CAMBODIAN OPULENCE
It’s dawn, and we’re walking toward the grand ruins of Angkor Archaeological Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the sun rises across the lake, the sheer magnificence of this 500-acre site reveals itself.
It’s one of the largest religious monuments in the world and represents the architectural pinnacle of the Khmer Empire. Anantara Angkor Resort’s resident temple guru Tong Hann is guiding us through the hidden treasures and cultural gems of the temples, which are the perfect fusion of creative ambition and spiritual devotion. Hann, who was once a monk, has intimate knowledge as he points out the detail and intricacy of the most famous of the temples, Angkor Wat.
It’s an incredible, once-in-alifetime experience but as the morning progresses, so do the crowds and the heat. It’s nice to know that nearby there’s a sanctuary to stay in when visiting this ancient kingdom of Siem Reap.
A cooling swim, after a welcoming foot ritual at the Anantara Angkor, is just the beginning of what awaits at this resort. All of the 39 suites have recently been renovated, some with private gardens, others with large balconies – perfect for dining under the stars.
Guests can enjoy the services of their own private butler, to help personalise their holiday by booking in whatever activity they desire, from kayaking, to jungle exploration. For those who need more space, there are two presidential suites, both featuring a lounge and bar area – complete with a wine humidor, two dining areas, marble bathrooms, a dressing room, a private spa room with a jacuzzi bath tub, and a plunge pool. Heavenly!
The resort has every service you could ever need while on holiday, including unlimited private tuk tuk transfers to and from the city centre (especially handy when dining at Pub Street), a personal mobile phone, a complimentary in-suite bar (very important!), a coffee machine (also mandatory!), bottled water, daily fresh fruit, savouries and sweets, and complimentary drinks during the daily lounge hour in the resort’s traditional courtyard. The hotel’s Chi Restaurant and Bar offers modern Khmer cuisine, with herbs and spices plucked from the resort’s kitchen garden. The design of the restaurant is incredible, with brass chandeliers depicting the umbrellas in Khmer Buddhism.
One way to really enjoy the flavours of Khmer cuisine is to book in for a cooking class at Anantara’s
signature cooking school – Spice Spoons. In our class, we were led on a culinary journey by Chef Kien Wagner, who imparts Khmer cooking techniques that have been passed on for generations.
It begins with a visit to the local market and ends with us eating our dishes for lunch.
And of course, a massage treatment here is a must. Try the 90-minute traditional Khmer massage. Originally formulated for monks, who underwent long periods of meditation and repose, this treatment really works on vigorously stretching out those stiff muscles.
Further afield, there’s activities galore including a quad bike excursion where you are taken on a thrilling four-wheeled journey around the Cambodian countryside. It’s a gentle, and extremely fun 21km ride that takes in rice paddies, traditional villages and the Wat Athvea pagoda. Another great trip is the Streetwise Guru Experience –where you get to explore Siem Reap’s French colonial quarter and shop for antiques, jewellery and ceramics.
It’s all an experience that really takes in the Khmer culture, from 12th Century history, to nature, to artworks and design.
And I know I can be transported back on a culinary journey every time I cook up my newly-mastered Khmer cuisine at home. A nice reminder of Siem Reap until I return.