Brimming with colour and culture, these are the best boutique hotels in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Into the Khmer kingdom.
Bordering renowned destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is a must-visit for any traveller in the region. In fact, in Siem Reap UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkoring era temples, more recent French Indo-Chine heritage, and rich Khmer culture offer a wealth of experiential opportunities. To ensure you have outstanding digs to put your head down at the end of each day, we’ve sought out the best boutique hotels in Siem Reap. Experience character-filled villas, design- and art-centric boltholes in excellent locations, and plenty of opportunities to discover more about this fascinating part of the world.
The best boutique hotels in Siem Reap
1. Jaya House River Park
Jaya House River Park, alongside a peaceful section of the Siem Reap River, is a hidden gem just six minutes from the town centre. Each of the 36 rooms or suites has a balcony, direct garden or pool access, while the generous 90 sq-m Junior Pool Suites have al-fresco plunge pools. The property boasts a Spa, an all-day-dining restaurant, and two swimming pools, including one lined with solid silver tiles. It is also the country’s first plastic-free hotel.
Jaya House’s unique design is inspired by 1960s Cambodian Modernism and crafted from sustainably sourced wood and local stone. The interiors showcase local artisan works while a showstopping sculpture from Siem Reap-based British artist Sasha Constable graces the lobby. Jaya House mixes style and a social conscience by supporting locally focused NGOs, including 48 paintings commissioned from the Small Art School, giving underprivileged children free art classes.
The room rate inclusions are among the many things we love about this boutique hotel in Siem Reap. Expect breakfast for two, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity, espresso machine, fruit platters, turndown service, Jaya Organics bathroom amenities and organic tea selection. Even refillable water bottles in support of the hotel’s “Refill not Landfill” initiative. That’s all very impressive, and rates also include complimentary mini-bar, daily laundry service, 60-minute spa treatments per person per day, complimentary tuk-tuk rides to town, and airport transfers.
Discover more about Jaya House River Park
2. Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection Pool Villas
Shinta Mani Angkor could rightly be described as three carefully designed boutique properties in one. All exude the extravagant design flair and luxurious elegance of Thailand-based and highly acclaimed American designer Bill Bensley. Shinta Mani Angkor sits in the leafy French Quarter of Siem Reap and is a 10-minute walk from the central town area.
The Angkor wing offers 39 elegant rooms ranging from 36 to 45 sq-m, with state-of-the-art simplicity and tastefully decorated contemporary Khmer art and photography. Hidden at its heart is a palm-lined shaded pool. Also housed within the Angkor wing is the Bensley Bar, a must for happy hour or post-dinner nightcaps. Plus, the upscale Khmer dining experience Kroya by Chef Chanrith and one of Siem Reap’s most popular Spas, Khmer Tonics.
The Bayon wing comprises 62 rooms and four suites in a courtyard, overlooking a lush tropical landscape and a stunning 23-metre swimming pool. Ground floor rooms have patios that open directly towards the pool, while the upper floor rooms have balconies. Baitlong restaurant is perfect for poolside breakfast, all-day dining, or afternoon cocktails at the pool bar.
Between the two wings is the ultimate in luxury – the Bensley Collection Pool Villas. An exclusive set of 10 villas tucked away in a walled enclave. These opulent two-level 156 sq-m residences feature separate bedroom and bathroom pavilions and a nine-metre private pool surrounded by lush gardens. The rooftop sky lounge is perfect for outdoor dining, relaxing, or sleeping under the stars. The intuitive Bensley Butlers attend to all your needs when staying at the Bensley Collection Pool Villas.
Read our full review of the Bensley Collection Pool Villas.
Learn more about Shinta Mani Angkor
3. Heritage Suites Hotel
French architectural elegance meets tropical luxury in this quiet, romantic retreat tucked away in a lane a short walk from the River. Standard rooms are available, however, most guests choose one of the 20 spacious open-plan suites. Each exudes 1960s retro cool with Khmer design elements and modern amenities, a steam room, and a massive free-standing black marble bathtub. The suites have high ceilings, skylights, small private gardens with rain showers, and half come with a private plunge pool.
The colonial-era main building at the resort’s entrance is all about culinary delights. The downstairs has tables arranged along large picture windows, where guests can enjoy the excellent à la carte breakfast with fresh juices, a light lunch and dinner. The mezzanine floor is dedicated to the fine dining offering of The Heritage Restaurant.
Fringed by a wall of greenery, the centrally located saltwater pool is a haven of relaxation. Bamboo Pool Bar offers cocktails and light snacks and is ‘the’ place for pre-dinner drinks. Heritage Spa provides the ultimate pampering and wellness experiences. The in-house travel agency can organise all your outings, including a sunset cruise on the Tonlé Sap or a luxury glamping experience in the Dângrêk Mountains. The hotel’s two vintage Mercedes add that extra panache for airport transfers and personalised tours.
Find out more about Heritage Suites Hotel
4. Anantara Angkor Resort
Anantara Angkor Resort is a sanctuary for the senses and pays thoughtful tribute to Khmer culture. A bird’s eye view reveals the resort is shaped to resemble Angkor Wat. At ground level, it is reminiscent of a grand Khmer villa, with a central courtyard pool inspired by ancient royal bathing rituals. Khmer wooden carvings throughout the resort showcase the country’s rich history. This is mixed with modern art elements such as the Henry Moore-inspired giant sculpture of a mother and child by the pool.
Anantara Angkor’s 39 expansive and elegantly comfortable suites cluster around the pool. They are designed in contemporary Cambodian style, with handcrafted teak wood furniture, rich textiles and unique local artwork. All suites come with daily fruits, sweet and savoury bites from the Executive Chef, JBL Bluetooth speaker and Nespresso machine and the resort’s one-call-service concept delivered by the Experience Butlers.
Chi restaurant begins with an international buffet of live cooking stations, freshly baked pastries, tropical fruits and more for breakfast. Lunch and dinner offer organic, farm-to-table, progressive Khmer cuisine. Spice Spoon personalised cooking classes are also available. Anantara Spa draws inspiration from indigenous ingredients from centuries of local know-how. Indulgent treatments soothe aching muscles after long days of discovery.
Anantara Angkor is a fifteen-minute tuk-tuk ride to Siem Reap’s Old Market area. The airport is just ten minutes away.
Learn more about Anantara Angkor
5. Viroth’s Hotel
Viroth’s Hotel is on a pretty street in Siem Reap’s Wat Bo Village area, just 400 metres from the Old Market. Created by ASMA Architects, it features a 1950s-inspired design, complemented by green cascading vertical gardens on every floor. The property opened in February 2015.
The guestrooms here are decked out with chic interiors, vintage furnishings, modern amenities, and ancient artefacts, balancing trendy design and stylish detailing. The picture is completed with the polished cement tiled floor, the finest linens, and a sizeable light-filled terrazzo bathroom. Deluxe rooms start at 35 sq-m, while the four suites are between 46 to 49 sq-m. All rooms have spacious private terraces.
The centrepiece of the palm-fringed central courtyard is the hotel’s 20-metre, crisp shades of aqua-blue mosaic-tiled pool. With its high ceiling, vintage-inspired fans and imposing bookshelf, the pool bar is a stylish watering hole for weary travellers. Also, just steps from the pool, the hotel’s restaurant is an indoor-outdoor space with banquette seating and linen-clad tables.
Framed by a vertical green wall, Sokkhak Spa carries the Khmer name for tranquillity. Book one of the three treatment rooms for soul-soothing rubs, beautifying wraps or revitalising facials. Additionally, Viroth’s offers a gym, library, and free WiFi throughout.
Discover more about Viroth’s Hotel
6. Treeline Urban Resort
Treeline Urban Resort is ideally situated on the riverside in the trendy Wat Bo Village. It’s near the heart of Siem Reap, meaning guests can take full advantage of the city’s evergrowing art, food, and cultural scene.
Leading Cambodian architect Hok Kang founded and built Treeline, inspired by the spectacular interplay between nature and civilisation. The 48 Deluxe rooms and Suites are designed and fabricated impeccably, with an organic and minimalist aesthetic. Sustainably sourced native timber and stone features combine with locally handmade soft furnishings to create a place of serene, laid-back luxury.
Treeline has four dining areas, each with its own theme and menu. With taste paramount and championing originality, creativity, and sustainability, all boast impressive plant-based menu options. SURI Spa incorporates Ayurvedic influences with ancient Southeast Asian massage traditions to help guests find their bliss. The serene rooftop infinity pool on the second floor offers all-day snacks and beverages and provides stunning views across the River.
Dedicated spaces from the lobby entrance onward feature masterfully crafted contemporary art by leading Cambodian artists and include a growing private collection. Treeline is very much a curated design and art-inspired hotel experience in Siem Reap.
Find out more about Treeline Urban Resort
7. Zannier Hotel’s Phum Baitang
Tucked away in the picturesque Cambodian countryside, Zannier Hotel’s Phum Baitang feels a world away from the gentle bustle of nearby Siem Reap town. Yet its vibrant markets and lively nightlife are just a short tuk-tuk ride away.
Phum Baitang is set within 20 acres of lush gardens and rice paddy fields. This all-villa resort features 25 private terraces and 20 pool villas in luxuriant tropical gardens. Villas are designed to capture the rustic charm of traditional Khmer wooden houses, albeit ones furnished with elegantly crumpled linen, hand-picked antiques, enormous oval tubs, and inviting daybeds on the terrace. Pool villas have a low-slung sala overlooking the grounds and a refreshing plunge pool.
The Sunset Lounge is an authentic 100-year-old farmhouse that pays homage to Cambodia’s colonial history. Furnished with rattan chairs, it is ideal for sipping cocktails from traditional to innovative while watching the sunset over the resort’s 50-meter outdoor infinity pool. Two restaurants – Bay Phsar and Hang Bay – offer locally-inspired flavours and international favourites.
An architectural vestige of Angkor, Phum Baitang’s Spa Temple, amid tropical gardens, embraces the wellness practices of the Asian continent. Skilled therapists create luxuriously pampering experiences using traditional techniques and natural products. This spacious wellness area offers a sense of tranquillity and rejuvenation.
Find out more about Zannier Hotel’s Phum Baitang
8. Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat
If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Siem reap with a serious focus on wellness, then Navutu Dreams Resort is the place to be. Offering a full schedule of yoga classes spanning a range of styles, guests can also enjoy everything from Reiki to acupuncture onsite.
28 rooms and villas are decorated in contemporary style with everything you could need. Enjoy three swimming pools alongside a restaurant that prioritise sustainable, local ingredients and don’t miss a trip to the heavenly spa.
Learn more about Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat
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