Park Hyatt Siem Reap, CambodiaWe had long wanted to stay in Siem Reap and actually booked a trip in 2012. Then, Hyatt announced that there would soon be a Park Hyatt in this famous Cambodian town, so we decided to postpone our trip in order to stay in our favourite hotel brand. For those of you who haven't heard of Siem Reap, it is the closest city to the beautiful temples of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often described as the 8th wonder of the ancient world.
We arrived at the hotel shortly before midday, were shown to the Living Room and offered a drink whilst the check-in formalities took place. Unfortunately, our room wasn't ready straight away, but we were glad we waited as we were upgraded to a Park Suite (we booked a Park King a couple of days beforehand). This review is based on five stays from 2013 - July 2015. On the first two occasions we received a Park Suite, although on the second stay we had booked through Virtuoso, which often increases your chance of an upgrade. Our first impression of the hotel was very positive - it is very central and the hotel is beautiful, especially the peaceful inner courtyard with the old banyan tree surrounded by a shallow pond. There are now traditional Apsara dance performances three times each week in this courtyard at dinner time. It is tasteful for those of you who groan at packaged culture. Park Deluxe KingThe next room we viewed was the Park Deluxe King, which is basically a Junior Suite. One thing to note is that the rooms in the hotel are separated into View or standard rooms. The View rooms look into the inner courtyard and the standard rooms into the street, so have a think about which you prefer before arriving. Street-life in Siem Reap can be noisy.
As the best room below a suite, the Park Deluxe rooms are the standard upgrade for Hyatt Gold Passport diamond members. At 54 square metres, this provides a lot of space and the high ceilings in the room we viewed (3rd floor) highlighted this. A huge flatscreen TV in the centre of the room can turn 180 degrees to either face the bed or the large seating area. The bathroom was again very good, providing a very deep soaking bath with TV and there was plenty of wardrobe space. Although we were very grateful to receive a suite, the Deluxe Rooms are perfectly suited for a couple spending a few nights here. Park Executive SuiteOk. So you've been out all day, modestly dressed and taking an intelligent interest in the amazing temples of Angkor Park. The temperature was 36 C, the humidity almost enough to steam rice. What do you want most? For us, it's a private plunge pool in which to cool down.
That's what you get with the Park Executive Suite. There are three of them alongside the lower of the hotel's two pools (the one seldom used by guests in our experience). There is also a two bedroom suite with private pool. Internally they are decorated and furnished to the same standard as the Park Suite King, which is to say they are very luxurious and tasteful. You enter via a locking door into the courtyard with the pool and patio with two loungers. The master light switch and DND sign are at this first entry door. Then through a further lockable glass door you find the lounge which is separated from the bedroom by sliding wood panelled doors. The bathroom is further on behind the bedroom. The bathrooms are large and we haven't posted pictures because they are essentially the same as in the Park Suite. DiningThe hotel offers a number of F&B outlets as well as room service. The Glasshouse Deli entices outside guests into the hotel with its freshly baked bread ($1/loaf in the morning) and Western favourites, such as ice-cream, pizza, sandwiches and salads. The Living Room, a beautiful dark pink space offering a real residential feel, is perfect for a cocktail or afternoon tea. Breakfast in the Dining Room (complimentary for diamond guests or those booking through Virtuoso) was wonderful. A continental buffet (breads, fresh fruit, meats, fish, cereals etc) was laid out as a buffet with hot options available to order. Our favourite was the rice noodle soup, either with chicken or Cambodian style with fish and coconut. Naturally, plenty of hot Western options were also available.
On our final night, we ate in the Dining Room, which is headed by a German chef but offers either Western (French) or Cambodian food, although not fusion (executive chef Martin Robl bridles at the mention of the concept). Mr Pisith's knowledge and skill with Cambodian cuisine is wonderful. The food was excellent (we ate local - Fish amok, Mekong prawns, green mango salad with chicken, stir-fried vegetables), although we did feel that a la carte prices were on the high-side compared to local competition. The surroundings however are sumptuous by any standards and extraordinary for this destination. ActivitiesNaturally, if you visit Siem Reap for the first time you are going to want to explore some temples. Whilst we used a guide for 1 day, we didn't feel that this really added to our experience, so we wouldn't recommend it. Our favourite tuk-tuk driver was Mr Ny (from the Hyatt), who was very careful and took us to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the older, less visited Roluos Group. With a driver, we also visited Angkor Wat for sunrise (stunning but very busy), Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei.
However, there are plenty of other attractions to this small Cambodian city. Near Bantreay Srei is the butterfly centre, a wonderful outdoor enclosure housing hundreds, if not thousands of butterflies. An interesting tour with one of the resident guides shows you developing pupae and explains their breeding program. In the city itself, the Phare Circus is a must visit. This show encompasses a simple story, acrobatics and acting and also helps support the community - money raised provides education and circus training for local children. We were blown away by the quality of the food in Siem Reap, especially at two independent restaurants - Touich and Cuisine Wat Damnak. Both provided superb value for money and truly excellent food. |
Park TwinAlthough we received a Park Suite on both of our stays, we asked to view a few other room types, particularly as there were few photos online at the time of our stay. First up was the standard Park room, which made good use of its size (35 square metres) with a small seating area in the corner and large bathroom. Decor in all room types is similar, with great use of mixed materials - wood, metal, leather, marble and fabric.
For us, the bathroom is usually the most important part of the suite and this one did not disappoint. Twin sinks, a large shower and soaking tub, all stocked with June Jacobs goodies. Sliding doors enable you to sit in the bath and watch TV in the bedroom, or when closed offer complete privacy. The bedroom facilities include a Nespresso coffee machine and minibar. However, we did feel that the offerings in the minibar were a bit uninspiring and not high end. When there are so many great chocolates out there, why choose Kit-Kat? Park Suite KingNow, to the beautiful Park Suites. Although these suites are not huge (at 71 square metres), they utilise space well and we found that the room felt larger than it was. The bedroom and bathroom were similar to the Deluxe room, but a separate living room, small kitchen and guest cloakroom made the suite feel much bigger. There are many standard suites in Hyatt hotels without the powder room, which we feel is absolutely necessary if entertaining. Although our rooms faced the street (first stay on the 2nd floor, second stay on the 1st floor), we had no problems with noise, although we could hear the street from around 8 am each day (this added to our experience).
Each room has a fresh fruit bowl, which is refreshed daily. Our one disappointment was the diamond amenity, which was a large portion of longan (which were already on the fruit plate), a bottle of Evian, some vegetable crisps and sweet biscuits. We love fruit, but feel that a more suitable amenity may be a cut fresh fruit platter and a local drink. Presidential SuiteWhilst we would be unlikely to book the Presidential Suite for a stay, we wanted to see the largest room (248 square metres) in the hotel, partly because we had heard it would be the perfect place for a cocktail reception.
Entry to the suite was through double doors and up a stair case. On entering, there was a twin bedroom to the left hand side (great for kids) with its own bathroom. A large astroturfed terrace area with dining table (BBQ anyone?) provided a sunny space leading to the spacious lounge, which offers plenty of seating. An internal pathway also leads past a powder room and galley kitchen to the very generous living area. Carrying on through a second roof terrace, the Master Bedroom feels private and offers a huge bathroom with jacuzzi for 2. A third terrace, accessible only from the Master Bedroom, offers an outdoor shower. We felt that the suite was missing a swimming pool. However, it seems that we just missed it, as the website lists a private garden and 27 square metre plunge pool. Spa & Leisure FacilitiesThe Park Hyatt Siem Reap is a wonderful place to relax, even without taking the facilities into account. Although not available during our first stay, a small lap pool on the ground floor opened at Christmas 2013, providing an alternative to the stunning free-form infinity pool on the 1st floor. On arriving at the pool, we were delighted to be served iced water and fresh fruit skewers immediately. The pool was often empty during our stay, so was the perfect retreat after exploring the temples during the morning and early afternoon.
The gym is equipped with brand new Technogym cardio equipment and a few free weights (although unfortunately no rowing machine). We were very impressed that a minute after starting our workout, a member of the spa team quietly entered the room to light an oil burner, lightly perfuming the room. Room temperature and chilled water and towels were available - I love a cold fragrant towel after a long run! After seeing a spa promotion (30 minute facial and 30 minute foot massage for $49), we relaxed there one afternoon. The treatments were very relaxing and the spa is beautiful. We were greeted with a refreshing drink and cold towel, before starting the treatment with a warm foot bath. However, I am not the greatest fan of Pevonia products and the facial would be better if there was a spa towel warmer, rather than using cotton wool pads to remove the products. |
Overall Impression
Angkor Wat is on most people's bucket list and is definitely somewhere you should see at least once. There are also many other attractions in the locale and we will definitely keep returning to Siem Reap. The Park Hyatt Siem Reap is the obvious place to stay in the city and our recommendation. Amansara is a beautiful hotel but is at a different (higher) price point (although a suitable alternative to the Park Executive suites). Other chain hotels are located some way out of the city and no other hotel had been recently renovated when we last visited - we look forward to trying the Anantara on our next stay. We also stayed in the One Hotel in the city centre, as a contrast to the Park Hyatt, but would not recommend staying there if you are looking for a luxury hotel.
The hotel is beautiful and, although it is situated in the city, one you are inside, it is a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle. The rooms make good use of space and the leisure facilities are stunning. Food was of extremely high quality and service was mostly excellent. Personally, we would rather check-in directly at a desk and get to a room as soon as possible, rather than sit with a drink in the lounge. However, many leisure guests would love the relaxed check-in currently offered. On our first visit we felt that the service was a little unpolished, perhaps that staff lacked confidence and language skills. However, at the time of this review, two years after opening as a Hyatt, the GM Sholto Smith and his team have worked wonders, service standards are now consistently high and retain the natural warmth of the Cambodian people. We are utterly addicted to this hotel and have visited three times this year alone.
In 2014, we stayed at the hotel with a small group of twelve people. The hotel provided a wonderful candle-lit cocktail reception in the pool suite and dinner for us all on the last night. This was a truly special event and one we believe all attendees will remember for years to come. If you are seeking a venue in Cambodia for a wedding, gathering of friends or romantic break, the Park Hyatt is the perfect location.
We look forward to returning to the Park Hyatt Siem Reap many times and whole-heartedly recommend the hotel. Booking through Virtuoso provides you with complimentary breakfast, a room upgrade and dinner for 2. Thus, if you are not a diamond member, we would definitely recommend booking at least one night through a Virtuoso agent.
The hotel is beautiful and, although it is situated in the city, one you are inside, it is a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle. The rooms make good use of space and the leisure facilities are stunning. Food was of extremely high quality and service was mostly excellent. Personally, we would rather check-in directly at a desk and get to a room as soon as possible, rather than sit with a drink in the lounge. However, many leisure guests would love the relaxed check-in currently offered. On our first visit we felt that the service was a little unpolished, perhaps that staff lacked confidence and language skills. However, at the time of this review, two years after opening as a Hyatt, the GM Sholto Smith and his team have worked wonders, service standards are now consistently high and retain the natural warmth of the Cambodian people. We are utterly addicted to this hotel and have visited three times this year alone.
In 2014, we stayed at the hotel with a small group of twelve people. The hotel provided a wonderful candle-lit cocktail reception in the pool suite and dinner for us all on the last night. This was a truly special event and one we believe all attendees will remember for years to come. If you are seeking a venue in Cambodia for a wedding, gathering of friends or romantic break, the Park Hyatt is the perfect location.
We look forward to returning to the Park Hyatt Siem Reap many times and whole-heartedly recommend the hotel. Booking through Virtuoso provides you with complimentary breakfast, a room upgrade and dinner for 2. Thus, if you are not a diamond member, we would definitely recommend booking at least one night through a Virtuoso agent.