Prince D'Angkor Hotel & Spa

The Prince D'Angkor Hotel & Spa makes a strong first impression with its classic Cambodian elegance. The hotel is hidden off of busy Sivatha Road, behind an Art Deco arch, which leads into a courtyard where a circular fountain is set with fish statues spouting water. Behind this, a sitting Buddha statue in a bed of plants leads to a pair of stone lions guarding the door, and finally into the lobby. The look inside is similarly grand. There are massive teak columns, lotus-inspired light fixtures, marble inlay floors, and a wide selection of low-slung contemporary and antique seating throughout the large space. Teak actually figures prominently throughout the lobby, from Apsara carvings to the incredible chairs that have been intricately designed. Buddhist figurines and statuettes play significant roles in the decor as well. Like many of the large hotels in Siem Reap, this one caters to tour groups, though families and couples all make their way here as well. 

Prince D’Angkor Hotel & Spa has an ideal central location right on busy Sivatha Road, the main street that runs through downtown Siem Reap. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops, and is within walking distance to almost everything in town, from Pub Street to the Old Market, to the riverside, all of which are five to 10 minutes away on foot. Lucky Plaza, the city’s only real mall and shopping center is just across the street, but the more vibrant night markets are only a 10-minute walk from the hotel as well. Angkor Wat is 15 minutes away by car, and the international airport is exactly the same distance. While Sivatha Road can be very busy, with lots of traffic throughout the day and evening, the hotel stays blessedly quiet.

There are 195 rooms to choose from at the Prince D'Angkor Hotel, almost all of which are entry level Superior or Deluxe Rooms, along with a few elegant Champei Rooms and suites. While the lower-category rooms do appear slightly worn and tired, with floors showing scuff marks and furniture that's obviously seen some use, they are still in decent shape. The look in Superior and Deluxe Rooms is modern, but not exactly contemporary, and each of the rooms has dark wood floors, two-poster beds, Khmer tapestries, dark wood furniture, and teak chairs with cushions. They also include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, electronic safes, and electric hot water kettles. The Deluxe and Superior Rooms are almost exactly the same, except for the fact that the Deluxe Rooms get a DVD player, as well as a small balcony that overlooks the pool. Upgraded Champei Rooms are far bigger and a bit more stylish, with four-poster beds and colored mosquito netting, massive 48-inch flat-screen TVs, and finely polished wood floors, plus bigger and nicer balconies that overlook the street. Bathrooms are spacious, though the green and white marble tiling is a bit dated. They include with bathrobes, scales, and both bathtubs and separate walk-in showers. 

Prince D'Angkor Hotel & Spa has plenty of facilities to keep guests occupied (should the area's Angkor Wat temples not be enough entertainment, that is). Outdoors, there's a large swimming pool set in the middle of a courtyard; it's long enough to swim some laps and there's also a hot tub. The pool has sun loungers all around it, and there's a rectangular kids' pool with a fountain. A small and clean fitness center has a sauna, steam room, and a couple of hot and cold plunge pools, all free for guests to use. The hotel has a decent spa and a French hair salon.The Blue Diamond Restaurant, just upstairs from the lobby, serves a free and substantial breakfast buffet for guests with lots of Asian options in particular. It's then open for lunch and dinner with a la carte menus that include both Khmer and Western dishes -- the signature dish here is the amok fish curry, steamed in a banana leaf. In the lobby, the Sapphire Piano Lounge has a happy hour and  live jazz in the evening, and serves afternoon tea, with homemade pastries as accompaniment. The hotel includes good function and conference facilities, with a variety of meeting rooms as well as a ballroom to handle weddings, business meetings, and other group events. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and guests get free airport pickups.