Shinta Mani Angkor

The Shinta Mani Club is one of the most cutting-edge properties in Cambodia. The resort was designed by renowned architect/designer Bill Bensley, and his chic and novel signature look is all over the hotel. One enters through a narrow door, which almost looks like the start of a maze. Black and white colors, fine lines, and rectangles dominate the scene here, with the small lobby area focused on minimalist decor -- there's a shelf of fine Chinese porcelain vases, along with white door frames that lead to further framed rooms, creating the feeling of slight illusion. Throughout the property guests can find unique art pieces such as lamps surrounded by sets of sculptured hands reaching out to the sky, as well as beautiful black-and-white etchings of Angkor Wat scenes that are placed on the ceiling.

The restaurant is downstairs by the lobby, with the bar above it, and both continue the cutting-edge trend. The restaurant has tables that are suspended by ropes, so the table and seating swings, and overlooks a lotus pond. Upstairs, the bar has cushioned seats that jut out over the railing, hanging themselves above the swinging tables below. Boutique hotel aficionados and design lovers will absolutely love this place, and photographers will marvel over the exquisite nooks and crannies.

The Shinta Mani Club has a perfect central location, set down a quiet street just off of the center of Siem Reap. One can walk to the tourist popular Pub Street and Old Market area in 10 minutes from here, and the temples of Angkor Wat and the international airport are just a 15-minute drive away. The sister Shinta Mani Resort is right across the street, and there is also a weekend Cambodian handicrafts market held here. It's a block away from the Siem Reap River, where upscale dining spots like the Foreign Correspondents' Club and Cheaney Tree can be found. There are hundreds of restaurants, bars, and shops within 10 minutes on foot from the hotel.

The Shinta Mani Club has 39 elegant rooms. All feature flat-screen TVs with 80 satellite channels, DVD players, sound bars, iPod dock, safes, electric hot water kettles, and free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Rooms have minimalist decor with black-and-white colors, and include handcrafted lamps, black-and-white Angkor Wat temple etchings on the ceilings above the beds, and a choice of king or twin beds with fine linens. The entry-level Superior Rooms don't have balconies, but they do have large windows, while the higher-category Superior Poolside Rooms have direct access out to the pool, with sets of chairs for sitting outside. The even snazzier Deluxe Rooms come with Illy coffee machines, plus minibars stocked with free beer, soft drinks, and juice, and they have large balconies with dinner tables and views of the surrounding area. All rooms feature terrazzo bathrooms with rainfall showers and Shinta Mani toiletries.

The Shinta Mani Club is home to the upscale Kroya Restaurant, which serves free sumptuous breakfast buffets plus fine Khmer and western cuisine for lunch and dinner. The highlight of the restaurant are its hanging tables, in which the tables and seating are suspended by ropes and swing while you sit. Upstairs there is the Bill Bensley Bar, named after the hotel's designer, and it features sofas that hang over the railing, looking down at the restaurant, plus plenty of eye-catching design and paintings. There is also an artsy Pool Bar next to the small swimming pool (which unfortunately doesn't get much sun -- but guests can use the large and sunny pool at the sister Shinta Mani Resort across the street), filled with books, beanbag cushions, and sculptures. Shinta Mani Club also has a spa, as well as a movie theater, where guests can watch a large selection of DVDs on a big screen TV, plus peruse a selection of books. The hotel also has a small meeting room should visitors be in town for functions or meetings.