The morning was still cool when we gathered under the old pagoda bell in the gardens. A monk sprinkled fragrant jasmine water over us, his chant low and steady, then tied a thin sacred string around each of our wrists. Our son watched, fascinated, from his grandmother’s arms. The bell above us had been hidden in these gardens during the Khmer Rouge years, recovered after the war and given to the hotel as a sign of peace. It was a quietly powerful way to begin.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor opened in 1932 as the first luxury hotel in Siem Reap, built for the adventurers and high-society travellers who came to see the temples of Angkor. Almost a century later, it still feels like an event to stay here. We spent two nights as guests of the hotel with our toddler and my parents, as part of a family trip through Cambodia that also took in its sister hotel, Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh.
Where Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Sits
The hotel sits at 1 Charles de Gaulle Street in Siem Reap, set in landscaped French gardens and about 8 km from Angkor Wat, a drive of around 20 minutes. The town centre is close by too, so you get calm grounds without feeling cut off.
We arrived by road from Phnom Penh, booking a private driver and van through Agoda for the six-hour drive. With a toddler and grandparents, having our own van with space for bags and stops when we needed them made a long day easy. We did the same drive in reverse at the end, finishing our trip back in Phnom Penh.
To get to Cambodia from Singapore, we flew with Emirates on its Dubai to Phnom Penh service, which stops in Singapore. You can book just the Singapore to Phnom Penh leg, and for a short regional hop on a wide-body Emirates plane, it was great value.
The Raffles Suite and State Room: Connecting Rooms, Garden Balconies and Daily Surprises
We booked connecting rooms again: a Raffles Suite with a king bed, joined to a State Room Garden View with twin beds for my parents. It’s the set-up we’d recommend to any multi-generational family.
Both rooms have a clearly separate living area and bedroom, and the furnishings are elegant without feeling fussy. Each has a small balcony overlooking the gardens, which became our spot for a quiet coffee while our son napped.
The team replenished snacks and little treats every afternoon and evening, so we always came back to a surprise. Our stay also came with a generous set of extras:
- Signature welcome refreshments on arrival and a selection of Khmer sweets
- Daily champagne breakfast at Café d’Angkor
- Sodashi bath amenities, an in-room coffee machine and filtered water in reusable Raffles glass bottles
- Round-the-clock butler service in the suites, which was brilliant whenever we needed something quickly or an extra pair of hands
- Two signature cocktails at the Elephant Bar and an afternoon tea set, western or Khmer (we ordered one of each)
- A dinner for two adults with pairings
Dining at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor: Champagne Breakfasts, Afternoon Tea and a Dinner for Two
Breakfast at Café d’Angkor has a reputation as one of the best in the Raffles family, and it’s easy to see why. It combines a buffet with an à la carte menu, so you can graze on the spread and then order something made to order. The buffet is generous with fresh tropical fruit, bread baked that morning and freshly pressed juices. The à la carte menu is where breakfast really shines, with the chef’s specials changing day to day. And because this is Raffles, there’s champagne. A glass of bubbles while our son worked through a plate of fruit set the tone for both days.
Afternoon tea comes in two styles, western or Khmer. We ordered one of each, which was the right call. It’s a fun way to compare classic sandwiches and scones with Cambodian sweets. One evening, we put the kids to bed and sat down to a dinner for two with wine pairings. We ordered different dishes and swapped plates halfway through, and it was the first proper date night of the trip.
Experiences at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor: An Angkor Sling Masterclass, Wine and Gin Tastings and a History Tour
What sets this hotel apart is how much there is to do without leaving the grounds.
The Elephant Bar is the heart of it. Raffles’ most famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling, was first mixed at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel Singapore in 1915, and every Raffles hotel now has its own version. Here it’s the Angkor Sling, and you can learn to make it yourself in a hands-on masterclass with the bar team. We also joined a gin tasting and finished with our two signature cocktails at the bar.
The wine tasting with the hotel’s resident sommelier was learning at its best. It was relaxed, full of stories and pitched perfectly whether you know your grapes or not.
The in-house history tour was a highlight for all of us. Walking through the hotel, we learned about the Raffles brand, the hotel’s early days hosting archaeologists and adventurers, and how it has survived nearly a century of Cambodian history. Look out for the original lift as you go.
The hotel also has its own tuk tuk, and the team kindly took us on a round trip through Siem Reap so we could get our bearings and see the city.
Pool and Gym at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor: A Huge Pool for Every Generation
The pool was perfect for family time. It’s huge, so there was room for our son to splash about while others swam proper laps. There are plenty of loungers and plenty of shade, and staff came round regularly with water and suncream for everyone.
The gym is small, but it has everything you need for a holiday workout. With 15 acres of gardens to use, you can easily take your training outside too.
Families at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor: A Team That Takes Your Toddler Off Your Hands
The staff were wonderful with our son. They would often scoop him up and play with him, giving us a few precious minutes to eat a meal or finish a coffee. With the butler on hand and grandparents well looked after, it was one of the most relaxed family stays we’ve had.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Stay at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
- Book the experiences early. The monk’s blessing, Angkor Sling masterclass and tastings run on set days, so check the schedule when you arrive.
- Book connecting rooms if you’re travelling with grandparents. A Raffles Suite plus a State Room gives everyone space.
- Ask what your rate includes. Champagne breakfast, afternoon tea, Elephant Bar cocktails and butler service add up to real value.
- Try both afternoon teas, western and Khmer, if there are two of you.
- Fly Emirates from Singapore to Phnom Penh and drive to Siem Reap with a private driver for an easy two-city Cambodia trip.
- Use the hotel tuk tuk for a first loop of the city.
Our Overall Verdict on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is a destination in itself. Between the monk’s blessing, the champagne breakfasts and a pool big enough for every generation, it’s ideal for families, couples and anyone who loves history with their luxury. During our stay we saw solo travellers, people working remotely, families and tour groups, and the hotel seemed to suit every one of them. If you’re visiting Siem Reap, this is the place to stay.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor good for families? Yes. The pool is huge, the suites have separate living areas, connecting rooms are available, and the staff were wonderful with our toddler.
How far is Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor from Angkor Wat? About 8 km, or around a 20-minute drive.
How do you get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap? We booked a private driver and van through Agoda for the six-hour drive. You can also fly between the two cities.
What is the Angkor Sling? It’s the hotel’s own take on the Singapore Sling, served at the Elephant Bar. You can learn to make it in a masterclass.
What is the monk’s blessing at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor? A morning ceremony under a pagoda bell that was hidden during the Khmer Rouge years and later gifted to the hotel. A monk blesses you with jasmine water and chants, then ties a sacred string around your wrist.
