As the tourism industry in Siem Reap battles to survive it’s now the perfect time to visit for a long weekend or staycation. OK, that’s only possible if you’re in Cambodia right now but for those of us that live in ‘The Kingdom of Wonder’ we are blessed with some excellent rates at some of the finest hotels and resorts. Combine that with the fact that your money will go some way to help these hotels survive and the fact that Angkor Wat and the magnificent temples are currently deserted, there’s never been a better time to visit Siem Reap. Whilst in town be sure to visit the simply fantastic, Phare Circus where you will be entertained and left with an extra special feel good factor. Check out these 3 luxury hotels that are currently ‘Open in Siem Reap’ where you will be welcomed with open arms and treated to only the best of Cambodian hospitality.
Jaya House River Park
It’s impossible to argue with their #1 ranking out of nearly 600 Siem Reap hotels on Tripadvisor. At the time of writing, 2609 of the 2630 reviews are ranked as ‘Excellent’ which is the highest possible rating. That truly is some feat, and the team at Jaya House River Park have worked tirelessly since opening in 2016, to lead from the front with supreme customer service and attention to detail at this luxury hotel that offers a ‘home from home’ for visiting guests. Having recently re-opened, this riverside property now boasts a swanky new entrance where all arrivals have the chance to catch a glimpse of the stunning silver pool before being whisked away to their room or suite for a contactless check in experience. During your stay, don’t miss out on the magnificent sunsets from the roooftop bar, which is surely the coolest sunset spot in Siem Reap, whilst swimming in the silver pool is a unique and memorable experience that also shouldn’t be missed. From check in until check out at the #1 hotel in Siem Reap, we are sure that the Jaya House team will welcome you as part of their family meaning you will never want to leave.
Park Hyatt Siem Reap
You can be sure to enjoy the style and aesthetic that you would expect from a Park Hyatt hotel when you choose to stay at Park Hyatt Siem Reap. Located in the heart of the city, this luxury hotel was designed by Bangkok based, Bill Bensley and his team of creative designers and imaginative architects. The blend of art deco with Khmer influences and open, flowing spaces that fuse the interior and exterior make for a unique feel in a unique location. With 2 swimming pools to choose from and an excellent spa, your staycation at Park Hyatt Siem Reap will be both relaxing and rejuvenating. Start your evening with a glass of your favourite wine in The Living Room before enjoying a meal prepared by the excellent Cambodian executive chef, Pisith Theam who has a long history at this luxury property. He worked with his father who was executive chef at Hotel de la Paix, and when this historical hotel was reborn as Park Hyatt Siem Reap the legacy of his family lived on as he continued to impress international and local diners with his culinary talents.
FCC Angkor by Avani
Enjoying an enviable riverside location in central Siem Reap, FCC Angkor by Avani offers their guests a selection of rooms and suites throughout their two buildings. The original hotel was recently and extensively refurbished prior to re opening, which coincided with the much awaited completion and opening of their brand new wing. The hotel is set amongst the towering riverside trees, overlooking the river, and just a few hundred metres from the Royal Residence and the Royal Independance Parks making it the perfect option for those who enjoy an early morning or evening stroll, escaping the intense heat of the day. After your evening riverside wanderings, head back to ‘Scribe’ for your favourite cocktail or a glass of wine before heading upstairs to dine at ‘The Mansion’ which boasts unique garden, treetop and riverside views.
Phare Circus
A visit to Phare Circus will make you smile. Guaranteed. You are sure to be amazed by the team of talented human beings who have truly mastered their art. Combining music, drama, art, dance and circus skills, this really is entertainment at it’s finest. Any visit to Siem Reap should include a visit to this highly entertaining and socially responsible circus which is located in their own big top on the edge of the city. The enforced shutdowns due to COVID restrictions have impacted Phare massively and they really need our support right now, check out the excellent ticket promotions on their website and please help however you can. The purchasing of your ticket will go some way to providing free education, professional arts training and social support programs that are all part of Phare Ponleu Selpak (meaning ‘The Brightness of the Arts’), a Cambodian non-profit art school located in Battambang.
You can only imagine what Siem Reap must have been like before tourism arrived. The tropical trees and jungle vibe would have been well and truly, alive and kicking. In recent years, an exponential growth in tourist numbers has seen many of these magnificent trees removed to make way for development. As Siem Reap moves into 2021, there is a 150 million dollar programme of new and planned development which will help create Siem Reap 2.0 which is very exciting indeed. In the meantime, let’s do all we can to support those businesses that are #openinsiemreap so we can all still be around to enjoy what the future holds.
Paul Eyers is Founder of Vegan Food Quest. Vegan Food Quest have become luxury vegan travel specialists as they continue to find, eat and write about the best vegan food in the world.
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