Intimate surroundings
A newly-opened hotel in Siem Reap serves authentic Khmer cuisine, writes David Bowden
SIEM Reap’s latest boutique hotel of just 56 rooms is the Sakmut Boutique Hotel (saa-mut) situated in a peaceful residential precinct halfway between the vibrant town centre and the international airport.
All the hotel rooms feature contemporary design and colours of the sea. Sakmut is a reference to the sea which is important in Cambodian life and dates back to the “churning of the sea” from the Hindu classic, the Ramayana.
THEFOODOFCAMBODIA
Khmer cuisine is an excellent reason for relaxing at Sakmutas guests can dine on authentic local dishes such as amok (spicy minced fish steamed in a banana leaf) as well as learn to cook several dishes with the hotel’s local chefs.
Guests can dine in the main Candi Restaurant or relax in the Upstairs @ Siem Reap Sky Lounge with its cool, open-air ambience and distant city views.
Khmer, Asian and Western cuisines are served in Candi Restaurant. The Lobby Lounge is a more casual dining outlet serving signature teas and coffees, baked-onthe-premises breads, cakes and pastries, tasty snacks and freshly-squeezed juices as well as cocktails and mocktails.
A healthy choice of low-calorie spa food and beverages has been prepared by the kitchen team for guests using the hotel’s Infinity Spa.
Upstairs @ Siem Reap Sky Lounge is an atmospheric space that is available for events and activities like romantic candle-lit dinners or private events and parties. The island bar specialises in serving chilled champagne and enticing cocktails and mocktails.
Other dining opportunities that can be organised outside the hotel include events in atmospheric locations at Angkor such as the lakeside setting of the Western Baray where guests can enjoy superb food, the majestic temples and an exhilarating elephant ride.
LEISURE AND RECREATION
Guests can relax in the saltwater swimming pool, work out in the gym or be pampered in the resort’s spa. Infinity Spa is luxuriously integrated into the natural surroundings and offers an extensive range of spa and beauty therapies.
The fullyequipped Fitness Centre is located above the Infinity Spa and features multi-station units, weights and computer-controlled cardiovascular treadmills and bikes.
Sakmut provides ready access to the famous temple site of Angkor. Tours can be arranged by the hotel with a private guide who offers excursions by car, van or local enclosed motorcycle.
Discover the hotel’s ‘Beyond SR’, the ultimate personal concierge to assist guests plan their visit to Angkor and around Siem Reap.
Such activities could include personalised excursions, golf, cooking classes and the services of professional guides.
Book other activities such as a sunset cruise on a kongkear boat from the South Gate to Angkor Thom, an ox-cart village tour, elephant rides, a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat, sunset visit to Bakheng Mountain, monk blessing ceremony or a private dinner at either the majestic Elephant Terrace or Kravann Temple.
Sakmut Boutique Hotel is ideally located just 10 minutes drive (6km) from Siem Reap International Airport.