A luxury boutique hotel with gorgeous rooms and a commitment to non-profit work - Shinta Mani Club is the perfect feel-good base to explore Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Siem Reap’s other cultural treasures
I’ll be honest with you. Months ago, Siem Reap would not have crossed my mind when thinking of luxurious holidays in the Southeast Asian region – I knew little about the province other than it being a gateway to Angkor Wat and its dark past under the Khmer Rouge regime. So when I was offered a chance to experience Siem Reap for the first time from the soothing cocoon of Shinta Mani Club, I naturally jumped at it.
As a creature of comfort, I like my Southeast Asian getaways (almost always at the same beach havens) to be effortless, sumptuous stays with relaxing spas, impeccable food and wow-worthy pools. And while I still nurse a soft spot for my (ehem) #firstworld priorities, I wanted a vacay that ticked all those boxes while being a tad more meaningful. Lucky for me, I hit the nail on its head with my stay at Shinta Mani Club. This is why I left my heart at this five star Siem Reap hotel…
Seamless service
The pampering began almost immediately upon my arrival in Siem Reap. After immigration, I was quickly whisked away by the hotel’s driver in a massive six-seater van, and greeted at the palatial reception by staff brandishing cold towels, drinks and genuine smiles. This gesture will be repeated with all your returns to the hotel; though small, its thoughtfulness is a godsend, particularly when you’re sweating up a storm thanks to Siem Reap’s scorching weather. You’ll see this top-notch service at every step of the way, from the room service staff’s fastidiousness to dedication in remembering your likes and dislikes. Staff personally delivered meticulously wrapped milk fruit (a seasonal fruit which only grows in Cambodia) to my room, when I briefly mentioned wanting to try it after seeing it at the Old Market. How’s that for five star service?
Dazzling design
If you’ve driven through Siem Reap’s main streets, it won’t escape you that most of the town’s local hotels sport similar traditional architecture. Conversely, Shinta Mani Club strays far from this archetype with its mod-Cambodian design. Designed by famed American architect Bill Bensley, the upscale hotel is a sleek homage to its hometown – think concrete hallways lined with symmetrical columns, stylish white brick walls lined with contemporary Khmer art and a primarily black-and-white palette, save for the occasional splash of orange as a respectful nod to Cambodia’s Buddhist monks’ robes.
The rooms are no runner ups either, with plush beddings, gorgeous rainshowers and luxury extras like coffee machines and iPod docks. My abode for the weekend was a Deluxe room, located in the new wing of the hotel with gorgeous views of the leafy courtyard and pool from the balcony. Nothing beats waking up to sunlight gently streaming through the palm leaves outside your window and through the cracks of your curtains.
Fab food and drinks
When I think of hotel breakfasts, what inevitably comes to mind are rowdy restaurants and cookie-cutter continental buffet breakfasts. Don’t expect this at Shinta Mani Club as dining at Kroya, the inhouse restaurant, is an elegant affair. While there is a spread of juices (and bubbly if you’re in need of a mimosa *wink*), fruits and pastries for you to pick from, you’re free to order whatever you want from a rather extensive menu of both Western and Khmer delights.
But don’t just do brekkie here – Kroya is open all day. Stretch out on the elegant swing-seats and order up an authentic Khmer feast. For evening cocktails, head upstairs to Bensley’s Bar, where you’ll enjoy tantalising tipples infused with Khmer produce. Try the Open Heart Cocktail, which features a tropicool infusion of passionfruit, mint leaves, Cuban rum and palm sugar.
Luxe amenities
Not much on your itinerary aside from temple and town exploring? It’s okay to stay in. Check into the spa for knot-banishing, traditional Khmer rubdowns, scrubs and facials or take a dip in the gorgeous saltwater pool. When you come up for air, order up a drink from the pool bar and relax on one of the many sleek lounge chairs dotting the area around the pool.
A heart of gold
Sure, the hotel is sumptuous in all kinds of ways – from its design to its service and accommodation – but it’s also got responsible tourism at its core. The famed Khmer hospitality that I came to love is all thanks to non-profit organisations like the Shinta Mani Foundation. Its School of Hospitality (located on hotel grounds) trains under-privileged young Cambodians in all areas of hotel operations for free, so they’ll find gainful employment in the future. The hotel also devotes itself to improving the lives of its community, through offering healthcare, directly assisting rural families, and building wells to give the disadvantaged access to clean water. While there are ways to get more directly involved with helping the organisation, the simplest act of booking a stay here goes a long way – a portion of your nightly room rate will be donated to Shinta Mani Foundation.
Shinta Mani Siem Reap, Junction of Oum Khun and 14th Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia, p. +855-63-761-998, e. [email protected].