Rambutan Resort - Siem Reap

A thick wooden sliding gate hides the Rambutan Resort from the street, but nevertheless, the classical white building is immediately elegant from the outside, with its red-tile roofs and villa-style architecture. Inside the gate, the lobby is a simple open-air affair, complete with tiled floors and wooden tables and chairs sourced from environmentally sustainable wood. Small pebble gardens with potted plants are inlaid in the floor, and a section of the lobby is devoted to recommendations for local restaurants, bars, tours, and spas. There is plenty of attention to detail here, from teak rocking chairs to lotus flower arrangements to artsy sculptures hanging from the ceiling that mimic palm trees. The resort is serene and gay-friendly, although a mix of couples, straight and otherwise, are the norm. There is a no child policy, though, meaning it is a haven of peace and quiet, and families have to make due with the resort's sister property down the street.

The Rambutan Resort has an excellent location on the quieter eastern side of the Siem Reap River, away from the crowds in the center of town. However, it takes less than 10 minutes to walk to the restaurant and bar frenzy of Pub Street and the the happening Old Market area. This away-from-it-all, near-it-all combination is ideal for a Siem Reap stay. The resort sits in a quiet narrow alleyway surrounded by other low-rise buildings, and the streets that branch off from the east side of the river are packed with trendy cafes and restaurants, all within a five- to 10-minute walk. Further afield, Angkor Wat is reachable in 15 minutes by car, as is the airport. 

There are 16 rooms at the intimate Rambutan Resort, either Deluxe Suite or Deluxe Villa choices. All of the rooms here are spacious and come with desks and cabinets made from sustainably harvested palm wood. Decor also includes charming rattan chairs and stools, and local silks that add a pop of color. Both overhead ceiling fans and air-conditioning keep the rooms cool. Modern art with pop inclinations hangs on the walls, and platform beds stand on sharp, rustic tiled floors. Villas offer more space, with an extra bed in the room as well as a second floor terrace living area. Modern amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, electronic safes, electric hot water kettles, and minibars with wine and Champagne. All rooms also have private terraces with large terrazzo stone bathtubs for a chilling out or a post-temple-touring soak, as well as sitting areas. Bathrooms include designer terrazzo sinks in eye-catching colors plus rainfall showers and toiletries. 

Rambutan Resort has just a few facilities, but they are all excellent. The 16 rooms here surround a tropical garden courtyard which is pleasant for sitting. The centerpiece is the hotel's saltwater swimming pool, which has sun loungers and umbrellas set on two sides of it, plus a waterfall cascading at the other end. Next to this is the resort's restaurant and bar, the Rambutan, which has checkered tile flooring, wooden tables, and slow ceiling fans. The restaurant is known for it's excellent Khmer and Western cuisine made by chefs who have attended the top hospitality training schools in Siem Reap. They serve free breakfasts here and then a la carte items for lunch and dinner, as well as providing an extensive cocktail menu and wine list. Drinks can be served poolside. There are no other public facilities here, although guests do have the option of using the pool over at the resort's sister property, the Rambutan Villa, which is just down the alley. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and airport pickups are included with some bookings.