Raffles Grand Hotel d?Angkor in Siem Reap has reopened its doors following a six-month restoration.
First opened in 1932, the hotel has been welcoming travellers and famous faces ? from Charlie Chaplin to Michelle Obama and Jackie Kennedy - to the heart of Cambodia for more than 80 years.
Set in Siem Reap?s leafy French Quarter, the hotel re-opened with restored rooms, a fresh fa?ade, new signature restaurant and Children?s Club, as well as a menu of Raffles Curated Journeys; from exploring Angkor Wat by Vespa and temple picnics at sunrise to an Insider Art Tour by Tuk Tuk.
The hotel is deeply rooted in local culture; the restoration has retained the colonial charm, heritage and architectural grandeur. Guests will get to enjoy Apsara performance ? a traditional Cambodian dance.
Besides the refreshed fa?ade, 119 rooms and suites have also been redesigned, with warm, hardwood floors, brighter interiors, coffee machines and pillow-top mattresses. Bathrooms boast Italian tiling, oversized rain showers and claw-foot tubs, with views over Cambodia?s iconic swimming pool; inspired in design and size by the ancient bathing pools of the Khmer Kings in Angkor.
With executive chef Angela Brown at its helm, the hotel?s restaurants have also been refurbished, including Caf? d?Angkor, an all-day dining restaurant.
A menu of five new, Raffles Curated Journeys have also been revealed. Guests can explore Angkor Archaeological Park on a chauffeured Vespa, with access to the little-known and hard-to-reach areas. Art-enthusiasts can embark on a tuk-tuk tour Siem Reap?s modern art scene, or journey the Silk Road of Angkor, visiting the beautiful sandstone temple of Bantaey Srei and Golden Silk Farm.
Around 15 acres of landscaped lawns surround the property, while culinary and botanical gardens provide fresh herbs and spices for the restaurants and an array of exotic tropical plants can be seen on guided walks, from rare palms to Frangipani Trees. As well as outdoor movies, cocktail events and parties, the gardens will play home to the Raffles Tennis Club in the Raffles Tennis Courts ? a rarity in Siem Reap.
Rooms start from ?160 in low season including breakfast.
For more information, go to www.raffles.com/siem-reap/
