Nestled in the heart of the French Quarter of Siem Reap, Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas is an ultra- luxurious hotel that boldly presents an environment to celebrate both ancient architecture and modern design. It’s a befitting hotel for the gateway city into the magnificent Angkor Wat, with its colonial structure and strong design motifs, softened by the Angkor-inspired decorative accents and tropical landscaping.
Within its courtyard layout that maximises the view of the pools and plants, interiors are dictated by lines and geometric designs, a signature motif used by American designer Bill Bensley, who has had a hotel design practice in Asia for over 30 years. The team at Savour BlackBookAsia Magazine has stayed at many of Bill Bensley designed properties over the past decade in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and more.
Shinta Mani could practically be a destination in itself, a sanctuary for rejuvenation when you use its full facilities of a swimming pool, spa, library, gallery and even a charity centre. Besides couples and families, the hotel can accommodate weddings and also meeting retreats of up to 30 persons. It’s just a step out into the French Quarter to enjoy Siem Reap’s city ambience, while the majestic temples of Angkor Wat are just a 15-minute drive away.
Accommodation
Shinta Mani Angkor offers a total of 39 rooms, available in five formats, ranging from the 38-44 square meter Bayon Room with balcony views over the swimming pool and gardens, to the 94 square meter Bayon Executive Suite with balcony views of the urban streetscape. The Angkor Deluxe room of 42-45 square meters can accommodate the family or couples who want extra living space.
The decor of all the rooms are Angkor-inspired, some with inlaid ceiling artwork showcasing the images of Angkor. Modern, chic touches such as bespoke soft furnishings in Khmer silk and cotton, and artwork that illustrate Khmer culture and history complete the luxe feel and look.
Highly recommended will be the Bensley Collection Pool Villas, stunning two story accommodation with a roomy terrace on the second floor overlooking the horizon. On the ground floor is your own private pool with a living space, ideal to enjoy delicious dishes from the room service menu. Walk pass the mini kitchenette with gourmet coffee, tea and other amenities into your bedroom with attached toilet. Travel further in and you will enter a separate designer washroom that has a gigantic walk-in wardrobe, twin vanity basins, standing rain shower and outdoor bathtub. Guests in this category will have a well trained butler attached, who will make your stay as memorable as possible.
Dining
The hotel’s signature Kroya restaurant serves the best of both international and traditional Khmer delicacies, with its wide selection of dishes in both a la carte and set course menus. It is helmed by Chef Chanrith, who worked with his way up at Shinta Mani Angkor And Bensley Collection Pool Villas, gained experience at the Marriott Hotels in the region, and returned to his hometown and Kroya where he now specialises in French fine and Italian food, besides traditional Khmer fare.
For guests who want a tasting flight of Khmer dishes, Kroya offers a menu highlighting local seasonal ingredients in updated recipes. The Battambang province pomelo salad is a juicy crunch, served together with seared king oyster mushroom scallops and crispy mushroom pops. The soups feature Tonle Sap butter-catfish with lemongrass paste, or a Pouk village Krek version with duck breast.
You can get all-day dining at the Baiton, either indoors and outside for the breezy outdoor semi al fresco area with its famed swing tables. Bensley’s Bar, on the second level, is named after the hotel’s designer, and features over 30 gins from all over the world. There are two pool bars by the Bayon pool and Angkor pool, serving Shinta Mani’s signature Ice Green Ginger cocktail, refreshing fruit smoothies and light snacks.
The hotel also offers cooking classes which includes a trip to the local market with a chef to choose ingredients, followed by a hands-on class making popular Cambodian dishes. Participants get to tuck into their own cooking afterwards, and also get awarded with a certificate of completion. If you are enjoying your Bensley Collection Pool Villas so much, why not order breakfast to be served in the comforts of your gorgeously designed abode.
Wellness/Spa
Shinta Mani’s Khmer Tonics Spa and Gym on top of the hotel features six unique treatment rooms besides a luxury spa suite. Products carry the COSMOS certification, with ingredients and product formulations that meet global criteria for sustainable and humane production of chemical free, natural and organic body and skincare products.
Treatments are based on traditional Khmer healing rituals such as the dry massage with gentle and firm finger pressure and restorative stretching techniques. The Shinta Mani signature uses a Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang and Bergamot blend in therapeutic deep tissue massage, a must- have after a long flight or day exploring the temples. Book a leg treatment with floral scrub just to enjoy the lush greenery in the balcony, and take sanctuary in the elegantly designed treatment rooms. This is a spa which makes you wish you didn’t have to leave the hotel, ever.
It brings the team at Savour BlackBookAsia Magazine, lead by Editor in Chief, Gabriel Tan great joy to announce that Shinta Mani Angkor And Bensley Collection Pool Villas has been crowned Number 1 In Siem Reap and also short-listed to be in the running for our 100 Best Hotels Hall of Fame: The Unadulterated List 2024. Stay tuned come year end, for the results during our annual travel awards.
ADDRESS:
Shinta Mani Angkor Junction of Oum Khun and 14th Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia
PHONE:
+855-63-964-123
EMAIL:
book@shintamani.com
WEBSITE:
http://shintamani.com/angkor/