Sunlight was coming in sideways through the tall windows of the Writers Bar, catching the edge of my coffee cup and the pool below. Afternoon tea was laid out in front of us, our little boy was finally still, and my parents were deep in conversation about nothing in particular. It was the first moment of the trip where nobody needed anything.
I’ll be honest: before we arrived, I wasn’t sure Raffles Hotel Le Royal was our kind of hotel. A grand 1929 landmark with a famous bar and a guest list that runs from Jacqueline Kennedy to Charlie Chaplin sounds wonderful, but would it work for three generations, including a toddler? We spent three nights here in October as guests of the hotel, at the end of a week in Cambodia that started in Siem Reap. By the time we left, it felt like home.
Where Raffles Hotel Le Royal Sits
We came from Siem Reap by road, booking a private driver through Agoda for the six-hour drive to Phnom Penh. It’s a long day with a toddler, but it means door-to-door transfers, stops when you need them and no airport queues with grandparents in tow.
The hotel sits in the heart of the city, a short walk from Wat Phnom, and that location is a big part of its appeal. There are temples and wats within walking distance, and so much to explore that you never feel the need to plan too far ahead. When we wanted to go further, the hotel’s eco-friendly tuk tuk took us to the Royal Palace in about 10 minutes.
The Raffles Suite and State Room: Connecting Rooms, a Teepee and Space for Three Generations
We stayed in a Raffles Suite with a king bed, connected to a State Room Garden View with twin beds. For a family travelling with grandparents, connecting rooms are the difference between a holiday and an endurance test, and this set-up worked perfectly.
What struck me first was the sheer grandness of the rooms. The proportions are generous, the ceilings high, and the building is in remarkable condition for its age. The bathrooms are massive, finished in white tiles, and feel bright and spotless.
The touches for our son were the highlight. Waiting in the room was a teepee for him to play in, a selection of toys and a little wellness kit of his own. It’s a small thing on paper, but walking in to find a space already made for him told us everything about how this hotel thinks about families.
Dining at Raffles Hotel Le Royal: À La Carte Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and Poolside Club Sandwiches
Breakfast is served à la carte rather than as a buffet, which we loved. Nothing sits under a heat lamp, and everything arrives fresh. The eggs Benedict were excellent, and the pancakes were some of the best we’ve had on the road.
Afternoon tea in the Typewriter Room is the experience I’d tell anyone to book. The light, the view over the pool and the pace of it all make it a proper pause in the day. Afternoon tea starts from USD 28.
On our pool afternoon, we kept it simple with a club sandwich in the sunshine, which was exactly what the day needed.
The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal: Femme Fatale, Live Music and a Room That Time Forgot
The Elephant Bar feels just as it must have done decades ago, with wicker chairs, high French windows and the hum of a room that has hosted royalty, journalists and everyone in between. It was built in 1929 as part of the original hotel.
I had to try the Femme Fatale, the champagne cocktail created for Jacqueline Kennedy’s visit in 1967. Look out for the glass she drank from, displayed in a cabinet just outside the bar. We also worked our way through a few of the other signature drinks, each served with bar snacks.
The live music made our evenings. A band played both nights we were there, took requests from the room and kept the energy of the bar going well into the evening. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than stuffy, and it’s somewhere you’ll happily stay for one more round.
Pools, Gym and Spa at Raffles Hotel Le Royal: Two Pools, a Proper Workout and a Quiet Plunge
There are two pools, and one is shallower, which makes it ideal for little ones. We spent a long, sunny afternoon there with our son splashing safely while we finally sat down.
I squeezed in a gym session one morning, and it’s far better equipped than most hotel gyms. There’s plenty of space and a full range of Technogym equipment, free weights and cardio machines, so you can do any type of workout you like. It’s clean and well kept too.
The spa is small but relaxing, with a plunge pool and carved wooden loungers. It’s a calm place to unwind after a day exploring the city.
Families at Raffles Hotel Le Royal: Patient Staff, Thoughtful Touches and Looked-After Grandparents
This is where Raffles Hotel Le Royal really stood out. The team was incredible with our son. We were genuinely overwhelmed by how patient and kind everyone was with him, from the restaurant to the pool.
They were just as attentive to my parents. Grandma and Grandpa were looked after at every turn, and as the people responsible for everyone’s comfort, that was a huge relief for us. Every interaction felt like the staff were trying to make our lives a little easier.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Stay at Raffles Hotel Le Royal
- Book connecting rooms if you’re travelling with kids or grandparents. A Raffles Suite plus a State Room gives everyone space without splitting the family up.
- Mention your children when you book so the team can prepare the room. The teepee and toys made a real difference.
- Use the hotel tuk tuk for the Royal Palace and nearby sights rather than arranging separate transport.
- Save an afternoon for the pool and afternoon tea. It’s the best way to experience the hotel itself, not just use it as a base.
- Plan at least one evening at the Elephant Bar and check when happy hour and live music are on.
- Consider the drive from Siem Reap. A private driver for the six-hour road trip makes a two-city Cambodia itinerary easy with family.
Our Overall Verdict on Raffles Hotel Le Royal
I arrived unsure whether this was the hotel for us and left feeling we belonged. It’s ideal for families, couples and anyone who wants history, grand rooms and a central base for exploring Phnom Penh. The only people I’d steer away are those planning to get serious work done; between the pool, afternoon tea and the Elephant Bar, you’ll be far too distracted.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raffles Hotel Le Royal good for kids? Yes. Our son had a teepee, toys and a wellness kit in the room, there’s a shallow pool, and the staff were exceptionally patient with him.
How far is Raffles Hotel Le Royal from the Royal Palace? It’s about 10 minutes by tuk tuk, and the hotel has its own eco-friendly tuk tuk to take you there.
How do you get from Siem Reap to Raffles Hotel Le Royal? We booked a private driver through Agoda for the six-hour drive. You can also fly between the two cities.
What is the best room for families? We’d recommend a Raffles Suite connected to a State Room, which gave us a king room for us and our son and a twin room for the grandparents.
What is the Femme Fatale at the Elephant Bar? It’s the bar’s signature champagne cocktail, created for Jacqueline Kennedy’s visit in 1967. It costs around USD 12.
