6 top luxury hotels in Cambodia

Cambodia first appeared on the international travel scene as a backpacker destination, but has firmly established itself as a great choice for luxury travel. Known for its stunning temples, charming countryside and pristine tropical beaches, it is an excellent choice for any luxury vacation. Cambodia has a bit of everything, rich and varied culture, fascinating and often turbulent history and of course a warm welcome from Cambodia itself. It combines perfectly with Vietnam or Thailand but remains a wonderful destination.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

This heritage property is one of Cambodia’s most famous, style and elegance synonymous with the Raffles name. The property is steeped in history and is a magnificent expression of 1930s French Art Deco style, combined with Cambodian influences and contemporary aesthetics. The rooms are spacious and airy, perfectly capturing the colonial style with neutral colors, custom furniture and crisp linens. Guests can choose from bright standard rooms, spacious suites or private villas that come complete with a 24-hour Raffles butler.

Dining at Raffles is always a pleasure and the Grand Hotel d’Angkor is no exception. Enjoy light bites and more casual dining at the Poolside Terrace or relax at the elephant bar with the hotel’s signature cocktail, Airavata. Start your day with the famous champagne breakfast at Café d’Angkor or indulge in Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory. For evening dining, 1932 is a delightful tribute to the Cambodia of the past, perfectly combining French influences with a modern twist.

Health is very important at Raffles and the spa offers a variety of treatments using traditional Cambodian methods and ingredients. Guests can enjoy a game of tennis on the hotel’s court, spend some time in the gym or take a dip in the 35-meter pool.

The hotel is the perfect base for exploring the temples of Angkor Wat and provides a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle or streets outside.

Rosewood Phnom Penh

Known around the world for its luxury hotels, the Rosewood name has become known for its magnificent hotels that are iconic properties in their destination. The Rosewood brings this ultra-luxury experience to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. High above the city, this hotel occupies the top 14 floors of the Vattanac Capital Tower, and offers unobstructed views of the Mekong River.

Every room in the hotel provides guests with an unparalleled view of Phnom Penh. The style perfectly combines modern elegance with traditional refinement. Spacious and spacious rooms with a neutral and stylish palette.

Dining at Rosewood Phnom Penh is a delightful experience. Zhan Liang provides a gourmet experience with a modern take on traditional Chinese cuisine. Iza offers Japanese food with a corner of typical noodles, an interactive robata-yaki grill and of course a variety of delicious sushi. Guests can go to Cuts for the best steaks and seafood and indulge in fine French patisserie at Butterfly Patisserie, the luxury atelier’s first foray outside of Paris and Hong Kong.

To retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city below, guests can enjoy the pool and fitness center or enjoy a treatment at the world-class spa. The treatment menu is inspired by traditional healing herbs and Cambodian techniques designed to restore and rejuvenate the body and mind.

This is the perfect hotel to explore the exciting city of Phnom Penh, one of the joint capitals of Asia.

Shinta Mani Angkor Wat

Designed by Bill Bensley, the famous architect and ‘Willy Wonka of hotel design’, Shinta Mani Ankgor wat stands as one of the most luxurious and exciting hotels in the vibrant city of Siem Reap. It is a luxury boutique hotel designed with heart and filled with eclectic style.

Spread over two wings, the rooms are decorated with hand-picked antiques, local art and unmistakable Cambodian style. The one at Bayon Wing overlooks a stunning pool and lush tropical landscape; Angkor Wing is tucked across the road with its own sparkling lap pool. There are also a variety of decadent duplexes each featuring private pools, rooftop lounges, butler service, and VIP amenities.

Shinta Mani Angkor Wat is home to one of the city’s favorite restaurants, Kroya. Here, Chef Chanrith creates contemporary recipes in his youth, bringing traditional Cambodian meals to the forefront of modern cuisine. At Baitong, guests can enjoy Khmer street food, international snacks and a hearty brunch.

Shinta Mani is a holy place in the city, and this is felt every time. They can arrange personal guided yoga and meditation sessions. Nestled high among the trees is the Khmer Tonics Spa which offers treatments based on traditional Khmer healing rituals.

It is a hotel with heart and soul and every guest supports the work of the Shinta Mani Foundation, which was established to support health, education and development programs for underprivileged Cambodians.

Shinta Mani Wild

Shinta Mani Wild is one of those special hotels that stay with you. Designed by Bill Bensley, it is his own personal Jungle Book, set in the rainforest of Cardamom National Park. Designed to blend in with its surroundings and with minimal impact, this property should be on everyone’s bucket list. 15 safari-style tents located by the river and surrounded by jungle. They embody timeless elegance combined with luxurious touches such as air conditioning and the most comfortable beds. Each has a deck overlooking the river with a standalone bathtub.

At Shinta Mani Wild activities are a big part of the stay. The guides, known as Bensley Butlers are there to make your stay a memorable one, guiding the adventure to ensure you get the most out of your time in the rainforest. For a more unconventional entrance, guests can arrive at the lodge by zip line where the staff will be waiting with a fresh cocktail.

Water is an essential part of the Cardamom rainforest experience. Visit The Cistern, a 35-meter pool in the middle of the trees, enjoy a dip in the river, jump over the waterfall, or relax with a stone foot massage while soaking in the river. Beyond this, explore by river boat or kayak, go out with the anti-poaching team, enjoy cycling, hiking and more to discover this amazing part of the country.

Considering its location deep in the jungle, the food at Shinta Mani is amazing. The chefs work hard to create delicious food that combines flavors from Cambodia and beyond. Whenever possible, they use local ingredients and forage, grow vegetables and raise chickens on site. The forest provides an abundance of fresh ingredients from herbs to red ants – zesty, local delicacy!

This is truly one of the most special hotels in Southeast Asia.

Six Senses Krabey Island

Part of the famous Six Senses Group, Six Senses Krabey Island is a gem on Cambodia’s coastline. The hotel is located on a tropical island and offers forty private villas nestled in the lush vegetation that surrounds it.

Each villa has a private pool and views of the sea and surrounding vegetation. They are completely gorgeous, private hideaways. Decorated with a fresh and modern style, they offer all the comfort you could want and each comes complete with its own GEM (Guest Experience Manager) to make your stay even more perfect.

Sustainability is at the heart of this property and they work hard to preserve the native flora and fauna. The majority of staff are employed from the local community, ensuring traditional Cambodian culture is preserved and the local community is supported. On the island, they maintain a small herb garden and, on the mainland, a larger organic farm that provides ingredients for many of the hotel’s farm-to-table meals.

A recent biodiversity study on the island identified endangered Indochinese Silver Langurs, water monitors, and 41 bird species. The property has also launched a Reef Protection Training Course that helps participants gain more knowledge about coral reefs, anthropogenic impacts on coral reefs, coral bleaching, and how to experience the underwater world responsibly. The hotel’s Grow With Six Senses children’s program encourages future generations in these sustainable practices.

Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Private Island is located in an authentic archipelago and offers a very remote private island experience. In Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, lies the original island known locally as Song Saa – Khmer for ‘The Sweethearts’. The resort includes the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a bridge over Cambodia’s first Marine Reserve built to protect the island’s coral reefs and marine life. It’s a tropical getaway with a modern twist. A tropical getaway that thrives on pristine private beaches, spacious wooden villas, heavenly spa sanctuaries and preserved coral reefs, Song Saa Private Island lets you step away from the world and settle into simple luxury.

Built with wood and reclaimed materials from the mainland, the resort’s design and architecture express our commitment to sustainability. Each villa is a complete private sanctuary with a mix of thatched roofs, canopy beds, upcycled decor and recycled furniture that ensures sustainability remains within the property. They are located in the forest, facing the sea or directly over the water. The villas are bright and airy and each has a private pool and expansive deck complete with daybed.

The cuisine at Song Saa is delicious and creative, using local ingredients, produced using organic and ethical methods. Guests can dine on elegant dishes with an exceptional local twist, a perfect combination of Khmer with contemporary.

The staff here strive to uphold the Buddhist tradition of ‘metta bhavana’ or love. In the spa they are committed to using sustainable and natural products from artisanal producers that also benefit the local community either here in Cambodia or the rest of the world. Treatments are designed to support the philosophy of Silence, Healing & Blessings. This is seen throughout the resort where the emphasis is on relaxation and detachment from the stress of life.

This is an exceptional hotel in a truly stunning location.

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specializing in custom vacations for Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to be a guest blogger on the Luxury Travel Blog to enhance your profile, please contact us.