Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 reveals our readers’ picks of the best hotels, pools, spas and even general managers in Cambodia. Think rustic luxe, with a hearty helping of old-world and private-island style.
CAMBODIA HAS EMERGED from the pandemic with a new face and focus, with sustainable and community-based travel being pushed nationwide. Home to the region’s largest intact rainforest – the Cardamom Mountains – the mighty Mekong River, pristine islands, mountain ranges and soaring plains, it’s little wonder why.
It therefore comes as no surprise that in the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, our readers selected a string of nature-based gems in the Best Beach, Island or Upcountry Hotel in Cambodia category, with the fabulous Shinta Mani Wild Bensley Collection scooping the top spot. Tucked away in the heart of the Cardamoms, this divine resort blends the best of nature with starchitect Bill Bensley’s uber-creative designs, where a highlight is taking a walk on the wild side alongside the rangers who protect the forest. The country’s luxurious private islands also put in a strong appearance, with Six Senses Krabey Island and Song Saa Private Island snagging second and third place respectively.
-
Rosewood Phnom Penh. Courtesy of Rosewood
-
Daniel Simon, Rosewood Phnom Penh. Courtesy of Rosewood
Major international hotel brands have opened up since the pandemic, elevating the Kingdom of Wonder’s hospitality game. We may have to wait until next year for them to put in an appearance, though; for now, stylish Rosewood Phnom Penh, with its mesmerizing vistas of the capital’s skyline has been crowned the Best City Hotel in Cambodia – and its GM, Daniel Simon, took the title of Best Hotel Manager. The old-world Raffles brand, though, shows that luxury also rests with the ages, as grande dames Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and Raffles Hotel Le Royal secured second and third place.
-
Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Courtesy of Accor
-
Courtesy of Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Raffles Hotel Le Royal is also a favorite with visitors wanting to cool down from Cambodia’s oppressive heat. Its vast swimming pool flanked by frangipani trees and pristine lawns that are unique to the capital saw it walk away with the title of Best Hotel Pool. Other major names put in an appearance, including Park Hyatt Siem Reap’s (No. 6) inviting pool that cuts through the hotel’s minimalist architecture, and Templation’s (No. 7) cool collection of swimming spots that the property is designed around.
There’s certainly no shortage of spas in Cambodia, but our readers voted for wellness heavyweight Six Senses Krabey Island as the best. Ayurveda and aerial yoga on a private island? Sign us up.
Best Beach, Island + Upcountry Hotels in Cambodia
4. Amber Kampot
7. Koh Russey Villas and Resort
8. Knai Bang Chatt, Krong Kaeb
Best City Hotels in Cambodia
2. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
4. Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection Pool Villas
5. Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
6. Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa
9. Amansara
Best Hotel Pools in Cambodia
2. Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang
3. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
5. Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa
7. Templation
8. Plantation Urban Resort & Spa
9. Amansara
Best Hotel Spas in Cambodia
2. Sense at Rosewood Phnom Penh
3. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
4. Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection Pool Villas
6. Amansara
7. Jivapita Spa at Hyatt Regency
Best Hotel General Managers in Cambodia
1. Daniel Simon, Rosewood Phnom Penh
2. David Steyn, Shinta Mani Wild
3. Dennis De Groot, Raffles Hotel Le Royal
4. Giulio D’Alberto, Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang
5. Rina Mariani, Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Check out these lists of the best hotels, pools, spas and general managers in Cambodia for heaps of inspiration that are guaranteed to lure you to this friendly, still-less-traveled country in 2023. And for all of this year’s Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific winners, click here.
Lede image credit: sangnguyenphotographer/pixabay/Canva.
Written By
