National Road 6, Kruos Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia | (586) 210-9239
Large swimming pool and kiddy pool
Attractive exterior and hotel grounds
Well-equipped fitness center and spa on premises
Multiple dining and drinking options, including an elegant fine-dining restaurant
Close to airport
Contemporary rooms with hardwood floors, sofas, and double vanity sinks
Most rooms have balconies
Free Wi-Fi and breakfast
Far from the main tourist area, need to rely on tuk tuks to get around
Korean and Chinese restaurants are the only dining options nearby
National road out front is busy with lots of traffic all day
Some public spaces can feel cold and impersonal
Landmark and Deluxe Rooms have showers only
No balconies in Elegant Suites
Opened in 2007, the upscale Lotus Blanc is newer than many area hotels, and the rooms and public spaces are attractive and modern. Lotus ponds and staff in traditional garb add to the ambience of this mid-sized hotel, but the expansive lobby can feel cold and impersonal. Contemporary rooms are in good shape and include gleaming hardwood floors, sofas, and writing desks. Most include balconies. The main issue is the hotel's location: It's not within walking distance of the popular tourist hangouts downtown, so guests need to rely on tuk-tuk taxis to get around. (Although the hotel is on the national road, close to the airport.) Thankfully, there are plenty of diversions on-site, including Lotus Blanc's large swimming pool, a fitness center and spa, an elegant fine-dining restaurant overlooking the pool, plus a breakfast buffet restaurant and several bars. It's fairly priced, compared to other properties in this pearl rating. However many of those other resorts have locations closer to all the big attractions of the main tourist area.
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Scene
Impressive exterior, lotus ponds, temple-style archways, and staff in traditional garb
From the outside, the Lotus Blanc Resort makes a strong impression. A path of Angkor temple-style archways lead up to the hotel's crisp white building fronted with lotus ponds. Inside, the expansive lobby area is centered around a cushioned seating area sectioned off by a brass filigree curtain. The area surrounding the check-in desk is brighter, bathed in natural light from tall open windows looking out on the lotus ponds. Clusters of dark wood tables and chairs topped with cobalt blue cushions give a spot to linger. Another atmospheric touch -- the staff are all adorned in traditional royal outfits. Yet despite this statement-making decor, public spaces lack luxurious details, such as artwork, photos, or something to give the lobby some life, and the result feels a little cold and corporate.
Location
On the national road, not within walking distance of the city center and tourist area
The Lotus Blanc Resort sits out on the national road heading into town from the airport. While it offers excellent airport access, it isn't that convenient otherwise. It's too far to walk into town to Pub Street, the Night Market, and other popular tourist areas. Guests need to take a five- to 10-minute tuk tuk drive to go anywhere. It's about a 15-minute drive from here to the temples at Angkor Wat. Due to the Lotus Blanc's location near lots of large Asian-oriented hotels, most of the spots around here are packed with Chinese and Korean tour groups. The benefit is that there are Korean and Chinese restaurants galore around the hotel. But that's all that's nearby. The national road outside is full of traffic all day and isn't pleasant, but the hotel is set back from the road in its own oasis, so noise isn't a problem.
Rooms
Modern rooms in good shape, wood floors, sofas, premium linens, rain showers, and double vanity sinks
Thanks to Lotus Blanc's status as a newer hotel for the area (opened in 2007), rooms are in excellent condition. Polished hardwood floors and white walls look fresh and pair nicely with contemporary, dark wood furniture. Little spots of color come in with turquoise bed runners and decorative cushions plus orange-and-brown upholstered couches. All rooms have writing desks, rain showers, double vanity sinks, and amenities like flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and electric kettles. Most rooms also feature small balconies with wrought-iron tables and chairs. Landmark Rooms have lovely pool views. Oddly, the Elegant Suites have no balcony. But they do have almost 800 square feet of living space, a separate living room, and a large bathtub. (Landmark and Deluxe Rooms are showers only.)
Features
Multiple dining options, a large swimming pool, a spa, and a well-stocked fitness center
Considering its location away from Pub Street, it's a relief to know the Lotus Blanc has plenty of dining and drinking options. The downstairs restaurant, Le Blanc, serves free breakfasts along with Khmer and international dishes for lunch and dinner. The restaurant has an open kitchen and a large, airy dining room topped with white drum-shade chandeliers. There's also an outdoor dining area by the pool bordered by palm trees. Next door, the Lemon Bar provides an intimate spot for cocktails and cakes, with polished wood floors, cushioned sofas, and tables looking out at the lotus ponds. The upstairs restaurant, Damnak Fine Dining, proudly features a chef who won the Mekong Culinary Challenge. They do Western and Khmer upscale cuisine and guests can choose from the elegant air-conditioned dining room or the open-air terrace with red leather sofas and low coffee tables overlooking the pool. Lined with tan-colored loungers, the large rectangular pool, complete with poolside bar, is punctuated with a teardrop-shaped kiddy pool at one end. There's also a fitness center with cardio machines, free weights, even a punching bag. And a small spa provides a spot to try herbal body treatments. The Lotus Blanc has a meeting room for functions, and there's an on-site boutique for guests that want to nab souvenirs without taking a tuk-tuk ride.
