Beyond Angkor Wat’s allure: discovering Cambodia’s hidden gems in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
From authentic Khmer dining and luxe temple living at Anantara Angkor Resort, to Phnom Penh’s vibrant streets, riverside strolls and artisanal souvenirs
Here are some destinations worth checking out on your next visit to Cambodia, if you choose to stray off the beaten path.
Enjoy luxe temple living at Anantara Angkor Resort
In a place as down-to-earth and significant to human history as Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire located in modern-day Siem Reap, any average luxury resort – opulent and over-the-top as it may be – might look somewhat out of place. Strict height restrictions on buildings, including a ban on high-rise skyscrapers taller than Angkor Wat out of respect for Siem Reap’s cultural landscape, make the city feel more sacred than your typical tourist destination.
If – considering these surroundings – living in luxury feels out of touch, Anantara Angkor Resort offers a more grounded approach to hospitality, inviting guests to discover the deeper sense of purpose behind luxury travel and experience their holidays a little differently, at a relaxed and comfortable pace nonetheless. Design touches taken from the walls and ruins of Angkor Wat, from the temple pillars to the window balusters, are replicated liberally throughout the resort, giving the overall impression of a tribute to temple living. And while the hotel blends seamlessly into the city’s humble landscape, hidden treasures abound inside, including a panoramic pool view framed by palm trees and fragrant flowers that remind you this is still a luxury resort, after all.
Thoughtful considerations also aim to minimise the resort’s impact on its surrounding environment. Sustainability efforts feel both impressive and sincere, proving to be a true highlight of the guest experience. Herbs and produce used in the resort’s restaurant and bar are home-grown at the rooftop garden, which guests are welcome to peruse, discovering the many sights, scents and sensations that shape local cuisine, from the crunchy texture of noni leaves to the singular smell of basil. It’s a welcome reminder that mindful consumption isn’t just an afterthought here. Even food waste goes on to serve another purpose, to be used either as compost for the garden soil or livestock feed at local farms.
It’s the human touch, however, that makes a stay at Anantara Angkor Resort worth writing home about. First, there are the warm smiles of staff members who come to welcome you personally at check-in, wrapping a welcome krama, or Cambodian scarf, made by local artisans, around your neck. Then there are performances by Khmer dancers at sunset, a visually arresting spectacle that doesn’t so much lean into theatrics as it does honour an authentically local way of life, ensuring guests never lose sight of what makes this country’s culture so special.