Top 6 hotels in Cambodia

Cambodia first appeared on the international travel scene as a backpacker destination, but is firmly establishing itself as an excellent choice for the luxury traveler. Known for its stunning temples, picturesque countryside and pristine tropical beaches, it is the perfect choice for any luxury vacation. Cambodia has a little bit of everything, a rich and diverse culture, a fascinating and often turbulent history and a warm welcome from the Cambodian people themselves. It blends perfectly with Vietnam or Thailand but stands strong as a great destination in its own right.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

This precious place is one of the most famous in Cambodia, its style and beauty match the name of Raffles. This place is steeped in history and stands as a charming expression of the French Art Deco style of the 1930s, combined with Cambodian influences and modern aesthetics. The rooms are spacious and airy, perfectly capturing the colonial style with neutral colours, bespoke furniture and crisp linens. Guests can choose from bright standard rooms, spacious suites or private villas that come complete with a 24-hour Raffles butler.

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

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

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

Rosewood Phnom Penh

Known around the world for its luxury hotels, the Rosewood name has become famous for stylish hotels that stand out in their neighborhoods. Rosewood brings this luxury experience to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Perched high above the city, the hotel occupies the top 14 floors of the Vattanac Capital Tower, and offers unobstructed views of the Mekong River.

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

Dining at Rosewood Phnom Penh is a delight. Zhan Liang delivers a delicious experience with a modern take on traditional Chinese cuisine. Iza offers Japanese fare with a signature noodle corner, robata-yaki grill and a delicious sushi range. Guests can head to Cuts for the finest meats and seafood and indulge in French patisserie at Butterfly Patisserie, the first luxury atelier outside of Paris and Hong Kong.

For a retreat from the gloom of the city below, guests can enjoy the pool and fitness center or enjoy a treatment at the world-class spa. The treatment menu is inspired by traditional Cambodian medicinal herbs and techniques designed to restore and rejuvenate the body and mind.

This is the perfect hotel from which to explore the exciting city of Phnom Penh, one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities.

Change Mani Angkor Wat

Designed by Bill Bensley, the famous architect and ‘Willy Wonka of hotel design’, Shinta Mani Ankgor wat is one of the most luxurious and exciting hotels in the bustling city of Siem Reap. This is a luxurious hotel, thoughtfully designed and full of eclectic style.

Spread over two wings, the rooms are decorated with hand-picked antiques, local art and the mysterious Cambodian style. Those in the Bayon Wing overlook an amazing pool and hot tub; the Angkor Wing is located across the road with its sparkling pool. There is also a range of reserved duplexes each with private pools, rooftop lounges, butler service, and VIP amenities.

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

Shinta Mani is a holy place in the city, and this is heard all the time. They can arrange private guided yoga and meditation sessions. Nestled high among the trees is the Khmer Tonics Spa which offers treatments based on Khmer healing traditions.

This is a hotel with heart and soul and all guests support the work of the Shinta Mani Foundation, which was established to support health, education, and development programs for poor Cambodians.

Shinta Mani Wild

Shinta Mani Wild is one of those special hotels that stay with you. Designed by Bill Bensley, it is his own Jungle Book, set in the rainforests of Cardamom National Park. Designed to fit easily into the environment and have minimal impact, this building should be on everyone’s bucket list. 15 safari-style tents are dotted along the river and surrounded by jungle undergrowth. They combine timeless elegance combined with luxurious touches such as air conditioning and ultra-comfortable mattresses. Each has a deck overlooking the river with a private bath.

At Shinta Mani Wild activities are a big part of your stay. Guides, known as Bensley Butlers are there to make your stay a memorable one, guiding your journey to ensure you get the most out of your time in the bush. For an unusual entrance, guests can arrive at the lodge via a zip line where staff will be waiting with a fresh cocktail.

Water is an essential part of the Cardamom rainforest experience. Visit The Cistern, a 35-meter pool nestled among the treetops, enjoy a dip in the river, jump over a waterfall, or relax with a river foot massage while taking a dip in the stream. Beyond this, explore by riverboat or kayak, go out with an anti-poaching team, enjoy cycling, hiking and much more to discover this amazing part of the country.

Given its location deep in the forest, the food at Shinta Mani is unique. The chefs work hard to create delicious food that combines the flavors of Cambodia and beyond. Where possible they use local and edible ingredients, growing vegetables and raising chickens locally. The forest provides an abundance of fresh ingredients from herbs to red ants – delicious, local delights!

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

The Six Senses of Krabey Island

Part of the famous Six Senses group, Six Senses Krabey Island is a coastal gem of Cambodia. The hotel is located on a tropical island and offers forty private villas surrounded by greenery.

Each villa has a private pool and views over the sea and surrounding vegetation. They are absolutely beautiful, private hideaways. Decorated in a fresh and modern style, they offer all the comforts 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 place and they work hard to preserve native flora and fauna. Most of the staff are recruited from the local community, ensuring that traditional Cambodian culture is preserved and the local community is supported. On the island they tend small vegetable gardens and, on the mainland, a larger organic farm that provides ingredients for many of the hotel’s farm-to-table meals.

A recent biodiversity survey of the island identified endangered Indochinese Silvered Langurs, water monitors, and 41 bird species. The site also presents a Reef Protection Training Course that helps participants learn more about coral reefs, anthropogenic impacts on coral reefs, coral bleaching, and how to experience the underwater world responsibly. The hotel’s Grow With Six Senses children’s program encourages future generations through these sustainable practices.

Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Private Island is located in a pristine archipelago and offers a truly remote island experience. In the unspoilt Koh Rong Islands of Cambodia, there are pristine islands known locally as Song Saa – Khmer for ‘The Sweethearts’. The resort includes the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, which are connected by a footbridge over Cambodia’s first Marine Reserve which was created to protect the island’s reefs and marine life. This is a tropical resort with a modern touch. A luxury resort with a private private beach, open-plan wooden houses, spa sanctuaries and a coral reef, Song Saa Private Island lets you get away from the world and sing the simple things.

Built with reclaimed timber and materials from the mainland, the resort’s design and architecture underscores our commitment to sustainability. Each villa is a complete private space that perfectly combines thatched roofs, canopy beds, upcycled decor and furniture that has also been associated with ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of the property. They live in the forest, facing the sea or directly on the water. The villas are bright and airy and each has its own private pool and main floor complete with daybed.

The food at Song Saa is delicious and creative, using locally sourced ingredients, produced using organic and ethical methods. Visitors can enjoy delicious dishes with the best local twist, a perfect blend of Khmer and modern.

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

This is a unique hotel in a truly stunning location.

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specializing in tailoring vacations to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog to raise your profile, please contact us.