Park Hyatt, Siem Reap Cambodia
I was missing Cambodia and my friend Lucky, so while I was in Asia for other travel and content, I jumped over to Siem Reap for 3 days to see some new temples, have drinks with my bud, and since I found this hotel, wallow in absolute luxury.Arrival
Lucky is not only my drinking friend at night, he's my driver in the day. I was picked up at the new Siem Reap airport, which is now 50 miles from this hotel, instead of the old one that was 7 miles. Did I also mention it is now a toll road? Ahh, progress.Arriving in the heart of Siem Reap, 2 blocks from Pub Street, 4 blocks from Angkor Artisans, they were on my bags very quickly, and I had a relaxed check-in in the Living Room with some drinks provided as I was being taken care of. The general manager also showed up to tell me about some various things I had been given based on my status (which is very poor with Hyatt right now). He also explained that the suite I purchased was the best one of the 5 suites of that type on the property (yes, I just sucked it up for this one as I knew there was no upgrade coming for it).
I was then allowed to enjoy my drinks in a reserved seat in the middle of the Living Room lounge, and after that was escorted to my room where my bags were already in place. The room tour was a delight and full of surprises. The private patio with my own entrance to the pool complex (you'll see in the pics) was hands down the coolest feature.
The Room
I had evaluated the rooms online, and found a Park King Suite the best price point on the Traveling with Rob Hyatt rate. (yes, I have one, and yes, if you ask me for it, you can use it too). The description on the hotel's website doesn't come close to doing justice to the excellence of the abode. Guest bath, living room, patio, dressing room (as always my fave feature), big ass bed room, and powerful air conditioning. Loved it.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other portions of the room.
The Floorplan for direct room click access.
Dining and Drinking
The Living Room is the indoor/outdoor bar with a complete local exotic and Euro sanctuary feeling to relax with a drink. The Dining Room is the main restraunt which has the best Filet Mignon I was able to find in Asia that trip (Yes, including Singapore) and also the expansive breakfast buffet. The Glass House Deli, has the sweets, breads, and icecream (which was very good frozen treat, Rob approves!) for your children, or your inner child. If I keep eating this stuff, it will look like I am with child.Hotel Amenities
There are a couple swimming pools here (plus many of the suites have their own plunge or other pools). The saltwater pool, and the main event on the first floor (as they count the ground floor separately). A nice spa, and a functional gym. There is a bit of a business center, but I was challenged using the printer and such, so I emailed docs from my own computer to the front desk to have them printed.
Understated for what you are about to experience
The entrance lobby
The out of the way front desk for checkout or other needs (like at 2am!)
Continuing down the corridor towards the meeting rooms
Entry to my room, the stone wall to the right is also my room
I win on room size! Take that regular rooms
Local boozes, not bad price
Hefty, simple (which sometimes makes it better) glasses for my drink desires
From my private patio towards into the pool
Yes, it was exceptional sitting there drinking, and yes, you should be jealous
Nice stuff, smells good, does a nice job
Anything you could need in the bathroom, is here
The Living Room, your English library study, but with more drinks
The bar if you feel like being social, or want to drool over the wall
My arrival drink to relax from the trials of getting there from the airport
The Dining Room, which is an international and high end restaurant
World expert chefs relocated here to cook for you"
Price and menu sample for the Dining Room
Dining in the courtyard before I moved inside (it was too humid for me to eat comfortably)
An exceptional, perfect, medium filet
Breakfast menu, all included in your price
This end of the restaurant is all buffet
Chocoballs cereal, as I like to indulge in
The meats, all English stuff
Pastries yum
Fruits up close
Cakes, sweets, ice cream
Lots of seating and direct street access too
More of the pool, many back channels and inlets
Saltwater pool, this seems to be a health thing now? I'm not up on it
Cardio and free weights. I made do
My patio at night looking into the pool drop off point
The Spa, yes, that's the name. Great, back breaking, Khmer massage
Signing away in case you die"
Relaxing scents and calming tea to prep you
The center of the spa, a transitional space
The room where my back was relieved well and shoulders released
Elevator lobby, with nice accents
The central courtyard of the hotel
The courtyard at night, preparing for a show
Culturally accurate Khmer ancient stories acted out
Summary
So outstanding. 5 stars, yes. Could I stay there a month? Probably yes. I am a bit of an antsy person, and don't sit long in one place, but this is an excellent place to have a respite from the 100 degrees and 1,000% humidity of the tropics, running around millennia old temples, or shops and dining in town.More than reasonably close to the main Angkor temple complex, but also 1 block away from local groceries, 3 blocks from the river, with bicycles to get you to other locales around the city if you wish to explore on your own (many markets and exceptional shops to gather culturally appropriate items from, I always come back with a load of gifts).
Get a driver and tip them well. Life is rough in Cambodia. As I do, I suggest my friend Lucky as he is a good, hardworking and very honest guy.