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Published on October 27, 2007

With Angkor Wat - the spectacular, multi-tier 12th-century Hindu temple - standing as the centrepiece of town, Siem Ream is no doubt a great destination for culture buffs. But as is the case in most of Cambodia, there's not much to talk about in terms of luxury accommodation. So it is with great relief that the well-off traveller comes across the centre for high-living and hedonism known as the Sofitel Phokeethra Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort, which is brimming with good old charming colonial architecture and a spacious courtyard.

Located on Charles de Gaulle Avenue, Siem Reap's beautiful tree-lined thoroughfare, the low-rise yet spacious resort keeps its guests far from the city's far-flung and noisy business district. But only a few minutes away by car is the Unesco World Heritage Site of mediaeval Angkor.

The hotel itself is set among lush gardens. Birdsong accentuates the charming atmosphere. Once you checked in at the front desk, the white, wood-trimmed corridor leads from the elegant lobby through a scenic garden. At the end of each small pathway or corridor is the entrance to a guestroom.

The Sofitel Phokeethra Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort has 238 guestrooms, including 23 suites and the unique Thubtim Siam Suite. Beyond the colonial architecture and facades, and low-rise buildings with pink canopies, all guestrooms and suites are appointed in tones of contemporary decoration: white-washed walls, wood flooring, dark-chocolate-coloured furniture and light-brown curtains.

Some luxury rooms have a private balcony, where guests can take a few steps closer to the scenic garden or listen to the chirping birds.

The bathroom is fine and spacious, with separate shower and bathtub (unfortunately, the bath is not big enough for two). Those who don't pack their own toiletries for the road will definitely be happy with Sofitel's selection of body lotion, shampoo, bath gel and toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The resort boasts a lagoon-like swimming pool with different depths, so children can enjoy plunging and splashing in the water.

A short walk from the pool bar is the Royal Angkor Spa. It's definitely a tempting destination - especially after climbing up to the top level of Angkor Wat or returning from a game of golf.

When it comes to dining, the Citadel restaurant serves fine breakfast with selections of Japanese, Western and Thai food. With several Thai chefs, the restaurant serves an excellent phad ka prao (fried pork with holy basil leaves and lot of green chilli) - probably the most sensational phad ka prao outside Thailand.

The Citadel also serves a great dinner, but so too does the Mahout's Dream restaurant, specialising in French cuisine with a large selection of wine. After a few glasses of red wine, traditional Khmer music and the intriguing movies of Apsara dancers, you can't help but start to imagine the hotel's wooden corridors transforming into the stone pathways of Angkor.

It's nice to imagine that, anyway.

The Sofitel Phokeethra Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort is also popular with golfers. The resort owns the Phokeethra Country Club, a championship course just a short drive from Siem Reap. From November 29 to December 2, the resort will play host to the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open - the first-ever Asia Tour tournament to be held in the country.

The bottom line is that the Royal Angkor is one of a very few luxury hotels in town. The service is professional and equivalent to what you would expect in a luxury chain hotel anywhere in the world. It's an ideal place for families on holiday as well as business travellers.

Phoowadon Duangmee

The Nation

Siem reap, Cambodia