Behind a long white wall in Siem Reap, a former royal guesthouse keeps its distance from the street. Amansara, an angkor temples hotel, was built to host guests of King Norodom Sihanouk. Today it is one of the most discreet hotels in Cambodia, and its quiet is the main draw.
The city around it is busy, with horns and motorbikes on the main roads. The hotel moves at a slower pace. Most guests of this angkor temples hotel come for the ancient temples, then return to rest in its shaded courtyards.
A royal guesthouse with many names
French architect Laurent Mondet was commissioned to design the property in 1962, according to one source. Another source gives 1963 as the year it opened as Villa Princière. Either way, it was one of two state guesthouses built for the prince.
The name changed several times. It became Villa Sokha in the 1970s and Villa Apsara in the 1980s. The buildings were damaged by war and then abandoned in the 1990s. When Aman arrived in 2002, little remained but a shell.
The restoration relied on old photographs. Kerry Hill Architects led the work, which brought back the look of the 1960s.
Restoring a mid-century modernist house without erasing its character is a challenge seen elsewhere too. Restored 1958 Jean Prouvé modernist home on Riviera shows how an old-photo-led revival can welcome guests again.
An angkor temples hotel close to the temples and the city
This angkor temples hotel sits on the main road toward Angkor. The temples are about ten minutes away by car.
Many guests plan an early start for a short circuit of the angkor temples. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece. Bayon, with its large carved faces, and Ta Prohm, where giant tree roots wind through the ruins, are the usual additions.
Downtown Siem Reap is a short walk or a remorque ride away. The bright lights of the night market stir up street food and cold bottles of beer. Kandal Village and the Made in Cambodia Market suit daytime shopping, with lacquerware, silk scarves and silverware.
The hotel’s boats head to the floating village of Chong Kneas on Tonlé Sap. The lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Guests can see daily life on the water up close.
A modern design for its time
Mondet’s buildings were single-storey and made of white cement, with stone accents. Two pools sat at the center of the grounds. A circular dining room stood in one corner, and long columned corridors caught the breeze.
The property belongs to the New Khmer architecture movement of the 1960s. That style moved away from French colonial design. It favored curved forms, layered concrete and open-air spaces. The current scheme keeps that structure, with earthy browns, white walls and black accents.
The main changes are small. Armchairs in the restaurant have given way to wide banquettes. Otherwise, the building’s minimalist shapes and worn finishes are close to their original form.
Rooms and suites
All 24 suites at this angkor temples hotel follow a monochrome scheme with touches of orange. The orange is a nod to the saffron robes of Buddhist monks.
The recent update added five suites with private pools. The collection now includes a Junior Pool Suite and a Two-Bedroom Family Pool Suite. One source gives the plunge pool in a Pool Suite as 322 square feet.
Meals, drinks and the old dining room
The menu mixes international dishes with Khmer staples. Breakfast arrives on an A3 printout of traditional Khmer dishes, alongside avocado toast and chia pudding. Bor Bor Bangkear, a rice porridge with bean sprouts, spring onion and stir-fried prawns, is a good first choice.
Cambodian gin is served with a tumbler of tonic. Guests can take a table by the pool for a drink before or after dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the new bar alongside retro photographs.
A new bar occupies the room that once served as a private dining space for King Sihanouk and the royal family, from 1962 to 1965. Dinner includes Khmer salads, such as pomelo with prawns, and Cambodian beef lok lak with a fried egg. Western dishes, including carbonara and pizza, are also on the menu.
Spa, wellness and the gym
The spa has four treatment rooms and a yoga studio. Its therapies combine Khmer healing traditions with Aman’s own organic blends. The latest refresh added hot and cold plunge pools and a sauna, the first hydrotherapy facilities at the property.
Historic bathing and wellness spaces raise similar questions about respecting the original fabric while updating it. 1983 Fukushima bathhouse revitalized with curved design offers a useful comparison for anyone interested in adaptive reuse.
The gym is small but equipped with Technogym machines. Personal trainers can be booked with 24 hours’ notice.
The verdict
Siem Reap is best known for its temples, but it is also a working city with its own character. As an angkor temples hotel, Amansara makes the most of its history without turning it into a theme. It suits guests who want a few days of rest between temple visits and market trips. Its quiet courtyards and cool suites are the reward at the end of a long day.
Source: wallpaper.com
Frequently asked questions
How far is Amansara from the Angkor temples in Siem Reap?
Amansara sits on the main road toward Angkor, and the temples are about ten minutes away by car. Many guests plan an early start to visit the temples.
Who restored the former royal guesthouse that became Amansara?
Kerry Hill Architects led the restoration, which relied on old photographs to bring back the look of the 1960s. When Aman arrived in 2002, little remained of the buildings but a shell.
Why do the Amansara suites use orange accents?
All 24 suites follow a monochrome scheme with touches of orange. The orange is a nod to the saffron robes of Buddhist monks.
What hydrotherapy facilities were added to the Amansara spa?
The latest refresh added hot and cold plunge pools and a sauna. These are the first hydrotherapy facilities at the property.
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