stopping. There were a few decent finds here and there, but nothing that made me want to go on a spree.

The cleanliness of the place, including the restrooms, genuinely stood out. For such a crowded day, everything was impressively spotless.

But compared to places like Genting Premium Outlet (GPO)? Freeport A’Famosa just doesn’t come close in terms of variety, ambiance, or dining options. GPO still wins hands down.

The Silver Lining

If you’re planning to visit just for Instagram-worthy photos, Freeport A’Famosa does have a few charming spots that are photo-friendly. The European-inspired architecture does offer a few charming, photo-worthy corners if you’re there for the aesthetic. 

Plus, let’s not forget the one highlight of the trip—delicious ice cream that made the whole ordeal slightly more bearable.

Would I Go Again? 

Honestly? Probably not. Once was enough. Freeport A’Famosa just didn’t hit the mark for us. It fell short of the fun girls’ day out we had envisioned. If you’re already in the area and just want to stretch your legs or snap a few pics, sure—why not? But as a destination for serious shopping or a foodie adventure, there are far better options out there.

That said, I did walk away with a cute new purse after refusing to part with my old one for ages—so I guess that counts as a tiny win!

Not every getaway turns out as planned—and that’s okay. Sometimes the best part of a bad day is just having someone to laugh through it with. 

Until the next (hopefully better) adventure!

X, Hani 💙

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