Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra

The Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Hotel is one of Phnom Penh's most elegant hotels, although it can be a bit impersonal and daunting at times in its grandeur. The hotel has several entrances, and the modern, 12-story structure towers above the streets on both sides, surrounded by its sports club, tennis courts, and massive pool. The lobby is imposing, with high ceilings, marble floors, and a huge amount of space. There are plush leather armchairs with tables set throughout on red carpets, and the entire lobby has a colorful parasol theme, with handcrafted paper umbrellas lining the ceiling, as well as placed in an empty fountain in the middle of the room. Black-and-white photos of Angkor Wat on all the walls complete the picture, and it's a quiet and pleasant place to relax, especially in the evening when the piano sounds from the adjoining colonial bar drift by. The Sofitel is a regal spot, popular with business travelers, lovers of luxury, and tourists in search of five-star facilities.

The Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra is located about 10 minutes' drive south of the Royal Palace and just off the Mekong River along busy Sothearos Boulevard. From the upper floors of the hotel, one can see the Mekong River, a view that few properties in Phnom Penh have. Some of the more happening restaurant and bar streets in both the central historic area and trendy BKK1 district are too far of a walk from the hotel, but both are a five- to 10-minute tuk-tuk ride. Still, the hotel is right next door to the AEON shopping mall, Phnom Penh's newest and most modern and extensive shopping plaza, with dozens of restaurants and shops, along with a multiplex theater and more. It is about a 30-minute walk to reach the Royal Palace from here, and the airport is around nine miles away, and can be accessed in around 45 minutes by car. While the roads surrounding the hotel are busy with a lot of traffic, the Sofitel is surrounded by a long driveway and parking area, and thus doesn't get any noise or intrusions from outside.

The Sofitel Phnom Penh has large rooms, all colonial in style, with fine wood floors and stylish wooden cabinets and other furniture. Even the standard Superior Rooms come with signature Sofitel MyBeds (either king-size or two singles), and all rooms also have work desks and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, DVD players, safes, hot water kettles for tea and coffee, minibars with wine and beer, and free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Bathrooms are spacious and some have charming, bright-yellow floor tiles; all are equipped with double sinks, bathtubs and separate walk-in showers, robes and slippers, and free high-end toiletries. Up a category, the Luxury Rooms add spacious and furnished private balconies, and in the Suite category there are MP3 docking stations and separate living areas. All Club Rooms come with Club Lounge privileges, which include free afternoon tea as well as free cocktails and canapes in the evening.

Sofitel Phnom Penh shows off its five-pearl might with some of the most extensive facilities of any property in the city. The hotel has an array of ethnic restaurants, along with several bars and a bakery. Fu Lu Zu serves Chinese food and dim sum brunches, while at Hachi, there is upscale Japanese and a sushi bar. Do Forni is romantic, surrounded by water ponds, and serves Italian fare; it has a stocked wine cellar. The hotel's main restaurant, La Coupole, is located right next to the pool, and serves sumptuous buffet breakfasts, plus international cuisine with French flair, and weekend champagne brunch said to be one of the city's best. Chocolat is a quaint bakery-cafe which serves all sorts of gourmet chocolate delights, including macaroons and other cookies, plus coffee and tea. In the lobby, the elegant Le Bar has leather armchairs, a colonial vibe, and live piano entertainment in the evenings to accompany tapas, fine wines, and cocktails. There is also a bar by the swimming pool, Aqua, which during our visit was open throughout the day and until nine at night. For those with Club Rooms or privileges, the Club Lounge on the 12th floor offers sweeping city views, and has free afternoon tea along with free cocktail and canapes happy hours around sunset.

For wellness, the Sofitel has the best features in the city. Not only does the hotel have an in-house fitness center, it has free access to an adjoining fitness facility, the large and well-equipped Phokeethra Sports Club, where there is a gym, swimming pool, and tennis courts. In addition to the pleasant pool here, which also has a kiddy pool with a slide, the hotel also has its own main pool -- a huge pool of almost Olympic proportions that's one of Phnom Penh's largest. The hotel also has an excellent spa with several rooms for a variety of treatments and massages.

For business, the hotel has a ballroom, meeting rooms, and a business center, and is well set up for corporate groups and seminars of all kinds.