Amansara
Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS
Amansara is owned by Amanresorts, the most exclusive of the Asian hotel chains. The hotel boasts a very special location: it is housed in the former residence of King Sihanouk: the 1962 building, designed by the French architect Laurent Mondet, used to be known as Villa Apsara. The guest list from the period is pretty impressive and includes the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy and the French president Charles de Gaulle. In 1965 the mansion became the property of the country's Ministry of Tourism and converted into an exclusive 4-suite hotel. During the Pol Pot regime the hotel was closed and transformed into a government guest house.
Amanresorts bought the building in 2002; it was renovated to recreate the original design wherever possible. The result is a contemporary gem of the 1960s modernist style: an elegantly understated background for the guests' holiday wardrobe from Missoni and Armani... You will find telltale signs of the high life going on here in the times of the good old king, including the 17-metre pool; its original curved shape has been preserved by the renovators. The round hall with its 17-metre high ceiling - the room where the King loved to watch movies from his impressive film collection - has been converted into a restaurant.
The hotel offers 24 rooms; the design is based on the open plan principle. The rates range from USD 600 to 900 for a night but then again - if you can afford to stay here, perhaps this is not the occasion to try and save some money (particularly bearing in mind that this is the sort of hotel where guests have been known to arrive on a private jet...). The ultimate gem of Amansara is the 80 m² pool suites, each with a private 5x6 m swimming pool. The decor is dominated by natural colours with dark wood accents and ivory walls; grey stone on the terrace - elegant and sophisticated Oriental minimalism. The service is excellent, from the pleasant detail of free transfer to the airport and back, to the complimentary bicycle with a wicker picnic basket, personal tuk-tuk with a driver and trips to Angkor; the only thing not covered by the price is the Angkor passport. The tour itinerary has been drawn up to offer as authentic experience of Angkor as possible and avoid the throngs created by mass tourism. Admittedly, that also means getting up at 4:30 am... but do keep in mind the relaxation at the excellent Amansara Spa that awaits you later in the day, and, except for difficult moment of actually waking up, the whole getting up early lark will seem just a part of the adventure.
Amansara also offers bespoke excursions, should you be that way inclined, tailor-made exclusively for you - including an "entourage" of professional historians and archaeologists. The small library room with its excellent collection of coffee table books, various guide books and literature on Khmer culture and the history of Angkor, a selection of CDs and board games should also be mentioned as one of the most special features of the Amansara hotel. The adjoining gallery offers a carefully selected choice of design souvenirs, from silk to silver - albeit, as often is the case at similar places, for considerably higher prices than elsewhere. The premises of Amansara are surrounded by a high wall to protect the privacy of the guests - which means you can't just drop by for a casual cop of coffee. Non-guests, however, are welcome to avail of the hotel's spa and restaurant - provided they book in advance.
Rates from USD 600
Road to Angkor
E-mail: reservations@amanresorts.com
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