Hotel Reviews
An Oasis During the Dusty Cambodian Summer!
Everything was lovely, from the welcome with a cool drink and towel, to the spa, and to the pool, You would think that the staff there would be indifferent at the massive movement of tourists day in and day out, but that was not the case. I should mention though, that I was there in June 2015, which is considered low season because of the very hot Cambodian summer and the resort was not running in full capacity.
Brilliant hotel.
Great location and property!
We just visited Siem Reap this weekend for the Angkor Wat Half Marathon and chose this hotel after reading all the Trip Advisor ratings. The hotel is perfectly located close to the shops and close to the Angkor Complex (10 min tuk tuk away). Clean accommodations and good breakfast buffet. Recommend!
A Traveler’s Haven
Angkor Wat is a wonder of the world. It is a thousand year old man made marvel constructed to honor the Hindu and later the Buddhist religions. After an exhausting day of touring Angkor Wat and the other nearby the temples you’ll want to come back and rest and rejuvenate in a lap of luxury. The hotel that has been created to pay homage to the majesty of this area and the Khmer dynasty as well as to pamper its weary guests is the Sokha Angkor Resort and Spa.
Just on the outskirts of the main area of town, is the Sokha Angkor Resort. You’ll arrive through the grand entrance into a magnificent lobby and the doorman adorned in Khmer period clothing greets you hello as you enter. Bellman scurry to
assist with baggage with an escort to reception and a cool drink and much needed cold towel. The cathedral ceiling of the lobby is supported by two huge columns etched with beautiful stone artwork reflective of what you would find in the temples. Throughout the property you’ll find wonderful stone etchings, Khmer artwork, photographs and paintings from centuries past. The Khmer people are wonderful craftsmen and you’ll also see the many beautiful wood carvings as functional décor. Worldly guests congregate in the lobby and you’ll hear German and Russian being spoken as well as English with British, American, or Australian accents. There were also many Japanese, Korean, and Chinese travelers who choose to make the Sokha Angkor Resort as their base for exploring the area.
Beyond the lobby you’ll see the centerpiece of the hotel, the pool. The pool is a functioning art piece created to pay homage to Angkor Wat. The two story high structures is a temple replica with a waterfall emanating from the top and then cascading down steps into the pool below. Holidaymakers sunbathe around the pool under umbrellas on chaise lounges. Some are 20 and 30 something couples and others are families with children.
The grand pool is the centerpiece of the hotel. Many of the rooms face the pool and have pleasant terraces. There is a bistro table for two perfect for morning coffee to a glass of wine and conversation at night.
The Sokha Angkor Resort is one of the larger hotels in the area with 275 splendid rooms coming in various sizes. The super king size bed is perfect for stretching out after a long day exploring the area. The locally made teak wood furnishings are a beautiful touch as is teak parquet flooring. The bathrooms are also large with separate tub and shower.
The dining experience is exceptional as well and the Sokha Angkor Resort has several dining options to choose from. Le Chanthou restaurant features fine Khmer dishes wonderfully seasoned and presented. The restaurant is as ornate as each dish and designed with traditional Cambodian art blended with a French Colonial style. The menu is extensive and a wonderful option is the Khmer shrimp and scallop dish. The flavor of tangy sweet and sour sauce is fabulous and it come accompanied with a fragrant rice.
Their other signature restaurant is Takezono a beautifully decorated Japanese restaurant. It is a large venue and was bustling with those ready to dig in after a long day templing. The menu is extensive with the dishes you’d expect as well as many not-to-miss signature dishes. The staff there is very friendly and ready to accommodate, assuring you a wonderful evening before turning in to bed or a night out on the town.
Adjacent to their lobby they have a bar with plenty of places to plop down and bend the elbow with friends, in couches, or sit on the outside terrace and sip libations alfresco. It’s also a great scene to take in high tea with a pot of tea and an assortment of scones, sandwiches, and delicious sweets.
Siem Reap is known for more than their amazing temples. It’s also has many interesting markets selling everything from t shirts to some decent art works and replicas. For those looking to get their party on, Pub Street is a short tuk tuk ride away. You can’t find a more descriptive term than Pub Street and this area has 100s of bars, restaurants, and clubs. The throbbing music is deafening as the young and young at heart shake their groove things until wee hours of the morning. What is also interesting is you’ll find vendor carts selling cocktails for $1.50 and draft beer for 50 cents. If you’ve got the munchies there are vendors selling exotic dishes of fried snakes, spiders, and other fried insects.
After all of that exploring, you’ll want to head back to your bastion of comfort. The hotel has a full service spa facility with his and her sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. They have an extensive spa menu providing an array of services such as facials, body wraps, and all types of massages. The deep tissue massage has been designed to penetrate deep into sore muscles relieving the aches and pains of travel. The soreness is replaced with copious amounts of rejuvenation and relaxation.
Siem Reap in Cambodia is an exciting destination with its world renowned temples, the Tonle Sap Lake and Pub Street. To explore it all, the Sokha Angkor Resort a fantastic option. The excellent dining experience, accommodations, and pampering spa make it the a great place to come home to after all a hard day of exploring all that this amazing location has to see and do.
amazing hotel! would stay again
The hotel is amazing. The location is central to downtown and we could walk everywhere. The pool is relaxing, the breakfast was delicious and a lot to choose from. The rooms were large and comfortable, and the spa was nice for massages.