Classic Cambodia

Located approximately five miles from the famed Angkor Wat, Amansara is sleek, stylish and superbly private. Formerly the guest villa of King Norodom Sihanouk, the grounds were originally laid out in 1962 and designed to embrace both modern design and the rich artistic legacy of Cambodia. This tranquil oasis is surrounded by beautiful gardens and includes a curved slate swimming pool. The 24 suites are decorated in a classic Indochinese palette of cool gray, pristine white, dark timber and ivory, and all include a private courtyard and soothing water features; 12 suites are equipped with private swimming pools. The Roof Garden, shaded by trees, is the ideal venue for relaxing by candlelight with cocktails, or for invigorating morning yoga sessions. The Spa, which has four treatment rooms, focuses on therapeutic Cambodian techniques using organic products. Every suite has access to its own remork and driver. On the 2007 Zagat Survey list of the world’s best hotels, Amansara was ranked number two for service.

The Park Hyatt is a new addition to Cambodia’s select five-star hotel crowd. The hotel was previously Hotel De La Paix, one of the country’s top properties, and has been rebranded after a complete renovation. This new and exciting hotel is situated in one of Asia’s major emerging cultural destinations, providing ultimate indulgence and impeccable service. Designed by award-winning Bangkok-based interior designer Bill Bensley, Park Hyatt won Cambodia’s No. 1 hotel spot in Travel + Leisure and ranked No. 29 in its World’s Best Hotels 2010 list. Park Hyatt Siem Reap features 104 guestrooms, a choice of restaurants, a bar, fresh bakery, two swimming pools, a spa and fitness center.

The acclaimed architect Bill Bensley has worked his magic on this gorgeous hotel, creating an altogether contemporary space with Angkorian-inspired designs throughout. As well as looking the part, Shinta Mani Angkor enjoys an ideal location in the heart of Siem Reap, tucked away down a quiet, leafy road in the city’s famous old French quarter. The position is ideal for touring the town, enjoying the splendid array of Asian-French dining options and of course, taking a trip to Siem Reap’s prized possession: Angkor Wat. The temple complex is only a 15-minute tuk-tuk or car ride away from the hotel, and other nearby attractions include the National Museum, night market and the Royal Gardens. The range of rooms at Shinta Mani have a distinctly boutique feel to them, with quaint, artistic references to the ancient history of Cambodia sitting alongside a wide range of facilitates making this a relaxing and comfortable place to stay. Away from the rooms, guests can take a dip in the inviting garden-side pool, ease their aching muscles in the hotel’s spa, or enjoy one of their many swanky restaurants and bars spread across the hotel and surrounding area.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal is one of Phnom Penh's premier historic properties. First established in 1929, the hotel hosted an international clientele comprising globetrotters and adventurers, writers and journalists, royalty and dignitaries. Reopened in 1997 after a careful restoration, the grand historic hotel fulfills all the requirements of a modern world-class hotel with its facilities and amenities, but imparts an old-world charm through its style and decor. Raffles Hotel Le Royal has 170 guest rooms, suites and executive apartments, which are spread over three separate but interconnecting low-rise wings, set around the garden courtyard and swimming pools. There are five distinctive restaurants and bars, encompassing traditional French and Khmer cuisine at Restaurant Le Royal, Café Monivong and Le Phnom Deli, and the Elephant Bar, the home of the Airavata, a cocktail of secret ingredients. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is only a 20 minutes’ drive from Pochentong International Airport and within easy access of the city’s attractions such as the Royal Palace, Central Market, Russian Market and the National Artefacts Museum.

Rosewood Phnom Penh occupies the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower which soars 188 meters above the heart of Phnom Penh’s business district. The property has a total of 175 rooms, including 37 suites, each with unparalleled views of the city and elegantly furnished to create comfortable, residential-style living spaces. Guests can choose amongst a variety of in-house dining options, including continental, Japanese, French and Cambodia fare as well as a steak and seafood grill. Oenophiles and wine connoisseurs can sample wines or enjoy a bottle from the Wine Vault’s extensive range of fine wines. Sense, the Rosewood brand’s signature spa, will offer guests a tranquil haven and wellness getaway, while the fitness center provides wide views of the city skyline and state-of-the-art fitness equipment available 24 hours a day.

This ambitious luxury tented camp is renowned hotel designer Bill Bensley's latest creation. Inspired by a Cambodian jungle safari carried out by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the late Sixties, the Shinta Mani Wild blends whimsical touches with safari sensibilities, making for a truly memorable experience. Within the resort’s 15 elevated tent accommodations, bold colors, hardwood furnishings, and rich leathers inspire an atmosphere of adventure and plush style. The luxuriously appointed tents open up to outdoor-decked living areas with bathtubs that provide wonderful views of the surrounding nature. Tents are elevated so as to not disturb the movement of wildlife below, and some are perched over waterfalls and river rapids. Meals are served al fresco at the Waterfall Restaurant. The menu consists of gourmet, seasonal dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients. Khmer classics are heavily featured on the menu, but there are some international options as well. The resort’s best quality, however, may be its location. Scenic river valleys and waterfall-laced rainforest paths are at the guests’ fingertips, and the Shinta Mani Wild is more than equipped to help guests get the most of their experience. There is also a Khmer Spa, an outdoor bar, and an army of private butlers on hand. Moreover, part of the hotel’s revenue is used to help preserve the surrounding private nature sanctuary, and many environmental considerations were made during the construction.

Six Senses Krabey Island in Cambodia – located just a short drive and speedboat ride from Sihanoukville Airport – is comprised of 40 pool villas set against the picturesque and natural landscape of this beautiful island. Employing the best in sustainable and environmentally-responsible building materials alongside cutting edge technology, the villas include a luxurious master bedroom, separate bathroom and tub, and outdoor rain showers, as well as a private plunge pool and outside decking – ideal for sunbathing and al fresco poolside dining. The resort boasts four restaurants and bars, including a deli and ice-cream parlor, as well as Tree Restaurant - the resort’s specialty dining restaurant, which also offers cooking classes to guests intrigued to learn some of the finer points of local cuisine. To experience the best this spa resort has to offer, guests should take advantage of the Six Senses Integrative Wellness, detox, yoga programs, or pay a visit to the Alchemy Bar, where they will find a cornucopia of different treatments by resident experts, in addition to the groundbreaking therapies of visiting practitioners.

Song Saa Private Island spans the pristine golden beaches and lush rainforest of two islands: Koh Quen and Koh Bong.  These islands, locally known as “The Sweethearts” (Song Saa), are joined by a sustainably built footbridge, which protects the islands’ natural reefs and exotic marine life  Along with the islands’ bucolic vistas, the resort itself offcrs luxurious amenities, including a yoga center bordering the shoreline, spa and wellness sanctuaries among the rainforest, and all the equipment and expertise necessary for kayaking, snorkeling, and boating.  When it comes to dining, guests enjoy a choice of exotic cuisine, locally sourced and prepared to reflect the islands’ unique environs while fusing traditional Khner cooking with Western culinary tradition.  Stop by the Driftwood Bar for a casual tapas meal by the beach or for a slightly more formal but equally scenic and relaxing dining experience, enjoy the Vista Bar and Restaurant.