Grande Dame of Siem Reap returns
Published on 02 Oct 2019. | Source: theedgemarkets.com
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, a landmark hotel along the legendary Grand Tour of Indochina, has officially reopened following an extensive six-month restoration. First opened in 1932, widely celebrated as La Grande Dame de Angkor, the hotel has been welcoming discerning travellers and famous faces — from Charlie Chaplin to Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama — to the historic heart of Cambodia for over 80 years.
Beyond the refreshed facade that retains the colonial style synonymous with the heritage and history of the Raffles brand, all 119 rooms and suites have received a meticulous facelift. Warm, hardwood floors, lighter and brighter interiors, Segafredo coffee machines, USB charging stations and Simmons pillow-top mattresses are new features added to complement traditional ceiling fans and brass rotary telephones. All bathrooms have been extensively renovated and upgraded with new Italian tiling and rain showers some of which feature grand claw-foot tubs and views over Cambodia’s most iconic swimming pool.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor retains its old-world French colonial charm while introducing new levels of unrivalled luxury and comfort. The original teak and wrought iron cage elevator is carefully preserved as part of the original architecture to ferry guests up and down the heritage building. Deemed the last bastion of Cambodia’s Golden Age of Travel, the hotel is deeply rooted in local culture; the restoration has retained its colonial charm, heritage, and architectural grandeur, yet still leads the way in answering the needs of today’s most discerning guest.
Another significant new addition to the hotel is the Sugar Palm Club, designed to nurture the spirit of adventure in children. From historical tours of the hotel to special teepee tents for the rooms, the kids’ club provides a number of activities for children that open up their world and sense of wonder. An additional feature situated within 15 acres of lush French gardens where the hotel is located will be the addition of The Raffles Marquee early next year, a fully air-conditioned marquee to provide a spacious venue for events and functions.
With executive chef Angela Brown at its helm, the hotel will offer exclusive new dining concepts. Named after the year that Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor first opened, 1932 is the hotel’s new signature restaurant, serving up Brown’s take on Cambodian cuisine with an innovative interplay of traditional ingredients and progressive cooking methods. It is currently the only destination in Cambodia offering authentic Royal Khmer cuisine originated from ancient Khmer recipes gifted to Raffles by royal decree. Gourmands can savour signature dishes such as the Chateaubriand pairing Lok Lak spiced Wagyu beef striploin with grape puree, pickled water lily and Lok Lak essence, and the Crisp Kroeung marinated quail perfected with sweet potato fondant, long bean salad and authentic Khmer curry sauce, as well as a variety of seasonal specials featuring fresh local ingredients. Guests may choose to complete their experience with Sipsmith’s Raffles 1915 Gin in the swish Elephant Bar or enjoy traditional Afternoon Tea in the colonial-style Conservatory.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is situated a mere 20-minute drive to the doorway of the Unesco Heritage temples of Angkor. To allow guests to explore more of the fascinating destination, the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor offers an enticing series of Raffles Curated Journeys and Resort Programmes designed to infuse local experiences with worldly elegance. Guests can explore the ancient Angkor Archaeological Park on an iconic Vespa, before being one of the first travellers of the day to enter the temple. Art enthusiasts can embark on a local tuk-tuk tour of Cambodia’s most iconic artworks, or journey the Silk Road of Angkor, visiting the beautiful Banteay Srei Temple and Golden Silk Farm. Food aficionados can taste Siem Reap on an exclusive Khmer Culinary Discovery, while shopaholics saunter Siem Reap’s Kandal Village neighbourhood with the assistance of a Raffles butler, and culture lovers can enjoy a majestic performance of Cambodian dances in the Apsara Terrace. Within the resort grounds, guests can take part in on-site activities including monk blessings, Singapore Sling masterclasses, botanical and culinary garden tours, and a tour with the hotel’s resident historian.
For reservations, email [email protected] or call (+855) 63 963 888.
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