Royal Angkor Resort & Spa

The Royal Angkor Resort & Spa caters to large tour groups and looks fairly similar to the other large hotels that sprawl along the National Road outside of town. This property is certainly aiming for classical elegance, and in some cases it pulls that off. The palatial lobby has marble floors, rattan couches, and ornate ceiling lamps. Wood details can be seen everywhere and the abundance of white makes everything bright and breezy. Khmer sculptures are set here and there, reminding guests of where they are, but certain details -- like the life-like elephant statues -- veer more toward kitsch that chic. Elsewhere, cases of antiques bring an additional dose of traditional sophistication to the property. As the hotel primarily serves tour groups, it can be busy. Still, this is a privately owned family business, not part of a chain or noted brand, and the hospitality offered is in line with a small boutique property.

The Royal Angkor Resort & Spa is located well outside of the Siem Reap town center, along the National Road that leads to the international airport. While it isn’t convenient for attractions like Pub Street, nor within walking distance of restaurants and bars, it's just a five-minute drive to Siem Reap's airport. The hotel rooms and outlets are set well back from the main road, so there isn’t any noise, but it does require transport to get into town. The hotel runs a free shuttle into Siem Reap's center, about 10 minutes away, every few hours. There isn’t much in the neighborhood in the way of shops or other eateries, as it's mostly just big hotels out here. The temples of Angkor are a 20-minute drive from the resort.

There are 202 rooms to choose from at the Royal Angkor Resort & Spa. Superior and Deluxe Rooms make up the bulk of the hotel's inventory. Despite the range of categories, the style here is decidedly simple and a bit bland for a hotel with luxury aspirations. Expect to see fine wood floors; mid-tone wood furniture with bland, traditional silhouettes; and photos or etchings on the white walls -- given the spacious floor plans the decor is extremely limited and a bit spartan. Some rooms do have charming pagoda ceilings with exposed wood beams, while others have handsome four-poster hardwood beds. There are also a few Japanese-style Sakura Rooms, which have no tables or chairs -- one sits on floor cushions as done in Japan. Those looking to shell out a bit more money for additional privacy and space can rent the large Khmer House Villas, as well as a few Villas, which feature separate bedrooms and plenty of space. All rooms have modern amenities like flat-screen televisions, safes, minibars, air-conditioning, electric hot water kettles, telephones, and free Wi-Fi. Deluxe Rooms also feature large balconies, many of which look out over the large swimming pool. Bath lovers should opt for the Deluxe or Sakura Rooms, as they have large clawfoot bathtubs with jets, along with separate showers. The Superior Rooms only have bathtub/shower combos. Complete baskets of toiletries, including toothbrushes, sit on vanities, which have plenty of space to spread out one's bathroom gear in many rooms, though not all. Superior Room bathrooms also look quite dated, with red granite details. 

Like most of the major resorts and hotels that line the road leading from Siem Reap to the airport, there's plenty on offer here, much of it expected for a four-pearl property. One of the nicest facilities is the swimming pool, which is one of the larger pools that we saw while touring Siem Reap. Lounge chairs ring the wide terrace, and there's a kids' section and hot tub at one end. Several elephant statues at the other end spout water over the pool in cascading spray. There's also a full spa for massage and wellness treatments, as an alternative way to unwind. It's set among water features and is partially open-air, though it looks lifted straight from the '90s. A spacious fitness center has a very limited selection of cardio machines and a paltry amount of free weights and resistance machines. It too looks stuck in a time warp.The Garden Court serves the hotel's free buffet breakfasts, which include a nice selection of Western and Asian foods. A larger restaurant is used for the buffet during the high season when the hotel gets packed with tour groups. Next to the Garden Court is the Temple Lounge, which serves as both the hotel bar and as its fine-dining option. It specializes in traditional Khmer cuisine, and there are Western items on the menu to choose from as well. The hotel also puts on Apsara dance show dinners in an outdoor theater area behind the swimming pool, but this must be requested when booking a room.Other facilities at the hotel include a business center and ballroom, as the hotel is well set up for conferences and large functions. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's access to a nearby golf course, to which the hotel arranges outings. There's also a free shuttle bus which goes to town and back every two hours throughout the day.