Amansara

Class: Deluxe

Style: Modernist

Rooms: 24

Cambodia’s luxury makeover has been quite understandably long in coming. The temples at Angkor have always been a magnet for tourism, but it’s only recently that the country’s political situation became stable enough to allow for luxury tourism on a scale that could support new upmarket hotels. Of course, where there’s a newly hip destination and a demand for luxury, it’s not long before the Aman name makes an appearance. Amansara makes its home in Siem Reap, the closest city to Angkor, and the natural staging ground for temple expeditions. The resort was once King Sihanouk’s guest house, and it seems he was a man of unusual tastes; no neo-colonial palace, this villa was built in swinging Sixties style, a sort of bachelor pad for the visiting statesman-about-town. Vestiges of this Sixties architecture remain but the interiors have had a thorough makeover, in the calming Zen-inflected minimalist style for which the Aman resorts are known. The twelve original suites are long on luxury, with king beds, fully furnished lounges, private courtyards and deep soaking tubs; the twelve new suites each come with a modestly sized private pool. Amansara has all the makings of a self-contained luxury retreat, offering fine dining, two swimming pools and a Spa. Many guests, presumably, are here for a tour of the temple region; Amansara guests have the inside track, as twice-daily temple tours and outings by moped-drawn rickshaw (a remork) with driver and guide are included in the room rate.