Park Hyatt Siem Reap exudes peace, with its tranquil pools, Khmer design flourishes and tropical wooden furnishings. What makes it stand apart from its luxury competition is its location in the heart of town, just a few hundred feet from central attractions like the Old Market, the royal residence, Pub Street and Kandal Village.
The hotel keeps with Park Hyatt's reputation for high-end urban retreats, but with the bold creative input by celebrated Bangkok- and Bali-based resort designer Bill Bensley. The American was behind the original art deco look and feel of the property when it opened back in 2002, and he was brought in to update it a decade later, retaining many of the aspects that had made it so fun (1930s-style door signs), but adding a touch of sophisticated opulence (elephant tusk bar tables).
The smart entry-level rooms either look out into the gardens or onto the city, but it's the Pool Suites that deserve your attention, with their private plunges and courtyard providing another level of escape.
While guests will enjoy the all-day Dining Room, with its mix of international and Khmer cuisine, and the dark wood Living Room — Bensley's ode to an explorer's boudoir — it's the bright and airy Glasshouse Deli that brings the French charm.
- Despite the appeal of the riverside hotels, you can't beat the walkability the Siem Reap hotel provides.
- Stretch out in the 1,859-square-foot Pool Suite, which comes with two bedrooms — each with its own bathroom — and two living areas whose glass doors open to a private plunge pool.
- The refreshing saltwater pool with a series of white angular arches and green tiles begs to be on your Instagram feed. After snapping some photos, partake in the complimentary cold water and sunscreen.
- Speak to the concierge about the tasty Num Bahn Chok Tour, where the hotel chef takes you on a farm-to-table journey exploring Cambodia's famous rice noodle dish.
- You don't have to venture far to experience local culture. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, the hotel puts on a dinner show in The Dining Room courtyard featuring quality apsara dancing and bokator martial arts.
- While all accommodations are fairly comfortable, make sure you book a courtyard-facing room over a city-facing one — it's worth it for the greener views and lack of traffic noise
- The luxury hotel offers two pools. If you want the more quiet option, bypass the ground-floor lap pool and instead head to the first-floor lagoon, a wonderful spot that offers plenty of private corners for a snooze.
- Altogether there are 104 suites and rooms that face the street or the hotel gardens.
- White multi-tiered ceilings and dark wood furniture are accented with warm yellows and sea blues. The higher-end offerings providing a choice of plunge pool or rooftop garden.
- The rooms are grounded in their location through the addition of Khmer-inspired art, colonial-style ceiling fans and century-old framed French blueprints for Angkor.
- Draped in white Italian marble, the bathrooms all have a tub and separate shower.
- The riverside Made in Cambodia market, only open in the afternoon and evening, is a fantastic place to go shopping for locally produced arts, crafts and unique curios.
- Just north of Siem Reap, the Angkor National Museum provides an excellent introduction to the ancient city, and can be combined with quality duty-free shopping next door.
- After a busy morning at the Angkor Archaeological Park, spend a leisurely afternoon at Kandal Village, where you can stop for a latte, browse and get bite to eat.
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