SURPRISING Siem Reap

For a trip that's both historical and relaxing, consider Cambodia's second-largest city. It's only a hop and a skip away 

- RENEE BATCHELOR

Done Bali and Bangkok to death? How about considering Siem Reap in Cambodia? One of the best things about travelling here is that the flight from Singapore rings in at two hours, and unlike other popular regional destinations, our journey from the airport took just 15 minutes. All in all the smooth transition from the bustling city of Singapore to the glorious gateway to Angkor Wat is definitely part of the charm of this escape, along with the town's sprawling historical sites and unique cuisine. The other part? Undoubtedly a stay at the legendary Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor. Our journey started with an airport pick-up in a sleek vintage Mercedes-Benz - the first sign that this was no ordinary hotel experience.

The Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor is in fact one of the most iconic heritage properties in all of Southeast Asia. Built 90 years ago in 1932, it was designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard (in a style that combined Khmer and Art Deco influences) and was originally conceived as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers seeking to explore the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat.

The hotel has housed distinguished guests through its many years of history, ranging from actor Charlie Chaplin to First Lady Jackie Kennedy to the late King Norodom Sihanouk. It underwent an extensive restoration in 2019, recently reopening its doors to tourists in mid-2022. However, its delightful historical touches remain - the original teak and wrought-iron cage elevator in the lobby is still there, as is the transportive checkered tile lobby and the iconic Elephant Bar.