· Open -

1932

· 1st Owner -

Societe des Grands-Hotels Indochinois

· AKA -

La Grande Dame of Angkor

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

The Sultan of Johore / Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard / Charles de Gaulle / Jacqueline Kennedy / Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden / Somerset Maugham / Bill and Hillary Clinton / Michelle Obama / Jose Carreras / Roger Moore

· History -

As Angkor Wat became famous and started attracting more  tourists it became apparent that the bungalows being used would need to be replaced by something much larger. This hotel was built on that site.

As this building survived the Khmer Rouge years it has become one of the country's historical buildings.

Raffles acquired the site in the 1990's and in 1996 launched a complete refurbishment which were finished in 1997.

· Signature -

1929 "Bird Cage" Wrought Iron and Teak Elevator

· Rooms -

119 Rooms, Suites and Villas @ $702 - $1,495

· Tales -

During the turbulent years after Lon Nol came to power in a  coup d'etat his senior military officials occupied the hotel. The country was falling to pieces (thanks mainly to Nixon and Kissenger) and by the time the Khmer Rouge marched into town there was not one guest at the hotel. Like the country the hotel was in a state of dispair.

The hotel staff like the rest of the people living in Siem Reap were given 5 days to leave the city. The Khmer Rouge soldiers were mainly unsophisticated teenagers from the countryside. Many of them had never seen flushing toilets. They used the furniture for firewood and drank a can of varnish thinking it was wine. They staggered out of the hotel and an hour later a dozen lay dead on the front lawn.

When Pol Pot took over the country the hotel was stripped of its furnishings and some of his cadres took up residence. When the Vietnamese came and kicked them out of power their forces moved in to the hotel.

Its former partner Hotel des Ruines that had stood in front of Angkor Wat since 1909 was bombed. Also bombed was the nearby Angkor Hotel recently built by Air France. It was fated never to open.

During the civil war some Buddhist Monks from a nearby temple hid a bell from the temple in the hotel's gardens for safe keeping. It was an important relic and they were fearful it would be stolen or worse. It survived the Khmer Rouge who weren't known for their respect of religious artefacts.

After all of these events the Pagoda Bell was recovered and gifted to the hotel for their support in the matter. It now hangs in pride of place between the old and new wings of the hotel. This treasured relic represents a link between the troubled past and an optimistic future.

· Claim to Fame -

The Largest swimming pool in Cambodia

· Innovations -

Elephant Taxis

Indoor plumbing and private bathrooms

Helicopter transfer from the airport including temple fly over

Coffee machines in the rooms

· Feature -

Private Terraces

Performance house and stages for cultural shows

15 acres of landscaped gardens

In house historian

· View -

Pool and garden views

· High Tea -

The Conservatory - Raffles Signature Afternoon Tea - also drinks and snacks - overlooking the pool and gardens

· Facilities -

Iconic Swimming Pool / Spa - Massage, Anti aging, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Steam rooms / Fitness Centre / Weddings / Airport shuttle / Cooking classes with market visit / Lotus flower folding class / Singapore Sling master class / Vespa tour to Angkor / Tuk Tuk shopping tour with butler / Visit local artists tour / Sugar Palm Club for kids / Babysitters / Tennis Court / Souvenir shop / Helipad

· Unique -

The Doormen wear a different coloured uniform each day of the week for good luck

24 Hour Butler service

· Restaurants - Menus on Website

1932 -

Signature Restaurant featuring Royal Khmer Cuisine. One of the best places in town to sample Khmer Cuisine.

Raffles Marquee - Elegant venue for weddings and gala dinners.

Cafe D'Angkor -

Champagne Breakfasts, Takeaway picnic baskets and freshly baked goods, Asian and Continental cuisine, Indoor / Outdoor dining

Poolside terrace -

Light meals, desserts and cocktails. Can have a romantic candlelit private meal by the pool.

Buffet and BBQ -

with Apsara dancing performance

Candle lit Dinner -

On your balcony

Temple Dinner -

Have your own private dinner at the entrance to Angkor Wat with traditional dancing

· Bars - Cocktails on Website

Elephant Bar - Signature cocktail Airavata. Drinks and snacks

· Sights -

Angkor Wat / Old Market / Pub Street / Angkor National Museum / Angkor Night Market / Cambodia Landmine Museum / 3 very good golf courses

· Extra -

See Khmer Verts in 'Golfing Nomads'