Raffles Hotel Le Royal

The luxury Raffles Hotel Le Royal is an iconic landmark in Phnom Penh. Opening its doors in 1929, the hotel has hosted countless luminaries and heads of state, and is still one of the city's colonial gems. The impressive marble floor lobby has large Moorish archways, a glitzy chandelier, carved teak chairs, silver elephants, and golden Buddha statues, among other objets d'art. The front desk lies separate from the lobby, along with several boutique shops, leaving the lobby and its sleepy Writer's Bar for the enjoyment of guests. Raffles attracts anyone with an appreciation of historic hotels, although it's slightly more suited for adults, as it doesn't have children's facilities such as a kids' club or children's pool. Business travelers are drawn here too, for the style, fantastic cocktail bar where informal meetings can be held, and on-site meeting space. Overall, it truly is the Grande Dame of Phnom Penh.

The hotel is located just north of the center of Phnom Penh, just west of Wat Phnom, the famed temple and hill that serves as the northern border of what is considered the tourist zone of Phnom Penh. The hotel sits just off of Monivong Boulevard, the city's busiest street, but the hotel is set behind a gate and located just across the street from a small park, so the grounds feel tranquil. There are a decent amount of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance of the hotel, and the atmospheric riverside and Phnom Penh night market is a five-minute tuk-tuk ride (or a 15-minute walk). The trendier neighborhoods of the city are farther to the south, though, and it's a 10-minute ride to the BKK-1 ex-pat enclave, which is packed with chic dining, cafes, and boutiques. Street 240, another hip stretch of pavement, is also a 10-minute drive from the hotel, as is the lively area around the Royal Palace and National Museum. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is 15 minutes away by tuk-tuk or car. Expect a 30-minute taxi ride to the airport from Raffles.

There are 175 rooms and suites here and each is filled with colonial charm. The resort is divided into two wings: the old historic wing and a newer wing. Both wings feature plenty of elegance and style, and all rooms have wood floors, ceiling fans, and restrained colonial decor, with wooden work desks, an entry foyer, and bedside light controls. Expect to see wainscoted walls and classic art like etchings in gilded frames. All rooms feature 42-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi as well as wired internet. The suites have Lavazza coffee machines, small sofas, and French doors leading out to quiet balconies. Not all rooms are alike. The standard State Rooms are all in the newer wing, and have small balconies, while the higher category Landmark Rooms don't have balconies (except a few). Bathrooms are spacious and have extra large bathtubs and separate showers. All rooms in the historic wing have original fixtures and taps, extra high ceilings, as well as beautiful large claw foot tubs, whereas the newer rooms and suites lack some of the historic details. 

The Raffles Hotel Le Royal has two swimming pools set in its lovely garden. One pool is slightly smaller more shallow than the other, but it does not have a children's section, so small kids still need supervision. The hotel has a large fitness center with modern equipment that's open to local membership, and includes nice extras like a sauna, steam room, and large whirlpool, plus stylish locker rooms for men and women. There is a small spa adjoining the fitness center, but surprisingly, given Raffles stature, it doesn't amount to much, with very small treatment rooms, though treatments get high marks. The hotel is also very well equipped for meetings and functions, with a large ballroom and meeting rooms, and Raffles hosts many high-profile events that take place in Phnom Penh.

For dining and drinking, the Le Royal restaurant is an attractive option. It serves haute Khmer cuisine and French food, with elegant set menus. On the weekends, the restaurant is home to a fancy Champagne brunch, with luxurious imported meats, smoked salmon, sushi, and more. The main hotel restaurant is the Cafe Monivong, where a breakfast buffet is served, along with Mediterranean and grill specialties for dinner. Keep in mind that breakfasts are not included with all room rates. The Elephant Bar is the hotel's signature bar. The look is classic -- with plush brown chairs, silver elephant candle holders, and large windows facing out the front of the hotel -- and the bar draws guests from across the city. Guests can also drink at the cozy Writer's Bar in the lobby, as well as at the Poolside Terrace, where there are umbrella covered tables by the main pool. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Airport limousine service is available for a fee.