Belmond La Residence d'Angkor

Hotel review

The Belmond is a great choice if you’re staying in Siem Reap and temple touring. The hotel doesn’t feel like it has 69 rooms: the canopied gardens and leafy pool area disguise the building’s size. It feels intimate, and tranquil. The location is superb - just a 5 minute tuk tuk to the centre of Siem Reap. It’s also not far from the temples themselves. A perfect hideout for couples and families alike looking to relax and flop into a deckchair after a sunrise trip to Angkor Wat. The welcome starts in the lobby - cross the moat and enter a gorgeously high ceilinged reception area. The wood features are striking and the welcome is warm. The staff here are fab. Another highlight is the fantastic pool in the main courtyard - at over 30m long, you can really get those lengths in! The decking area next to it is also great. Sit back, relax, and the attentive staff will be with you in a flash to offer an array of drinks and snacks. A perfect way to unwind in style. Or you could head to the spa for a Khmer treatment, designed to offer a unique sensory experience. Sink into the sauna, or hop in the indoor pool to cool off. A nice added touch is the daily option of an extra activity - like an early morning market visit on a Monday, learn how to fold a lotus flower on a Wednesday, or enjoy a Friday night drinks evening with the hotel staff. Food-wise - Belmond offers a good range. Ember is the more low-key poolside restaurant that offers a range of (quite expensive) European and local fare. Perfect for a long lazy lunch after a long morning out and about. Circle, the restaurant, is a treat - which promises creative Khmer cuisine. The 5 course tasting menu ($28), or 7 courses ($38) is a culinary journey at great value. The flavours are distinctly Khmer - but more elevated, refined, and different looking entirely. A personal favourite was the streetfood-esque chicken stick served on embers that smoked as the plate was placed before you. The setting itself is also interesting - pagoda like feel, with walls covered in modern Cambodian artworks. A sumptuous breakfast is also served here in the mornings; you have a Cambodian soup prepared before your eyes, before turning to a homemade omelette at another station. This is a breakfast buffet done well. The standout for this reviewer was, however, the happy hour offerings. As the sun sets, climb the stairs to the Martini Bar and quaff an interesting array of flavour combinations. While away a couple of hours sipping cheap delicious cocktails over several rounds of cards before tottering down for dinner. The only shame here was the lack of view - but this adds to the intimate and cosy feel of being hidden away from the bustling outside world that is Siem Reap. The rooms are space used well. A wooden sliding panel separates bathroom from bedroom. The walls are white, and the overriding features are deep woody hues, mixed with the splashes of Khmer colours (fresh flowers or art on the wall). A buddha statue greets you from its hole in the wall on entry. We particularly liked the Khmer art dotted about the room (and the rest of the hotel). The old school large writing desk was a great feature too - tempting to sit and write of one's adventures. The bed was super comfy - welcome after long hours of temple wandering.The bath is deep, and large, and the rainfall shower is heavenly. Most rooms have balconies overlooking the pool - whilst others have ground floor private terraces. All in all, well worth a visit.

Poppy Empson Review published: 31/10/2018