The Best of Cambodia & Laos

100
SIEM REAP
6
WHERE TO STAY
front are mini fountains, spitting out streams of water that also empty into the pool.
Rooms are, thank goodness, more subtle. Blond wood furniture gives things a light feeling
and a floral spritzer gives everything a springtime-fresh smell. Bathrooms are reasonable
size with tallow stone tubs and separate glass shower consoles.
Rd. No. 6 and Sivatha St. & 063/969-999. Fax 063/969-992. www.sokhahotels.com. 276 units. $250–
$300 double; from $500 suite. AE, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; bar; lounge; concierge; health club;
outdoor pool; room service; spa. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, high-speed Internet, minibar.
Victoria Angkor Hotel The Victoria expands its empire of fine hotels (mostly
in Vietnam) to Cambodia. Victoria Angkor is a tasteful replica of a French colonial–era
hotel, but with all of the amenities and functionality of a modern resort. Public spaces
are done in earth tones, rattan and wood accents, and Art Deco floor tiles in mustard
yellow tones. A large central atrium with period-piece elevator and towering courtyard
staircase greets the visitor to this downtown campus, just a stone’s throw from the Raffles
(see above). The central pool is a private oasis surrounded by a mini jungle, with open-air
massage areas nestled in the flora. Rooms are large, luxurious, and decorated with retro
oil paintings of peaceful jungle scenes and framed photographs of everyday life in Siem
Reap. Floors are wood with a border of fine tile that matches luxurious woven bedspreads.
All rooms have balconies. Colonial suites have individual themes and the best
ones are the corner suites with large, covered outdoor balconies. Fine dining at their Le
Bistrot (p. 106) is tops.
Central Park, P.O. Box 93145, Siem Reap. & 063/760-428. Fax 063/760-350. www.victoriahotels-asia.
com. 130 units. $328–$368 double; $494 colonial suite (breakfast is an additional $18–$20). AE, MC, V.
Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; babysitting; bike rentals; children’s center; concierge; Jacuzzi; spacious
outdoor saltwater pool; room service; spa. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi.
EXPENSIVE
Allson Angkor Hotel Of the many hotels along the airport road, Rte. 6, the
Angkor Hotel is the best (and only slightly more expensive than the rest). Popular with
group tours, the hotel is large and ostentatious, with high, Khmer-style roofs and large
reproductions of temple statuary in the entry. Everything is clean and comfortable, if a
bit sterile. Ask for a room in the new building in the back. Guest rooms are bland but
large, with crown molding, clean carpet, and good, familiar amenities like a minibar and
safe. The bathrooms are a little small. This is a good, comfortable step down from the
glitzier hotels in town, and the best choice if they’re full. The lobby is always busy with
tour groups, but the staff remains friendly and expedient. The hotel is sufficiently selfcontained,
with good basic amenities, an outdoor pool in the courtyard, a good restaurant,
and all necessary services. The two caged bears in the hotel’s garden are enough to
make you cry, though.
Rte. 6, Phum Sala Kanseng. & 063/964-301. Fax 063/964-302. www.angkor-hotel-cambodia.com. 193
units. May–Sept $70 double; $74 deluxe; $150 suite. Oct–Apr $75 double; $85 deluxe; $160 suite. AE, MC,
V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; basic gym; Internet; outdoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer,
minibar.
Angkor Village Hotel In a quiet neighborhood not far from the main market,
this peaceful little hideaway is a unique maze of wood bungalows connected by covered
boardwalks surrounding a picturesque ivy-draped pond. Rooms are rustic wooden affairs
with high bamboo catay ceilings, wood beams, built-in cabinetry, comfortable beds, and
decorative touches like traditional Khmer shadow puppets and statuary. Top units have
balconies overlooking the central pond. Bathrooms are all large, with a tub/shower