Cambodia first emerged on the international travel scene as a backpacker destination, but it is firmly cementing itself as an excellent choice for the luxury traveller. Known for its stunning temples, charming countryside and pristine tropical beaches, it is an exceptionally lovely choice for any luxury holiday. Cambodia has a bit of everything, a rich and diverse culture, fascinating and often tumultuous history and of course the warm welcome from the Cambodians themselves. It combines perfectly with Vietnam or Thailand but stands strong as a wonderful destination in its own right.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

This heritage property is one of the most famous in Cambodia, its style and elegance synonymous with the Raffles name. The property is imbued with history and stands as a charming expression of 1930s French Art Deco style, combined with Cambodian influences and contemporary aesthetic. The rooms are spacious and airy, perfectly capturing the colonial style with neutral colours, bespoke furniture and crisp linens. Guests can choose from the bright standard rooms, roomy suites or private villas that come complete with a 24 hour Raffles butler.

Dining at Raffles is always a delight and the Grand Hotel d’Angkor is no exception. Enjoy light bites and more casual dining at the Poolside terrace or relax in the Elephant bar with the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Airavata. Start the day with the famous champagne breakfast in Café d’Angkor or indulge in Afternoon Tea in The Conservatory. For evening dining, 1932 is a delightful tribute to the Cambodia of the past, perfectly combining it with French influences and a modern twist.

Great importance is placed on wellness at Raffles and the spa offers a wide range of treatments drawing on traditional Cambodian methods and ingredients. Guests can enjoy a game of tennis on the hotel courts, spend some time in the gym or take a dip in the 35-metre pool.

This hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the temples of Angkor Wat and provides a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle or the streets beyond.

Rosewood Phnom Penh

Known throughout the world for its luxury hotels, the Rosewood name has become known for stylish hotels that are standout properties in their destinations. The Rosewood brings this ultra-luxury experience to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Towering above the city, the hotel occupies the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower, and offers unobstructed views of the Mekong River.

Each room at the hotel provides guests with unrivalled views of Phnom Penh. The style perfectly combines modern elegance with traditional refinement. Rooms are spacious and airy with a neutral, stylish palette.

Dining at the Rosewood Phnom Penh is an exciting experience. Zhan Liang delivers a gourmet experience with a modern take on traditional Chinese cuisine. Iza offers Japanese fare with a signature noodle corner, interactive robata-yaki grill and of course a delectable sushi range. Guests can head to Cuts for the very best steaks and seafood and indulge in fine French patisserie in Butterfly Patisserie, the luxury atelier’s first foray outside of Paris and Hong Kong.

For a retreat from the busyness of the city below, guests can enjoy the pool and fitness centre or enjoy a treatment in the world-class spa. The treatment menu is inspired by traditional healing herbs and Cambodian techniques designed to restore and revitalize the body and mind.

This is a perfect hotel from which to explore the exciting city of Phnom Penh, one of Asia’s merging capitals.

Shinta Mani Angkor Wat

Designed by Bill Bensley, renowned architect and the ‘Willy Wonka of hotel design’, Shinta Mani Ankgor wat stands as one of the most luxurious and exciting hotels in the vibrant city of Siem Reap. This is a luxury, boutique hotel designed with heart and imbued with an eclectic style.

Spread over two wings, the rooms are decorated with hand-picked antiques, local art and an unmistakable Cambodian style. Those in the Bayon Wing overlook a stunning pool and the lush tropical landscape; the Angkor Wing is tucked across the street with its own sparkling lap pool. There are also a range of decadent duplexes each featuring private pools, rooftop living areas, butler service, and VIP amenities.

Shinta Mani Angkor Wat is home to one of the city’s most sought-after restaurants, Kroya. Here, Chef Chanrith puts a contemporary spin on the recipes of his youth, bringing traditional Cambodian fare to the forefront of modern cuisine. At Baitong, guests can enjoy Khmer street food, international fare and an indulgent brunch.

Shinta Mani is a sanctuary in the city, and this is felt at every turn. They can organise private guided yoga and meditation sessions. Set high amongst the trees is the Khmer Tonics Spa offering treatments based on traditional Khmer healing rituals.

This is a hotel with heart and soul and every guest’s supports the work of the Shinta Mani Foundation, established to support health, education, and development programs for underprivileged Cambodians.

Shinta Mani Wild

Shinta Mani Wild is one of those particularly special hotels that stays with you. Designed by Bill Bensley, it is his own personal Jungle Book, tucked away in the rainforests of the Cardamom National Park. Designed to fit seamlessly into the surrounding environment and with minimal impact, this property should be on everyone’s bucket list. The 15 safari-style tents are dotted along the river and surrounded by the jungle undergrowth. They embody timeless elegance combined with luxury touches such as air conditioning and supremely comfortable mattresses. Each features a deck overlooking the river with standalone bathtub.

At Shinta Mani Wild the activities are a big part of your stay. The guides, known as Bensley Butlers are there to make your stay a memorable one, guiding your adventures to ensure you get the very best from your time in the rainforest. For a more unconventional entrance, guests can arrive at the lodge by zip line where the staff will be waiting with a fresh cocktail.

The water is an essential part of the experience in the Cardamom rainforest. Visit The Cistern, the 35-metre pool set amidst the treetops, enjoy a dip in the river, jump over a waterfall, or relax with a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a stream. Beyond this, explore by river boat or kayak, head out with the anti-poaching team, enjoy bike rides, hikes and so much more to discover this stunning part of the country.

Considering its location deep in the jungle, the food at Shinta Mani is exceptional. The chefs work hard to create delicious meals incorporating flavours from Cambodia and beyond. Wherever possible they use local and foraged ingredients, growing vegetables and raising hens onsite. The forest provides an abundance of fresh ingredients from herbs to red ants – the zesty, local delicacy!

This truly is one of the most special hotels in Southeast Asia.

Six Senses Krabey Island

Part of the renowned Six Senses Group, Six Senses Krabey Island is a jewel of the Cambodian coastline. The hotel is situated on a tropical island and offers forty private villas nestled in the lush vegetation that surrounds them.

Each villas features a private pool and views over the ocean and surrounding vegetation. They are completely gorgeous, private hideaways. Decorated with a fresh and modern style, they offer every comfort you could wish for and each comes complete with its own GEM (Guest Experience Manager) to make your stay even more perfect.

Sustainability is at the heart of this property and they work hard to preserve the native flora and fauna. The majority of the staff are employed from the local community, ensuring the traditional Cambodian culture is maintained and the local community is supported. On the island they maintain small herb gardens and, on the mainland, a larger organic farm which provide the ingredients for much of the hotel’s farm-to-table meals.

A recent biodiversity study of the island identified endangered Indochinese Silvered Langurs, water monitors, and 41 species of bird. The property has also launched the Reef Protection Training Course which helps participants gain more knowledge about coral reefs, the anthropogenic impacts on reefs, coral bleaching, and how to experience the underwater world responsibly. The hotel’s Grow With Six Senses children’s programme encourages future generations on these sustainable practices.

Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Private Island is located on a pristine archipelago and offers a truly remote private island experience. In Cambodia’s untouched Koh Rong Archipelago, lie pristine islands known locally as Song Saa – Khmer for ‘The Sweethearts’. The resort spans the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a footbridge over Cambodia’s first Marine Reserve  that the property has established to safeguard the islands’ reefs and marine life. This is a tropical getaway with a modern touch. An evolved tropical getaway with a pristine private beach, spacious wooden villas, heavenly spa sanctuaries and a preserved coral reef, Song Saa Private Island lets you detach from the world and tune into simple luxuries.

Built with reclaimed timber and materials from the mainland, the resort’s design and architecture reiterates our commitment to sustainability. Each villa is a complete private sanctuary perfectly blending thatched roofs, canopy beds, up-cycled décor and repurposed furniture ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of the property. They are either nestled in the jungle, overlooking the ocean or directly over the water. The villas are bright and airy and each features its own private pool and expansive deck complete with daybed.

The cuisine at Song Saa is delicious and creative, using locally sourced ingredients, produced using organic and ethical methods. Guests can dine on elegant dishes with a supremely local twist, a perfect combination of Khmer with the contemporary.

The staff here strive to embrace the Buddhist tradition of ‘metta bhavana’ or loving kindness. In the spa they are committed to using sustainable and natural products from artisanal producers that also benefit local communities either here in Cambodia or other parts of the world. Treatments are designed to encourage the philosophy of Stillness, Healing & Blessings. This is seen throughout the resort where the emphasis is on relaxation and detachment from the stresses of life.

This is an exceptional hotel in a truly stunning location.

Simon Williams

 

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specialising in tailor made holidays to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.