discover siem reap

discover the gateway to the Angkor temples beyond what the guidebooks tell you! log on to www.siemreaplife.com for the latest dining, shopping, drinking, what nots on cambodia's premiere tourist destination!

shinta mani

Shita Mani is both a boutique hotel, restuarant, spa and most importantly, a hospitality school providing education to poor but talented Cambodian youth.

The hotel is small at around 20 rooms but it packs quite a punch.



The pool & spa at dusk



The restaurant


Ground floor rooms have direct access to the pool


Outdoor shower


The pool at day


Students and scholars at Shinta Mani




Aside from sponsoring the education of poor Cambodian students, Shinta Mani also works with the development of communities in Cambodia with their community programs and by connecting their guests to these communities who are in immediate need of assistance.

chow at the quay

Chow, a hip new Asian restaurant at the Quay Hotel recently opened at the bustling Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh.










Bringing cool vibes to the otherwise backpacker's area, there is also a lounge on the rooftop, bringing fantastic views of the Mekong and Tonle Sap River confluence.

siem reap art galleries

Travel+Leisure Magazine recently named Siem Reap, Cambodia as the new arts capital of Southeast Asia - in line with Bali and Singapore which has long held the crown... One of the reasons probably is because of Art Venues, a publication showcasing the best of Angkor's numerous art galleries and booming art scene...

























Copies of the Art Venues are free and are found on almost all major hotels and establishments...

L'escale des Arts & des Sens

With New Asian Cuisine as its claim to fame, L'Escale des Arts & des Ses is one of Siem Reap's most innovative restaurants when it comes to fine food. Although on the more pricey scale, the restaurant boasts of several edges:

- Chef Didier Corlou, French chef extraordinaire, designed the cuisine which is an amalgam of Khmer & Asian favorites but done with a modern French twist. The Khmer tapas and the soups are fantastic, that you'd even forget you're in Cambodia. Chef Didier has the bragging rights of cooking for US President George Bush and a bunch of world leaders during the APEC summit in Vietnam last year!

-Location. Location. Location! Tucked quietly by the old French quarter just behind the riverside avenue of Pokambor, the restaurant's quiet location is definitely a plus.







L'ESCALE DES ARTS & DES SENS
Oum Khun Street,
Old French Quarter
Siem Reap, Cambodia

kamasutra

This is an Indian restaurant we regularly go to in Siem Reap... the atmosphere is fantastic - it looks like a cross between a loft in New York and a hip deli somwhere in Mumbai - and of course, the food is affordable but fantastic.



Strung into the heart of touristlandia called Pub Street, this restaurant stands out like a sore thumb because of its very chic appeal.



They've got a fantastic selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes and the highly popular thali sets - an array of 3 sampler dishes on a plate with rice and naan bread. The roasted vegetables and the daal curry are classics you can eat every single day! The only drawback is DESSERTS DESSERTS DESSERTS! (They don't have any)



KAMASUTRA
FINE INDIAN CUISINE
The Pub Street
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was established in 1932 and provided accommodation for the first wave of travelers for whom the Angkor Temples were obligatory stopover.

Reopened in 1997 after an extensive restoration and refurbishment programme by Raffles International, the hotel resumes position as the premiere resort in Cambodia. A grand historic hotel, it is the place to stay in when visiting Angkor and is a destination unto itself.



Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor offers superior international standards of accommodation, services and facilities in a relaxed atmosphere with Cambodian hospitality and Angkorian overtones. It is located on the edge of Siem Reap on a 60,000 square metre site only eight kilometers away from the gateway of the famous Angkor Temples.



ACCOMMODATION & DINING

The hotel has 131 guestrooms and suites, each tastefully appointed with art deco country style furnishings and Cambodian object d art, reflecting the period architectural theme. The Main Building, carefully restored and refurbished to its original architectural style, is complemented by the new wing of the same architectural inspiration.



THE CONSERVATORY
What could be more enjoyable than traditional English afternoon tea or light refreshments served in the Conservatory. It has a discreet atmosphere and service you would expect from the historic hotel and allows you to enjoy the live piano tunes in the evening.

CAFÉ D’ANGKOR
For a delightful alfresco breakfast, lunch or dinner, wicker armchairs and tables covered with crisp linen are to be found here creating the perfect place to relax and linger over our delicious buffet style and ala carte menus.

RESTAURANT LE GRAND
Offers a wide selection of Royal Cambodian cuisine in the refined atmosphere. Replicas of sculptures from the Bayon and a collection of 13th century ceramics create a regal ambiance. Restaurant Le Grand can be divided into 3 private rooms each with its own entrance.



ELEPHANT BAR
For those guests who wish to enjoy original cocktails and a wide selection of premium spirits in a charming atmosphere at Siem Reap's most famous and historic bar.

POOLSIDE TERRACE
The poolside consists of the area around the 35m pool. Surrounded by fragrant Frangipani trees, it is the ideal venue for large, festive banquets. To heighten the ambiance and create a dramatic effect a thousand floating candles can transform the pool into the ocean of lights.



APSARA TERRACE
Situated in the gardens of the hotel surrounded by traditional Cambodian boundary stones and majestic wooden gates at the entrance, the Apsara Terrace exudes an air of magic and mystery. A stage with a backdrop of four wooden flagpoles is the ideal setting for classical dance performance.

TRAVELERS’ BAR
Adjoining Restaurant Le Grand, the Travelers’ Bar is the ideal gathering place for pre-dinner, as well as after dinner drinks.




RAFFLES GRAND HOTEL D'ANGKOR
1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang KumSiem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel: 855-63 963 888 Fax: 855-63 963 168
Email: siemreap@raffles.com
http://siemreap.raffles.com/

Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Raffles Hotel Le Royal is the premier hotel in Phnom Penh, a Hotel with those rare attributes of history and style. It was first established in 1927 and in its early heyday, enjoyed an international clientele comprising globetrotters adventurers, writers and journalists, royalty and dignitaries. Reopened in 1997, after a careful restoration and refurbishment programme by Raffles International, the grand historic hotel fulfils all the requirements of a modern world-class hotel in facilities and amenities, but imparts an old world charm through a style and décor which is elegant yet comfortable, classic yet casual.

Located in the heart of Phnom Penh. Raffles Hotel Le Royal is only 20 minutes drive from Phnom Penh International Airport and within easy access of the city's attractions like the Royal Palace, Central Market, Russian Market and the National Museum of Cambodia.

ACCOMMODATION & DINING
There are 170 guestrooms, apartments and suites, each tastefully appointed, with art deco style furnishings and Cambodian object d' art. The rooms are spread over three separate but interconnecting low-rise wings set around the garden courtyard and swimming pools. The Main building is beautifully restored and refurbished to its original architectural style.



CAFÉ MONIVONG
For a delightful alfresco breakfast, lunch or dinner, wicker armchairs and marble table covered with crisp white tablecloths are found here creating the perfect place to relax and linger over our delicious Western and Asian cuisine buffet style. A-la carte menu is also available. Private rooms are available on request.

RESTAURANT LE ROYAL
Offers a wide selection of modern French and Royal Cambodian cuisine in a refined and elegant atmosphere and is patronized by the who's who of Phnom Penh. Private rooms are available on request.

LE PHNOM
Enjoy fresh breakfast pastries in the morning. This deli also offers a variety of creations, which our bakery prepares daily including sandwiches and fresh garden salads. Hot and cold beverages available, eat in or take away.

ELEPHANT BAR
For those guests who wish to enjoy original cocktails and a wide selection of premium spirits in a sophisticated and charming atmosphere at Phnom Penh's most famous and historic bar.
Popular BBQ available every Friday at the Elephant Bar gardens.

THE CONSERVATORY
What could be more enjoyable than traditional English afternoon tea or light refreshments served in the Conservatory. It has the discreet atmosphere and service you would expect from a historic hotel and allows you to enjoy the gentle sounds of live classical music.





POOLSIDE TERRACE
Drinks and light snacks are served throughout the day including a special ice tea menu.

APSARA TERRACE
Dinner theatre featuring Cambodian cultural performances in a garden setting followed with outdoor dining.


RAFFLES HOTEL LE ROYAL
92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh (off Monivong Blvd) Sangkat Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel: 855-23 981 888 Fax: 855-23 981 168
Email: phnompenh@raffles.com
Web: www.phnompenh.raffles.com

(entry from the official factsheets designed by the spool artist (http://www.spoolartist.blogspot.com/)

angkor in a nutshell...

Let me begin this blog with Angkor... well, first and foremost, Angkor is the layman's endearing image of Cambodia, and even to Cambodian's the lifeline of the country has long centered and evolves around Angkor.

Even though Phnom Penh has been the country's capital since the late 1500's when the Angkor empire fell through the hands of it's rebellious province called Siam, Angkor has still been the symbol of Cambodia...


Ta Prohm - central sanctuary


Ta Prohm - northern santuary


Prasat Bayon in the middle of a deluge


Bayon moat


Angkor Wat July 2008