Siem Reap, Cambodia – Boutique Retreats, Temples and Gondolas (Part 1)
It’s always sat highly on my bucket list, so I was thrilled when given the opportunity in June 2017 to join our destination specialist on a road trip from Siem Reap to the southern coast, with 12 agents from around the world. June is considered low season which can be subject to intermittent downpours, but with plenty of sunshine thrown in and fewer temple visitors than those found during peak season, so makes the perfect time to grab a getaway bargain.
I fell totally under the spell of this ancient, forgotten land of many untouched wonders, so only fair I share its magic and some of my favourite highlights over my next four blogs:
• Siem Reap, Cambodia – Mighty Angkor Wat, Hikes, Phare Circus & Vespa Street Tours (Part 2) • Cambodia Village Homestay, Countryside Bike Rides & On the Road to Phnom Penh (Part 3) • Cambodian Southern Coastline and Untouched Islands (Part 4) • Cambodia’s Captivating Countryside, Sleepy Riverside and Coastal Towns (Part 5)
Shinta Mani Club
I stayed for my first few nights at the beautiful boutique hotel of Shinta Mani, in the heart of the city’s leafy French Quarter. It is sat within a calm oasis with the lovely aroma of burning jasmine oil wafting throughout the hotel's rooms and walkways. My second-floor Deluxe Room was stylishly designed with Khmer art, polished floors, a super-sized comfy bed, plasma TV with surround sound, a vast walk in wet room with rain shower, and a large balcony.
The shaded pool area is set within a gorgeous courtyard making it a great place to relax, but sun worshippers do not despair - guests can make use of their larger, sun kissed pool and gardens at their sister hotel Shanti Mani Resort sat opposite.
Their breakfast offering is plentiful with an a la carte menu and selection of fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, yogurts and cereals. Khmer and international dishes at their in-house restaurant Korya are imaginatively delicious, and same with their cocktails.
The hotel has its own spa offering various treatments including facials, body treatments, and manicures with prices starting from 45 dollars. I sampled their in-house massage which was excellent. Service throughout the hotel is faultless, from well trained, friendly staff all wearing the biggest of smiles.
Shinta Mani means ‘good heart’ or ‘to do good things’, which the hotel is doing in abundance. A percentage of each guest’s room rate is donated to the Shinta Mani Foundation, and goes way beyond just donating to the local football team - it truly seeks to improve the lives of the Siem Reap community. For example, the hotel brought in dentists and assistants from around the world to provide dental care, at no additional cost, to 750 locals. I applaud you Shinta Mani – so many could learn from your drive and concept, as not only do you offer a heavenly retreat in the heart of the city, but huge commitment to provide a better future for those who would certainly lead a bleaker existence without you.
Introductions and Phum Baitang
I awoke on day 3 with nervous excitement, as today the touring would begin and introductions would be made with my unfamiliar travel buddies. Firstly, I met our host and great destination specialist Chris from EXO and our fantastic guide Pierre, who would be with the group throughout our road trip. We made our way to our next hotel base for three nights whilst we toured and sampled some of the highlights of Siem Reap, and boy oh boy was I excited, as I’d been drooling over this unique retreat for years.
Phum Baitang, meaning ‘green village’, is in a league of its own. The resort lies in the countryside some 10-15 minutes outside the city centre and only a short hop from the airport. This eco-chic hotel is sat within a sprawling landscape of eight hectares of rice paddy fields, wooden walkways and even houses, with its own family of water buffalo. The resort owners at Zannier Hotels wanted to create a retreat which gives the feeling of a traditional Khmer village, and I feel they have done just that.
This stunning Zenlike resort offers two bars, two restaurants, a spectacular 50-metre swimming pool, a large spa and well-equipped fitness centre. There’s a kids’ club offering complimentary babysitting between 10am and 9pm. The service is fantastic and offered again with the heart-warming Cambodian smile.
There are two room categories - Terrace Villas spanning 50 square metres or Pool Villas with 80 square metres of space. Each villa contains the same beautiful rustic interiors of wooden furnishings, natural stone bathrooms with fantastic sized baths, huge walk-in showers of polished plaster and those all-important complimentary touches of luxury bath products, slippers, robes, night time pillow treats which one would expect from a hotel of this standard.
As night falls, the resort's wooden walkways are subtly lit, prompting mother nature’s orchestra to come alive with sounds of croaking frogs, singing cicadas and harking geckos. It’s truly a magical haven and makes the perfect retreat after a hard, hot day of touring the temples.
Bayon Temple
At the hotel’s open-air reception, swift introductions were made before we hit the steets in a convoy of seven ‘remorks’ (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’) which zoomed towards the enchanting ancient city of Angkor Thom. This city is surrounded by an 8-metre high wall, drawing a perfect square. We entered through the ancient south gate, and were immediately hit by its impressive stone carved with elephants and four giant faces, as we walked to the exact centre of the city, and the famous Bayon Temple. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur, well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.
Ta Prohm
We continued to Ta Prohm, built between the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found; overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
Angkor Thom Moat & Gondola
Next up, and what better way to finish off touring of these magnificent temples, than with a rewarding gondola cruise, on the peaceful moat surrounding the compound of Angkor Thom, whilst feasting on Khmer canapes and sipping on chilled champagne. A magical and very chilled way to end one’s day as you watch the sun go down.
