Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia blends French colonial style with Cambodian history to create a wonderfully atmospheric oasis. Originally opened in 1929 Le Royal has been at the heart of the city’s story for over 80 years. In 1997 a new chapter began when the hotel reopened following a careful and considerable restoration by Raffles. The hotel commissioned a local traditional Khmer artist’s studio to create painted ceilings, decorative beaten copper crests and outdoor sculptures. Original features were restored and landscape architects were responsible for subtly enhancing the magnificent garden, where mature native and ornamental trees were added alongside original the planting. Nowadays Raffles Hotel Le Royal blends the charm of days gone by with every modern comfort. The recipient of many awards, the most recent being a 7th consecutive entry into Travel + Leisure’s ‘500 Best Hotels in the World’ 2011, it is undoubtedly the most distinguished hotel in Phnom Penh. Enjoy a Femme Fatale, the signature cocktail named in honour of another femme fatale, Jacqueline Kennedy, in the historical Elephant Bar before savouring the Royal Duck carved tableside at the highly acclaimed Restaurant Le Royal.
Outside the hotel, Phnom Penh is buzzing with things to do and places to see. Shop in the Central Market or Street 240, spend a day sightseeing at the Royal Palace and National Artifacts Museum, or take a private boat cruise along the Mekong River. Then relax with a massage at the spa and cool off with a swim in the lap pool. And don’t forget to check the colour of the doorman’s trousers: at Raffles in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, doormen wear different coloured trousers every day, following a similar tradition in the royal palace, so that the king only needed to look at palace staff to know what day of the week it was.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal is a 20-minute drive from Phnom Penh-Pochentong International Airport (PNH) and within easy walking distance of the city’s attractions.
At a glance: 170 guest rooms, suites and apartments; 5 restaurants; 2 bars; spa; 25m pool spa; boutique shops; Wi-Fi www.raffles.com/phnompenh
