Category: Exotic Asia

Following an extensive renovation that transformed Anantara Angkor Resort into a premier all-suite retreat, the 39-key boutique resort is delighted to unveil Siem Reap’s plushest presidential suites, the Henri Mouhot and Anantara Explorer Suites.

The two-bedroom, 235 square metre Henri Mouhot Suite pays tribute to the French naturalist and explorer who alerted the West to the ruins of Angkor, capital of the ancient Khmer civilisation of Cambodia, in 1860.  The suite accommodates up to six guests.

The one-bedroom Anantara Explorer Suite offers 178 square metres of living space inspired by another intrepid explorer, Jim Thompson, and founder of the world-renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company.  The suite accommodates up to three guests.

Meticulously designed to accommodate the requirements of the most discerning clientele, the two new suites are reminiscent of a Khmer summer home and are the epitome of richness and old world sophistication with imported Thai silk and fabrics overflowing throughout, draping the furniture in bold colours and lustrous appeal.

With ample indoor and outdoor living spaces to comfortably accommodate families or small groups, both suites feature a lounge and bar area complete with a wine humidor; two dining areas; marble bathrooms with double vanity, bathtub and oversized rain shower; dressing room; a private spa room with a Jacuzzi bathtub, deep plunge and massage area; and a plunge pool in an enclosed private garden.

For Thai designers Abacus Design the glamorised bygone era of exhilarating discovery by Western explorers of the largest religious monument in the world during the nineteenth century inspired both suites’ interiors, abiding by the award-winning designers’ objective to surprise and delight whilst providing convenient functions with the comfort of home.

In the Henri Mouhot Suite, a beautiful sandstone relief reflects the nearby ruins of Angkor amidst a colonial backdrop of tongue and groove ceilings, while wall panelling with a rectangular motive that is reminiscent of this distinctive feature in the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok separates the master bedroom and lounge in the Anantara Explorer Suite.

In both suites bold colours and luxurious silk and fabrics from the coveted Jim Thompson’s Leo De Janeiro collection unfold – from the ruby coloured abstract Pomare design on the wall coverings to give the spaces a cosy feel; to the intricate Chinese lacquer coloured Ming Ming decoration on the headboards that mirrors the regal, floral motifs that adorn traditional Asian ceramics for an oriental touch; and seat covers in pewter coloured bold Marquise cut velvet fabric for luxurious eye-catching beauty.

Each suite’s enclosed lush tropical garden complete with plunge pool, oversized double sun lounge bed and dining table offers a luxurious welcome respite after an adventurous day of exploring one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, whether savouring a decadent Champagne high tea or al fresco dining on progressive Khmer cuisine under the stars.

All guests at Anantara Angkor Resort enjoy complimentary chauffeured roundtrip airport transfers; foot ritual upon arrival; Experience Butler service to create bucket list adventures; unlimited private tuk-tuk transfers to and from city centre; personal mobile phone; complimentary in-suite bar; automatic coffee machine and tea making facilities; bottled water; daily fresh fruit, savouries and sweets; and complimentary drinks during the daily Lounge Hour in the resort’s traditional courtyard that evokes Angkor’s monumental heritage.  Guests residing in the Henri Mouhot and Anantara Explorer Suites additionally enjoy complimentary laundry service; in-suite spa treatments; and a daily hour-long treatment at Anantara Spa.

Rates for the Henri Mouhot and Anantara Explorer Suites are available on request.  For further information or to make a reservation contact +855 63 966 788 or angkor@anantara.com

Nestled serenely alongside the Siem Reap River in a verdant enclave is one of Siem Reap’s newest boutique hotels, the Jaya House River Park. Opened in December 2016, this petite lush haven is located about 20 minutes away from Siem Reap International Airport and a six-minute tuk-tuk journey from town in the direction of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor site.

With the Ecole Francasi Extreme Orient, the Enkosa Pagoda and the Angkor Conservation Authority in the neighbourhood, Jaya House River Park is shrouded in a definitive sense of heritage and culture.

‘Jaya’ is a shortened version of Jayavarman, the 9th-century king who unified the Khmer states into one empire. Designed by V-Design Asia based in Siem Reap, the Jaya House River Park is a modern, luxurious resort integrating Khmer culture and Western design. It’s slightly off the beaten track location ensures a tranquil retreat away from the bustling town yet still readily accessible with the complimentary use of the hotel’s fleet of tuk-tuks or two-wheeled carriages pulled by a motorbike from 4.30 am to 10 pm.

The Rooms

There are a total of 36 rooms in this luxury boutique hotel and each of them has either a balcony or direct garden & pool access. Accommodation is categorised according to Deluxe, Junior Suite and Junior Pool Suite.

Each 38sqm Deluxe Room is designed to provide a relaxing space with beautiful views of the pool or the tropical (hanging) gardens. A choice of either one king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds with comfortable pillow-top mattresses, premium bedding and linen awaits.

A selection of homegrown herbal teas, a Malongo Espresso Machine, Bluetooth connectivity, high-speed wireless internet and a well-stocked complimentary mini bar are for guests’ use. An additional connecting Deluxe Room provides the convenience of a two-bedroom layout for family stays.

In the spacious Junior Suites, a separate living area adds space and comfort.

Three of the Junior Suites also come with an outdoor shower while the charming Junior Pool Suites with a private plunge pool are perfect for those seeking their own space.

Pristine white prevails throughout the hotel providing a cool shade from the tropical heat. Contemporary artworks by Khmer artists adorn the interiors reflecting the hotel’s commitment to supporting the local community.

Dining

The all-day dining restaurant serves a wide breakfast buffet with sparkling wine, lunch and dinner with a fine balance of Khmer and western dishes.

It seats 40 persons and features six romantic hanging swing seats. Room service is also available. Room service is also available.

On the top level, a trendy Sky Bar, overlooking the River marks the idyllic spot to shoot the breeze with attractive Happy Hours in the evening.

The Spa

The Spa at Jaya House River Park is a hidden gem with a selected list of treatments helmed by well- trained therapists.

Gorgeous Pools

Two swimming pools – 20m x 5.5m and 12m x 3.5m – ensure a pleasant respite for guests after a day of temple traipsing.

The larger one stands in a garden filled with mango trees, banana trees, marum trees, eucalyptus trees and various sugar palm trees amongst others.

Siem Reap Attractions

No visit to Siem Reap is complete without a visit to its famous temple ruins and rustic attractions. Guests have a choice of three tours ranging from one day to three days encompassing the must-visit Angkor temples, fishing villages, Tonle Sap Lake, Khmer cooking classes and quaint rural villages.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Behind the cool stylish veneer of Jaya House River Park lies a warm and compassionate heart – a strong responsibility towards the Siem Reap community, the Khmer art, culture & music world, its people and the environment. Under the leadership of Managing Director Christian De Boer, the hotel has undertaken several initiatives.

“We may be a small hotel but our commitment to Siem Reap remains hugely entrenched in the community. We take our role seriously in advancing the livelihood and interests of the people who have suffered heavily under the turbulent Khmer regime. As such, we are also encouraging our guests to join us in our efforts through the projects that we support,” comments Christian De Boer.

Refill Not Landfill

It is one of over 40 supporters of the Refill NOT Landfill campaign whose ultimate goal is to substantially reduce the amount of plastic waste produced in the Kingdom by providing reusable aluminium bottles for tourists to consume water from designated water refill stations in the town. At the foot of the most visited Siem Reap attraction, Angkor Wat, this informal consortium has come together to replace one-use-only plastic water bottles with reusable aluminium bottles. All guests at Jaya House River Park are given an aluminium bottle each upon check-in.

Made-in-Cambodia Market

Started by Mr De Boer, the Market brings over 50 local artisans and designers together to showcase their products. From alcoholic spirits and jewellery to fabrics and accessories, products are vetted by a committee before being given permission. Together with live entertainment, artist workshops and cafes/bars, the Market offers a convivial, festive atmosphere for visitors, besides providing opportunities for young Cambodians to show off their artistic talents and make a living.

Ten Thousand Trees

This is a joint initiative together with Green Gecko Project, Little Red Fox Espresso, KhmerLOVESKhmer and Life Project Cambodia to develop 10,000 marum trees, also known as moringa trees. Considered a ‘miracle tree’, the marum tree is packed with valuable health benefits, an important source of nutrients, especially for low-income villagers. All trees are to be donated free-of-charge but a commitment is required to maintain the saplings and ensure its proper growth. Financed by crowdfunding sum of USD10,000, the project goal is to grow 10,000 trees by 2017.

Supported NGOS

In addition, Jaya House River Park also contributes financially with a percentage of each room revenue to the following:

Small Art School – Founded by Japanese art teacher, Tomoko Kasahara, the Small Art School provides free art education to underprivileged children. Since its founding nine years ago, some 400 children have passed through its doors.

Cambodian Landmine Museum – Founded by CNN hero, Aki Ra, a veteran soldier, who worked for the United Nations clearing landmines, he embarked on his own mission of clearing landmines with homemade tools and his bare hands. From 1997-2007, he cleared perhaps 50,000 mines and unexploded weapons. Some of these items – all safe – are exhibited at the museum, which tells the story of landmines in Cambodia and around the world through Aki Ra. The museum also houses a Children’s Relief Centre, which is home to over two dozen at-risk children.

Green Gecko Project – Founded in 2005, the Project provides support and opportunities to Siem Reap’s street kids and their families through long-term health, education and social enterprise initiatives as a means to break the cycle of begging, poverty and abuse.

Siem Reap’s Music Art School – Set up in September 2013 as a place for the locals to foster their personal growth by developing their artistic skills in art and music.

For more information and room reservations, visit www.jayahouseriverpark.com

Volunteering in Cambodia can be an incredible way to truly explore and experience such a majestic destination. Why volunteer in Cambodia? Aside from the untouched beaches and the iconic temples, the country has a painful past. Cambodians are still rebuilding their country and bringing their culture back to life. Over the years, many nonprofits have been working hard to help local communities form sustainable ways for income, growth, education and more. Such nonprofits could benefit from the help of skilled volunteers who are looking to offer their time and knowledge while travelling abroad.

Over the past couple of years,  my direct work with Cambodian nonprofits and volunteers seeking to assist them has helped me understand that unfortunately not all volunteer nonprofit partnerships are successful, and that are many aspects that must be considered in order to make the time with the nonprofit meaningful, responsible, and sustainable.

One key conversation that constantly comes up is the preparation period. Many of the nonprofits I have communicated with have shared with me that an especially prepared volunteer often means their time with the nonprofit is more effective since there are fewer surprises and issues to resolve upon arrival. Travellers as well have echoed similar sentiments in explaining that knowing what to expect and being prepared for their time abroad allowed them to hit the ground running and focus on the goals and projects they came to assist.

This is exactly why I have put together a list of the top 9 tips travellers to Cambodia should consider in preparing for their volunteering trip abroad.

1. Learn Key Phrases from the Local Language

In many of the more urban areas of Cambodia, you’ll be able to get by speaking English. Once you leave the cities to volunteer in more rural locations, you’ll need to know some of Khmer, the local language, if you want to communicate. When travelling to new places, it’s always a good idea to memorise a few key phrases so you can ask for directions, buy necessities, and show locals that you’re making an effort to respect their culture. It is a good idea to learn some words and phrases, along with writing them down with their phonetic pronunciation in a notepad to carry around with you.

2. Choose an Organization to Volunteer with and Communicate with Them in Advance

There are many nonprofits working throughout Cambodia, and every nonprofit work in a specific field, has a set of goals, and different projects they want to implement. It’s important to take your time as you research organisations and choose one where your personal skills and interests can truly come in handy. It is also important to communicate directly with the nonprofit, ask as many questions as you need, and make sure you understand exactly the work you’ll be doing.

3. Time Your Trip Well

Cambodia has a tropical climate, without four seasons. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be facing high temperatures. April, May, and June are the hottest months of the year, so if you’ll be volunteering outdoors, you may want to go before or after that time. When planning your trip, keep monsoon season in mind as well. From December to April, Cambodia experiences its rainy season, with slightly cooler temperatures and a lot of rain. January and February tend to be drier.

Be sure to pack clothing made of breathable fabrics and keep the country’s modest values in mind when choosing what you’ll wear on hot days. I also suggest thinking about the schedule of holidays and festivals in the country. Khmer New Year is a three-day festival in mid-April, the Water Festival takes place in early November, and Pchum Ben is a 15-day celebration from the end of September until mid-October.

4. Know the Culture

When you travel to volunteer, you’ll be spending a lot of time communicating with locals. It’s important to know about the culture and to show respect while visiting the country. Modesty in Cambodia is very important, especially in more rural areas and at religious sites like the temples. You’re expected to be covered up, including shoulders and legs. In some locations, you’ll be asked to leave if you aren’t dressed appropriately. Monks are seen as very important symbols in Cambodia and should not be touched, or interrupted while praying. Additionally, it is considered impolite to use your left hand when interacting and that you should never touch another person on the head, which is considered the holiest part of a person.

5. Get Your Paperwork in Order

Make sure you have your paperwork, including documents and visas, in order before heading off. You’ll need both a passport and a visa to visit Cambodia. Your passport should be obtained before leaving the country and should be valid for at least six months after you plan to return, as advised by the government. Most people travelling to Cambodia can purchase a one month visa at the airport upon arrival. If you plan to stay longer, you can have your visa extended at the Immigration Department in the country.

6. Steer Clear of Cambodian Orphanages

It is extremely unfortunate to learn that many orphanages worldwide are in reality a front for a money-making scheme, and Cambodian orphanages are no different. Though of course there are some that are entirely legitimate, studies show that over the past five years there has been a 75% increase in the number of orphanages in Cambodia, which in no way correlates with the number of actual orphans. Such orphanages are run like a business, with managers luring in well-intentioned volunteers and pocketing their generous donations to themselves. In order to make sure your time is spent with a responsible organisation, look for projects which promote community-based solutions for children within their community.

7. Avoid Elephant Sanctuaries

Just like fraudulent orphanages, those running elephant sanctuaries are more often than not using the cute factor to lure in tourists with money. Many sanctuaries keep elephants in unsafe environments until they’re paraded throughout town where tourists can pay to take a ride and have their photo taken. Elephant sanctuary owners use an abusive method called phajaan, or crush, to train the animals by essentially crushing their spirits and keeping them isolated for long periods of time. Clearly, the health of the elephants isn’t a top concern, so the animals are often sick and weak. If you’re interested in animals, there are organizations that provide opportunities for animal volunteering in Cambodia.

8. Understand your Role as a Volunteer with the Organization

If you choose a reputable organisation, you’ll be able to gather plenty of information about what you’ll be doing while volunteering in Cambodia. Getting in touch with the organisation directly is the best way to prepare for your trip. Ask about what activities you’ll be participating in day to day, what challenges you should expect, and what the goals of the volunteer program are. By gathering this information, you’ll be able to prepare yourself for the trip, set your own goals, decide what to bring along, and make the most of your time spent in Cambodia.

9. Plan Your Trip Outside of Volunteering

While you’ll be going on your trip with a plan to volunteer, you’ll have time to explore more of the country, and you should! Cambodia is an incredible country with so much to offer. Plan to tour some of the historic sites with a local guide to show you around. Eat at local restaurants and try as many different dishes as you can. You might even consider a homestay, living with a local family overnight to experience life as a local. Such opportunities are a wonderful way to further explore the country in with a responsible and ethical mindset while making sure your money goes back to the local community, where it is most needed.

Travelling and Volunteering responsibly means that you’ll need to put some extra time and effort into your travel planning. You’ll need to decide how to use your time effectively, where your energy and resources should go, and how you can immerse yourself fully in the culture. However, all the time spent planning and preparing will be worth it when you arrive ready to go and make a difference.

Do you have any more tips from your travels to Cambodia? Share them below!