Cambodia - citibank.com.sg · KHMER ATTITUDE Shopping Stocking Cambodia’s two finest designers, Eric Raisina (see LUXE Insider) and Ambre, chic boutique Khmer Attitude also has

Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE ItinerariesP1 / LUXE CAMBODIA

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Cambodia

CAMBODIA IS FAST EMERGING FROM ITS TURBULENT PAST TO EMBRACE THE WORLD AND WELCOME FOREIGNERS WITH OPEN ARMS.

Phnom Penh is the bustling, compact

capital, packed with historic architecture

and museums, locally-produced, standout

shopping, and fantastic Khmer dining.

Smaller, but ever growing, Siem Reap

is home to the gorgeous and spiritual

Angkor Wat complex, and a myriad

of ruined temples reclaimed from the

steaming jungle. With a chic and stylish

hotel, dining and retail scene, it’s no

wonder Siem Reap has become so

popular. Best come now, before the

theme parks get here.

The cult pocket city guides and mobile

apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler

www.luxecityguides.comCITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES


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• Jun-Oct is wet and lush and great

for photos, cooler/peak season is

Nov-Mar, while Apr is scorching hot.

• Water Festival (Bon Om Tuk) is in

Nov; millions of people descend on

the waterfront, so watch it on TV.

• Visitors can obtain a visa on arrival

for US$20, payable in US$ only,

or avoid queues and get your visa

online at www.mfaic.gov.kh

• De facto currency is US$, though

small change is given in the local

riel. US$1 is approximately 4000R.

• Phnom Penh International Airport

to town: 30 mins / US$9; Siem Reap

International Airport to town: 20

mins / US$5.

• ATMs are dotted around town.

Handy ANZ ATM at 265 Sisowath

Quay, Phnom Penh and Old Market,

Siem Reap.

Blah blah• Cash is king, so carry plenty of

small notes, though high-end

establishments do accept

credit cards.

• Phnom Penh (PNH) streets are

numbered grids, while landmarks

are often used in Siem Reap (REP).

• Get around in tuk-tuks, motorbikes,

hire a car or call for a taxi (Choice

Taxi call +855 23 888 023) in PNH;

cabs don’t exist in REP but tuk-tuks

abound, and cycling is a fun way to

see the temples in cooler weather.

• Foreigner = $$$$. Don’t flash your

cash, hang on tight to your purse

and leave your designer handbag

at home.

• Beggars and street kids are rife.

Politely ignore them as one word

from you instantly transforms them

into Velcro, and they also

know how to cuss in several

different languages.

• Don’t touch the monks in saffron

robes or point your feet at them,

and don’t touch children

on the head.

• The people can be surprisingly

open about their suffering under

the Khmer Rouge, so be sensitive in

your response.

• Opening hours can be flexible,

so best check ahead.

• Country code is +855, landline in

PNH is 023, REP is 063, and mobiles

usually start with 012, 015, or 017.

• Contact your hotel in an emergency,

as special services have limited or

no English.

• Tourist Police PNH 011 858 660,

REP 012 402 424.


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Siem Reap-based Eric Raisina began his

foray into the world of fashion design

in his Madagascan homeland, where

natural materials such as silk, raffia,

sisal, linen and cotton quickly became

his trademark. Winning the prize of New

Young Talent at the Fashion Festival and

Textile Competition (MANJA) enabled

him to study in Paris at the Duperré

School where he excelled in the creation

of textiles. He graduated with a Master’s

degree from the Institut Français de la

Mode in 1999, started his own workshop

soon after, and was commissioned to

create unique textiles for fashion houses

Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix.

Eric Raisina Haute Texture Collection is

available at flagship boutiques in both

Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, plus in

selected stores abroad.

www.ericraisina.com

LUXE INSIDER

Eric Raisina


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1) WHAT’S THE ONE THING EVERY VISITOR TO SIEM REAP MUST DO AND WHY?

See the beauty of the Angkor temples,

especially the Bayon temple, with

an amazing sculpture of the King

Jayavarman VII, who is considered

the most important King in

Angkorian history.

2) WHAT ARE 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN SIEM REAP AND WHAT DISHES DO YOU ORDER AT THESE PLACES?

Cuisine Wat Damnak for delicious

French dishes using Cambodian

ingredients, Sugar Palm for prawns

amok, and Abacus for crab salad

and mango.

Sugar Palm / Taphul Rd / Siem Reap /

+855 12 818 143

www.cuisinewatdamnak.com

www.cafeabacus.com

3) WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND FRIENDS STAY WHEN IN SIEM REAP?

5 star hotels are great but there are

also excellent boutique hotels such as

Viroth’s Hotel, Samar Villa Resort, and

Heritage Suite Hotel.

www.viroth-hotel.com

www.samarvillas.com/en

www.heritagesuiteshotel.com

4) WHERE WOULD YOU GO FOR A DATE NIGHT OUT AND WHY?

Certainly Miss Wong bar because it is

super cozy, the crowd is friendly and

the cocktails are delicious!

Miss Wong / alley opposite Provincial

Hospital, behind Pub Street / Siem

Reap / +855 92 428 332

5) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHOP IN SIEM REAP? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

Senteurs d’Angkor for its authenticity

of Cambodian products, its paper and

its mango jam!

www.senteursdangkor.com

LUXE INSIDER

Eric Raisina


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LUXE Loves

RAFFLES HOTEL LE ROYAL Hotel

Though it was built in the 1920s, this

historic icon has still got the ‘it’ factor,

with all the modern amenities a loving

restoration has afforded, but with

its old-world charm still marvelously

intact. The checkerboard tiling,

colonnaded exterior and common

areas, perfumed gardens, shaded

pools, Restaurant le Royal, Elephant

Bar and Amrita Spa are all delightful.

MALIS

Dining

Renowned chef Luu Meng presents

both traditional and contemporary

Cambodian cuisine in his semi-

alfresco, Angkor-inspired villa.

Signature dishes include Fish Amok

– steamed Goby fish served in Khmer

curry sauce and lime leaves – and

succulent stuffed roast chicken. Sit

downstairs by the tranquil pond,

or there are private dining options

available too.

TEPUI AT CHINESE HOUSE Dining

Situated in the historic Chinese House

building overlooking Tonle Sap river,

chic Tepui is a fusion of Mediterranean

and South American flavours in the

2nd floor restaurant, Asian inflected

cocktails in the ground floor bar, and

French and Chinese design influence

all around. Order the delicious beer-

braised beef cheeks.

92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh /

Phnom Penh / +855 23 981 888 /

www.raffles.com

136 Norodom Blvd / Phnom Penh /

+855 23 221 022 / 6.30am-10pm daily

www.malis-restaurant.com

45 Sisowath Quay / Phnom Penh

/ +855 23 991 514 /

dinner Tue-Sun /

www.tepui.asia


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LUXE LovesBLOOM

Dining

Their catchphrase is ‘too beautiful

to eat, too delicious to resist’ and we

couldn’t agree more. Bloom’s artfully

designed, sinfully tasty cupcakes will

have you throwing all dieting plans out

the window. And if you need more of an

incentive, it’s an NPO that empowers

and skills Cambodian women. Dessert

for a cause… we’re in!

HOTEL BE

Hotel

Located in the heart of the vibrant

Old Market area, boutique Hotel Be

is home to just three modern suites,

each personalized with the work of a

different local artist. Tasty Khmer small

plates restaurant AHA is onsite and

spa treatments are available in-room,

making this a truly unique

hotel experience.

LE MOON Bar

Situated on the rooftop of Amanjaya

Pancam Hotel, Le Moon offers

panoramic vistas over the riverfront,

and is the perfect spot to enjoy a city

sunset with a cocktail in hand. There are

also hot and cold international finger

foods and desserts to keep hungry

stomachs at bay.

THE SAMAR VILLAS & SPA RESORT Hotel

A mere stone’s throw from the gates

of the main Angkor temple, Samar’s

eight villas and suites exude French chic

and Khmer charm, while the tropical

gardens and pool provide a serene,

tucked-away ambience. Gentlemen get

a daily shave and ladies one facial per

stay, plus you can choose where on the

property you wish to dine.

TENDANCE KHMERE Shopping

Injecting traditional Khmer silks

with contemporary French panache,

Tendance Khmere’s soft furnishings

are 100% handmade in Cambodia

by a small team of dedicated local

craftspeople. They are available in

an array of eye-popping colors and

combinations, or you can custom

design your own.

CUISINE WAT DAMNAK Dinning

Frenchman Joannès Rivière elevates

Khmer cuisine to new heights in his

pretty indoor/outdoor garden house,

using fresh, locally sourced produce

to create his excellent seasonal

degustation menu. Enjoy dishes such as

braised pork shank with star anise and

caramelized palm sugar, and steamed

Mekong langoustine with rice wine and

Kurata pepper.

4a, St 278 / Phnom Penh /

+855 12 584 661 /

www.tendance-khmere.fr

Wat Damnak Village / Siem Reap

/ +855 63 965 491 / dinner

Tue-Sun / set menu only /

www.cuisinewatdamnak.com

Amanjaya Pancam Hotel / 1, St 154

/ Phnom Penh / +855 23 214 747 /

5pm-1am daily /

www.amanjaya-pancam-hotel.com

Behind Kantha Bopha Children’s

Hospital / Siem Reap /

+855 63 762 449 /

www.samarvillas.com

40, St 222 / Phnom Penh / +855

77 757 500 / 10am-5pm Mon-Sat /

www.bloomcreations.org

The Passage / +855 63 965 321 /

Siem Reap /

www.hotelbeangkor.com


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LUXE LovesKONG KEA SPA

Spa

La Residence d’Angkor’s aquatic-

themed, minimalist retreat is the

ultimate indulgence to be found in

town, with private rooms, rain showers,

sauna, Jacuzzi, indoor plunge pool

and organic, chemical-free Sodashi

product treatments. Eco-friendly, local

NGO-made Wonderlust clothing and

accessories are available in the spa

boutique too.

TA PROHM Activities

Built in 1186, this maze-like temple was

made famous when Angelina Jolie and

the Tomb Raider film crew paid it a visit.

It’s the most dramatic of the Siem Reap

temples, with enormous Banyan roots

growing up out of the ruins, and an

amazing greenish hue. Early evening is

the best time to appreciate it, when the

crowds have moved on, and the eerie

light plays shadows on the stone and

trees. Don’t miss it!La Residence d’Angkor / River Rd /

Siem Reap / +855 63 963 390 /

www.residencedangkor.com

KHMER ATTITUDE Shopping

Stocking Cambodia’s two finest

designers, Eric Raisina (see LUXE

Insider) and Ambre, chic boutique

Khmer Attitude also has Carol Cassidy’s

Lao Textile silks, gorgeous silver, woven

bags and other accessories up for grabs

in their Raffles Grand Hotel

d’Angkor locale.

1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle / Siem

Reap / +855 12 917 056 /

www.khattitude.com


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LUXE LoathesSEX TOURISTS

Vile, pasty, sock and sandal wearing

detritus, especially in Phnom Penh.

PHNOM PENH RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

A real mess, with seemingly no sort of

government control or design.

PUB STREET SIEM REAP

The name says it all, avoid it like you

would typhoid.

INAPPROPRIATELY DRESSED TOURISTS

Cover up, please!


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Fab vs. Drab

SOUVENIRS

Leaving Angkor Wat with only memories

of beautiful Buddhas and bas reliefs can

easily be avoided by taking a custom

woodwork, stone, silk or lacquer memento

home with you from charitable workshop

Artisans d’Angkor.

www.artisansdangkor.com

ARRIVE IN STYLE

Transiting by plane, train or coach

between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is

hardly glamorous. So consider transiting

in vintage style aboard the Jayavarman,

a C.20th French colonial-style riverboat

complete with stately suites, sundeck,

Funnel lounge bar, and Aspara Salon spa.

The glamorous journey takes you from

Siem Reap down the mighty Mekong to

Saigon, via Phnom Penh.

www.jayavarmancruise.com

TEMPLE GUIDE

Hiring a random local guide on the street

and wandering around the temples, is

a surefire way of not understanding

the immense history and significance

of Angkor and its environs, whereas

hiring an excellent private guide from

ABOUTAsia ensures all your questions are

answered and 100% of the tour profits

are donated to help children’s education.

www.aboutasiatravel.com

HERITAGE RECIPES

Not fully appreciating the almost lost-

forever joys of Khmer cuisine is easily

done, so take the time to properly

discover the local fare by learning to cook

dishes using traditional ingredients and

preparation techniques with Cambodia

Cooking Class.

www.cambodia-cooking-class.com

FLY AWAY

Jostling to get a good look at the sights

with coach loads of tourists inevitably

ends up exasperating and exhausting,

so consider soaring over Phnom Penh

and Siem Reap either privately or

with a small group on a Helicopters

Cambodia chopper, then sitting down to a

champagne picnic lunch afterwards.

www.helicopterscambodia.com


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Phnom Penh is a compact and busy

capital, reminiscent of pre-mass tourism

Saigon. There’s plenty of evidence of the

country’s checkered past, but also many

signs the city is well on the mend. Start

by checking into a beautifully restored

suite at the iconic Raffles Hotel Le Royal

(see LUXE Loves), then after breakfast

begin your day on a somber note, with

a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum,

a former school turned Khmer Rouge

prison. Not for the faint of heart, but it

stands as one of the world’s best anti-

war memorials. For an inspiring example

of the Cambodian people’s resilience,

follow this with a visit to Tendance

Khmer (see LUXE Loves), a local business

specializing in 100% Cambodian-made

silks and soft furnishings. Stop at sweet

LUXE ITINERARY

History & Style

and charitable cupcake boutique Bloom

(see LUXE Loves), then taxi north for

lunch at Romdeng, where traditional

Khmer cuisine is served in a restored

French colonial villa, and your dining

dollar helps children in need. Post-lunch,

wander towards the river and stop at

the National Museum, home to centuries

worth of Angkor artifacts, then pop into

Romyda Keth’s fabulous store Ambre

for gorgeous silk gowns, plus men’s and

homeware. Taxi back to Raffles some

afternoon pampering at the Amrita Spa,

the most complete spa in Phnom Penh,

with face, body, massage, hand, foot and

waxing services available. Head back to

the waterfront to enjoy sunset cocktails

at the Amanjaya Pancam Hotel’s rooftop

bar Le Moon (see LUXE Loves), taking in

the panoramic vistas while you’re there,

then taxi north to the historic Chinese

House building, where you’ve pre-booked

a dinner table at chic Mediterranean and

South American fusion restaurant Tepui

(see LUXE Loves). Follow your supper with

a nightcap in the happening ground floor

bar, then you are just a short taxi ride

from your luxurious Raffles suite.


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LUXE ITINERARY

Romance & Style

Cambodia’s fashion capital and home to

the romantic and historic Angkor Wat

temples, Siem Reap is the perfect city

for a stylish and exotic Southeast Asian

rendezvous. Check into lush riverside

spot La Residence d’Angkor, boasting

contemporary Cambodiana suites with

balconies and baths big enough for two,

and begin your day with a pond-side

breakfast at the palm-fringed, wicker

and teak-terraced Dining Room. Leave

the tour buses behind and soar over the

Angkor kingdom on a scenic chopper

flight with Helicopters Cambodia (see

Drab vs Fab). You can join a small group

on a scheduled sightseeing flight, or for

ultimate romance, charter privately and

follow your ride with a champagne picnic

lunch. Next head to eclectic Old Market

alleyway The Passage and share an ice

cream from Blue Pumpkin café, then carry

on up the street to find original jewelry at

Garden of Desire and Christian Develter’s

paintings at The One Collection. By now

you must be feeling weary, so amble back

to your hotel for an afternoon pamper

session at the excellent Kong Kea Spa (see

LUXE Loves) where his and hers Sodashi

product facials, couples massages, and a

full range of rejuvenating spa therapies

are at your soon-to-be-manicured

fingertips. Feeling refreshed, slip into

your evening’s attire and stop for a pre-

dinner cocktail at the hotel’s leafy garden

oasis, The Pool Bar, then either stroll or

tuk-tuk to your pre-booked dinner table

at the excellent Cuisine Wat Damnak (see

LUXE Loves), where chef Joannès Rivière

cleverly blends fresh and interesting local

ingredients with French technique to

create imaginative, palate-pleasing Khmer

fare. Head back towards home for a

nightcap at La Residence’s sultry indoor/

outdoor riverside Martini Lounge, then it’s

a mere stroll back to your luxurious suite

and sweet slumber.


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LUXE ITINERARY

Culture

For culture and history buffs, no trip to

Cambodia would be complete without a

visit to the awe-inspiring architectural

wonder that is the Angkor Wat temple

complex. Sadly, coachloads of tourists

and megaphone-wielding guides are

literally ruining the ruins, but it’s still

possible to have a wonderful experience,

provided you structure your trip properly.

Firstly, you’ll need somewhere fabulous

to prepare for and then reflect upon

your journey, and where better to do so

than The Samar Villas & Spa Resort (see

LUXE Loves). Have the hotel pack you a

lunch and arrange a private guide from

charitable tour outfit ABOUTAsia (see

Drab vs Fab). Set out for the day and note

the names not to be missed:

Angkor Wat – Grand, grey and looking

darn good for 900 years old, this C.12th

masterpiece attracts the crowds for the

classic sunrise photo opportunity. Try

entering through the largely overlooked,

leafy east gate for a more private

experience, then stop for breakfast at the

air-conditioned Angkor Café.

Bayon – Housed within Angkor Thom,

Bayon is the next stop after Angkor Wat

for the tour groups, so go late afternoon

when the crowds disperse and the light

plays tricks on the captivating stone

faces.

Ta Prohm – Fabulous, and an absolute

must. Come for the eerie early evening

light, when the swarming packs have

moved elsewhere for sunset (see LUXE

Loves).

Banteay Srei – Pretty pink sandstone

home of fabulous bas reliefs, but there’s

no shade, so pack your sunhat.

All the big names can be done in a day,

while smaller, less-visited sites including

Preah Khan, Neak Paon, Sras Srang and

Banteay Kdei are also worth a look.

After a long day of temple appreciation,

head back to Samar Spa for a well earned

treatment and delicious Khmer supper at

the on-site Fou-Nan restaurant.


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LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials

• Raffles Hotel Le Royal

(see LUXE Loves)

• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum / Cnr

Sts 350 & 113 / 7.30am-5.30pm daily

• Bloom (see LUXE Loves)

• Tendance Khmer (see LUXE Loves)

• Romdeng / 74, St 174 / +855 92 219

565 / 11am-9pm daily /

www.mithsamlanh.org

• National Museum / Cnr Sts 178 & 13

/ +855 23 211 753 / 8am-5pm daily /

www.cambodiamuseum.info

• Ambre / 37, St 178 /

+855 23 217 935 / closed Sun /

www.romydaketh.net

• Le Moon (see LUXE Loves)

• Tepui at Chinese House

(see LUXE Loves)

• La Residence d’Angkor / River Road /

+855 63 963 390 /

www.residencedangkor.com

• Helicopters Cambodia

(see Drab vs Fab)

• Blue Pumpkin / Old Market /

+855 63 963 574 / 6am-10pm /

www.tbpumpkin.com

• Garden of Desire / The Passage /

Old Market / +855 12 319 116 /

www.gardenofdesire-asia.com

HISTORY & STYLISH ITINERARY

ROMANTIC & STYLISH ITINERARY

• The One Collection / The One

Hotel / The Passage / Old Market /

+855 12 755 311 /

www.theonehotelangkor.com

• Kong Kea Spa (see LUXE Loves)

• Cuisine Wat Damnak

(see LUXE Loves)


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• The Samar Villas & Spa Resort

(see LUXE Loves)

• ABOUTAsia (see Drab vs Fab)

• Angkor Café / in front of Angkor Wat /

+855 63 966 539 / 7am-6pm / open for

dinner by special arrangement

CULTURE ITINERARY

LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials


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Your LUXE notes

Documents

Cambodia - citibank.com.sg · KHMER ATTITUDE Shopping Stocking Cambodia’s two finest designers, Eric Raisina (see LUXE Insider) and Ambre, chic boutique Khmer Attitude also has