Review: Iconic experiences at Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor
There are only a handful of hotels in Asia for which the word iconic fits effortlessly. Alongside Raffles Singapore and Bangkok’s legendary Mandarin Oriental, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor holds its place with quiet authority—standing not only as the beating heart of Siem Reap’s hotel scene, but as a true symbol of refined luxury hospitality in Cambodia.
The origins of the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor are closely tied to an ambitious vision from the mid-1920s: the construction of five prestigious hotels across French Indochina. The Siem Reap property was second only in importance to Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, which opened in November 1929.
Originally envisioned as a 40-room hotel, the Grand Hotel d’Angkor was intended to replace—or significantly expand upon—a modest bungalow that could no longer accommodate the growing number of affluent travelers drawn to Angkor. By the early 20th century, the temple complex had already captured international fascination. In 1907, the arrival of 200 tourists in just three months was notable; by the late 1920s, tourism had surged dramatically. Even during the global depression of 1934, records show that 2,817 visitors traveled to Angkor.
The exact opening date of the hotel remains uncertain due to limited archival documentation. However, a 1929 record confirms that construction was underway, with plans to open approximately 60 rooms by 1931. Delays followed, and the hotel ultimately began operating during the 1932–1933 season.
A Meeting Place for History’s Great Figures
Over the decades, the Grand Hotel d’Angkor welcomed an illustrious list of guests. Film icon Charlie Chaplin and his co-star Paulette Goddard visited Angkor in April 1936, hosted by prominent archaeologist and art historian Victor Goloubew.
The golden years of Cambodia under Prince Sihanouk (1955–1965) ushered in renewed prosperity and international attention. Distinguished visitors included President Charles de Gaulle in 1966, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1967, and Princess Margaret with Lord Snowdon in 1969.
Following years of upheaval, the hotel reopened briefly between December 1991 and October 1994. In March 1996, Raffles International Limited undertook an extensive restoration, culminating in the grand reopening of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor on 30 December 1997. Today, the hotel features 119 rooms, seamlessly blending colonial elegance with contemporary comfort.
A Personal Encounter with Timeless Elegance
I vividly remember my first visit to Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in 2014, during my initial trip to Siem Reap. It was a hot afternoon, and I asked my driver to take me there for the traditional afternoon tea. At the time, still unfamiliar with the world of luxury hotels and their etiquette, I found the atmosphere slightly intimidating. Yet, sitting in The Conservatory, knowing that this might be the very space where Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once paused to reflect after visiting the temples, felt quietly extraordinary.
Just at the year 2025 was living its final days, during a second visit to Siem Reap while staying nearby at Shinta Mani, I couldn’t resist returning. First for tea—and then, drawn by the hotel’s history, for Christmas dinner at the storied Café d’Angkor.
Expecting a festive atmosphere, I was instead greeted by serene calm. The terrace, which I had specifically requested, was almost silent. There were no carols, no crowds, none of the holiday rush found elsewhere in the city. And in that stillness, I realized it was exactly what I needed.
It became an evening of presence and gratitude—reflecting on the year that had passed, appreciating both what had happened and what had not. The four-course vegetarian dinner was thoughtfully adapted to my dietary preferences and served with impeccable attention to detail and genuine care. I was particularly touched when Mr. Mehdi Oussedik, Director of Food & Beverage, personally stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas and ensure everything was perfect.
Afternoon Tea and the Spirit of Raffles
A few days later, invited by Cedrick Ragel, Marketing & Communications Manager, we returned once more—this time for the hotel’s celebrated Afternoon Tea Experience. Originally from the Philippines, Cedrick has made both Raffles and Siem Reap his home away from home. His warmth and attention to detail made us feel instantly welcome, as he shared stories that brought the hotel’s past vividly to life.
Raffles Afternoon Tea is served daily in the languid elegance of The Conservatory, overlooking the swimming pool and gardens. It is an experience that transports you to a time when life moved at a gentler pace—when conversations unfolded without screens, and social rituals were cherished.
The three-tier stand featured freshly baked scones with organic seasonal jams sourced from local farmers, jewel-like petit cakes, and delicate sandwiches, all paired with fragrant jasmine and ginger tea. Every element felt carefully considered, refined, and deeply comforting.
The Raffles Gin Craze & An Unexpected Moment of Magic
Another highlight was the “Raffles Gin Craze”, guided by Gin Butler Nisha, who led us through an exploration of finely crafted gins infused with local botanicals. The exclusive Elephant Bar gins, produced locally in Cambodia and available only at Raffles, each carry a distinct story.
Among them, Mekong Gold Gin stood out unmistakably. Crafted by Seekers Spirits, this wood-finished gin is infused with 13 Southeast Asian botanicals, including pandan, Khmer basil, Battambang green oranges, and Asian lime leaf, all built upon a cassava-based spirit. Its aroma and depth felt like an olfactory journey along the shores of the mighty Mekong River.
As evening settled in, the Conservatory grew livelier. The piano became the room’s focal point when Raoul, the resident pianist—also from the Philippines—began to play. Unaware that we were Romanian or maybe just because of this (something I won’t even bother to find an answer), he performed “We Belong Together”, widely known as Nadia’s Song, famously associated with Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci and her historic perfect 10 at the Montreal Olympics. This instrumental piece became a massive hit in 1976 after the ABC network used it in a montage of Nadia Comăneci during the Summer Olympics. “We Belong Together” is also famously known as the theme for the soap opera The Young and the Restless.
It felt like a sign from the universe. Having come to know Nadia in recent years, I sent her a recording of the moment, along with a message describing the context and emotions it stirred.
I left Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor that evening with tears in my eyes and a deep sense of gratitude—for history, for music, and for an experience that will remain unforgettable.
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