A Somewhat Acerbic Guide To Siem Reap

Dont get us wrong, we love Siem Reap to bits but only when done right

- Terrie V. Gutierrez

This gem of a town in Cambodia’s cap remains in many people’s bucket lists and rightfully so. True, it has modernized over the years and is no longer the sleepy town it once was, but despite the hordes of tourists every year, the town has not managed to lose its charm.

What do you need to do to get the most out of your experience?

FIND A GREAT HOTEL

Have a great base from which to explore the town. We suggest staying somewhere not too close to town, which could get crowded and touristy, though of course, if you want to be in the middle of the action, that’s fine. Don’t say we didn’t warn you though.

We suggest booking at a hotel away from the crowds – like Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa. Not to say that the hotel is far off the beaten track, because it isn’t. The fabulously designed all-suite hotel is only about 10 minutes, give or take, from the international airport and about 20 minutes from Siem Reap’s most famous attraction – UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple complex. For those wanting a slice of the bustle of Siem Reap, the old town, art villages, and markets are just a tuk-tuk ride away. You don’t even have to hail a tuk-tuk – or remorkmotos, as the Cambodians call them – because Anantara has a dedicated tuk-tuk service that can take you to wherever you want to go for free. It’s part of the hotel’s personalised service.

The intimate property has a warm and private vibe that feels like you’re staying in your own villa. Done up like a grand Khmer villa, with well-designed and -appointed suites set around an open courtyard and a pool, the hotel exudes privacy and elegance, with local design elements balanced by modern art elements like the Henry Moore-esque giant sculpture of a mother and child by the pool.