Angkor Palace Resort & Spa

Set on nearly 30 acres of land, this luxury resort is rife with green lawns, lush vegetation, palm trees, and lovely water features throughout its extensive grounds. In many ways, the expansive setting sets the tone for a visit here and the long driveway lined by palm trees is a fine welcome. Indoors, guests are greeted in a bright and airy lobby with a towering peaked wooden ceiling and huge windows letting in plenty of light and offering views of the greenery outside. Handsome replicas of artifacts from the Angkor sites add tasteful local flair, and the sheer size of the space makes a luxe impression, with handsome latticed details and carved wood ornamenting all manner of archways and windows. Cushioned teak chairs provide seating throughout, while a traditional Khmer roneat ek is played throughout the day. All guests receive welcome drinks along with Khmer krama scarves to wear. The resort sees visitors of all stripes, though almost all are vacationers in town to visit the stunning Angkor Wat complex nearby.

The Angkor Palace Resort is located in the countryside just off of National Road 6, about midway between Siem Reap's airport and the city center. While the resort is tranquil and secluded, it isn’t an ideal location for those who want to be able to walk to Pub Street and all the restaurants and bars around the river in the town's center. It's a 10-minute drive or tuk-tuk ride into town, although the resort does run a free hourly shuttle during the evenings. There aren’t many restaurants or tourist shops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, and not much within walking distance besides other hotels and resorts. It’s a 15-minute drive to the temples at Angkor from here. The airport is about 10 minutes away by road.

Rooms range from standard-level Deluxe Rooms to One- or Two-Bedroom Suites, as well as opulent villas with private plunge pools. Even the entry level Deluxe Rooms are pretty spiffy, with polished wood floors, teak writing desks and furniture, and poster beds. Decor includes Khmer silks, colorful cushions, and Angkor-inspired art, plus all rooms have small balconies overlooking the gardens. Modern amenities include large flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, electric hot water kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos, sinks with long counters, and offer plenty of space. As there are limited numbers of Deluxe Rooms, guests are often upgraded to the Deluxe Premium Rooms, which are basically the same, though bathrooms are a bit fancier.

The best digs in the house are the suites and villas. These take decor up a notch, with extra fabrics and textiles providing pops of color plus details that may include wooden ceilings or antique furniture. Suites have separate living rooms with teak sofas and tables, carpets, and giant flat-screen TVs in both rooms. Palatial bathrooms have separate walk-in showers as well as tubs, and double sink vanities. Villas are even more opulent, with mosaic tile floors, iPod docking stations, and speaker systems, plus some have private plunge pools and patios.

The Angkor Palace Resort offers an abundance of facilities sprawled across its extensive grounds. At the center of the resort sits the free-form swimming pool, one side of which is devoted entirely to kids and has a waterslide and play area. Sun loungers surround the pool and there's also a hot tub as well as a swim-up bar with seats in the water. The hotel also has a fitness center with modern machines and wrap-around windows overlooking the greenery outside, while the lovely spa has 19 treatment rooms and offers Vichy shower treatments and massages. Guests seeking some outdoor activity can utilize the tennis courts or driving range. The hotel also has a ballroom and excellent conference facilities, and is a popular spot for meetings and functions. There is a business center as well as a Club Lounge, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. The hotel operates a free shuttle service to and from town in the evening, plus free airport transfers can be arranged with prior notice.

There are several dining and drinking options at the resort, the most atmospheric of which is the Phumkreas Khmer House restaurant. This is a traditional wooden Khmer home, with floor tables and colored cushions to sit on as well as authentic Khmer cuisine that's served as set meals or a la carte. Soriya is the hotel's more contemporary restaurant that serves both local and western dishes, while the largest and main dining area of the hotel, the Sunset Cafe, serves free buffet breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner. Breakfast includes an abundance of international options. Sunset Cafe has both an indoor and outdoor area, with a large carp pond stocked with hundreds of fish. In addition to the pool bar, there is also a Lobby Lounge where one can listen to traditional Khmer music over cocktails.