Siem Reap - Must Visit - Temples & Luxury Hotels

Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. It is the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as it is the closest city to the world famous temples of Angkor (the Angkor temple complex is north of the city). Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom.

At the turn of the millennium, Siem Reap was a Cambodian provincial town with few facilities, minor surfaced roads and little in the way of nightlife. Tourism industry catered largely to hardy backpackers willing to brave the tortuous road from the Thai border on the tailgate of a local pick-up truck. There were a couple of large hotels and a handful of budget guesthouses. Tuk-tuks and taxis were non-existent and the trusty motodup was the chosen means of touring the temples of Angkor. 

The proximity of the Angkorian ruins turned Siem Reap into a boomtown in less than half a decade. Huge, expensive hotels have sprung up everywhere and budget hotels have mushroomed. Property values have soared to European levels and tourism has become a vast, lucrative industry. The Siem Reap of today is barely recognizable from the Siem Reap of the year 2000. 

I travelled to Cambodia- Siem Reap for the first time this June 2019. With so many hotels to choose from, after doing a lot of research and comparing the prices, I choose staying at Sakmut Boutique Hotel. I was travelling with a couple of friends. Part of my trip was business and part discovering this hidden and forgotten world wonder.

Sakmut Hotel location was great, so I was able to easily reallocate from place to place. Taking a Tuk Tuk was an easy arrangement (only costs up to 3 USD to get anywhere, never paid more!), as well as hotel, had their own driver when needed, just have to request in advance if you need a luxury transfer. I have to say, from the moment we arrived, I realised we made the best choice, and that photos didn't do justice. This hotel is truly stunning from inside and outside; I highly recommend staying here!

Located next to the (main) National Road, in the city centre of Siem, within a short ride to the night markets, it offers peace and relaxation. It’s well situated to offer privacy and tranquillity. Surrounded by lush and green, it has a huge swimming pool in the middle of the hotel. Stunning architecture with balconies and private garden area on different levels, roof-top bar, gym (we had 2 separate rooms booked: Twin and Double)) it really is a hidden gem. Very comfortable, clean and new. It was way above my expectation and I was enjoying another perfect stay after a long flight.

The staff very friendly and helpful. Buffet breakfast had a wide selection, way much better than some of the 5-star hotels we have stayed so far during the trip. They even packed us breakfast (must get up least 4AM to go and see the sunrise). Wifi was super-fast, so it helped a lot when working! They also offered late check-in which allowed us enjoying the hotel just a bit longer. I was very impressed, compared to other Asian countries I have visited so far, how well Cambodians speak English. Every single person at the hotel was speaking perfect English, were happy, able to exchange jokes and stories with us.

1 or 2 days are definitely not enough to explore everything and get a feel about the city. I deeply regret only staying here a few nights. 

The famous- Angkor Wat City/Capital of Temple is a temple complex, and one of the largest religious monuments in the world, on a site measuring 162.6 hectares. Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (Khmer Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

I heard many people only visit Angkor Wat, so don’t be fooled, you also must see:

Angkor Thom or Big Angkor (constructed by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1219) as the last capital city of the Angkorian era);

Ba Yon Temple (approximately 50 stone towers with 4 faces of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara carved on most of them. Set in the middle of Angkor Thom, it was built in the late 12th century to serve as the official state temple of Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII);

Angkor Thom or Big Angkor was constructed by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1219) as the last capital city of the Angkorian era. The largest site in the Angkor Archaeological Park, there are 5 20-metre-tall gates surrounding Angkor Thom, with intricate stone carvings of elephants and the four faces of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara while causeways leading to the gates are flanked with 108 statues of gods and demons;

Ta Prohm Temple (gained international recognition after it was featured in both the video game-inspired movie Tomb Raider. This tranquil monastery was built during the mid-12th century by King Jayavarman VII in commemoration of his mother);

Ba Phuon Temple is a 3-tiered temple mountain that was built in honour of the Hindu God Shiva and served as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II during the mid-11th century. Located northwest of Ba Yon Temple);

The Preah Khan ((Sacred Sword) temple complex is surrounded by a towering moat with its walls decorated with carvings of garudas, a bird-like mythical being in Hindu mythology. Dedicated by the King Jayavarman VII to his father in 1191, it houses maze-like entryways, towers, ceremonial spaces, courtyards, and shrines); 

The Terrace of the Elephants (in the centre of Angkor Thom features beautiful bas-relief scenes of elephants and garudas, making it one of the most photographed sites in Angkor Archaeological Park);

Phnom Bakheng ((Bakheng Hill) is a major temple what was built after the capital was moved from Roluos during the 9th century. Constructed over 2 centuries before the iconic Angkor Wat, this temple mountain represents Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods and also served as the state temple of King Yasovarman I);

Prasat Banteay Srei (10th-century Hindu temple that boasts some of the most well-preserved relics in Siem Reap. Unlike the temples in Angkor Archaeological Park, it was built by a Brahmin counsellor to King Rajendravarman. Locally known as the ‘citadel of the women,’ Prasat Banteay Srei is fitted with pink sandstones and 3-dimensional carvings of scenes from the Ramayana epic, as well as female deities (devatas) in traditional attire carrying lotus flowers on each hand);

Koh Ker, (80 km northeast of Siem Reap, was the capital of the Khmer Empire between 928AD and 944AD. It’s the second largest temple town after Angkor, housing almost 100 temple ruins but the most impressive structure here is Prasat Thom, a large 7-tiered temple complex); and many others