Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is the classic splurge in Siem Reap and one of the great colonial hotels of Asia. It opened in 1932, built in a French art deco style with Khmer touches, at a time when wealthy travellers came by steamer and car to see the newly cleared temples. Raffles restored it and reopened it at the end of 1997, and a six-month renovation in 2019 refreshed the rooms and architectural details. The hotel sits in the Old French Quarter facing the Royal Gardens and the king’s residence, a short walk from the Angkor National Museum. Its 119 rooms and suites look over about 15 acres of landscaped gardens, including lotus ponds and river gardens. The 35-metre pool, inspired by the ancient royal bathing pools of Angkor, is one of the finest in Cambodia, and Raffles Spa offers traditional Khmer treatments. The Elephant Bar is a Siem Reap institution at cocktail hour, and afternoon tea is served in The Conservatory to piano music. Expedia guests rate it 9.6 out of 10.
Location and getting around: the hotel is in the leafy Old French Quarter, facing the Royal Gardens, about eight kilometres from the Angkor temples and 48 kilometres from the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. The Old Market and Pub Street area is a short tuk-tuk ride or a pleasant walk along the river, and the Angkor National Museum is a few minutes away on foot. The hotel can arrange temple days by car with a guide.
Rooms: rooms and suites are furnished in a colonial style with polished wood, period details and high ceilings, and many look over the pool and gardens. Three villas beside the pool were added in the 1990s, one of which houses the spa.
Who it suits: couples celebrating a special trip, history lovers who want to stay where generations of Angkor travellers stayed, and anyone who wants a calm, elegant retreat after hot temple days.
Good to know: book temple days early, since sunrise starts mean very early breakfasts, which the hotel can pack. Reserve a table for 1932, the fine-dining restaurant, or Café d’Angkor, and arrive at the Elephant Bar before the evening rush. Ask about airport transfers when booking, as the new airport is about an hour away.
Why stay here
- ✓35-metre outdoor pool
- ✓Raffles Spa
- ✓Elephant Bar
- ✓Afternoon tea in The Conservatory
- ✓1932 fine-dining restaurant
- ✓Café d’Angkor
- ✓About 15 acres of gardens
- ✓Temple tours arranged
Good questions
When did Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor open?+
The hotel opened in 1932 and was restored by Raffles, reopening at the end of 1997. A six-month renovation in 2019 refreshed the rooms and architecture.
How far is Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor from Angkor Wat?+
It is about eight kilometres from the Angkor temples, roughly fifteen to twenty minutes by car or tuk-tuk. The new airport is about 48 kilometres away.
Does Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor have a pool?+
Yes, it has a 35-metre pool inspired by Angkor’s ancient royal bathing pools, set in about 15 acres of gardens. Raffles Spa is beside it.
