Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Raffles Hotel Le Royal is a 5-star palace from 1929, in the Wat Phnom quarter of Phnom Penh. It has 175 rooms and suites, set among tropical courtyards.

The rooms

175 rooms and suites. Categories run from State and Landmark rooms to Executive Suites and Balcony Suites. The Personality Suites are dedicated to historical figures.

A base room is about 220 to 400 USD a night, before tax, depending on the season and the rate.

On site

Two outdoor pools, Raffles Spa (traditional Khmer treatments), a hot tub and a fitness centre. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, free parking, a historic lift and rooms accessible for guests with reduced mobility.

A butler is available around the clock. A resident historian shows guests the history of the hotel.

Where to eat

Restaurant Le Royal serves modern Khmer cooking, drawn from Royal Palace recipes. Le Phnom 1929 is the brasserie: international food and buffets. The Elephant Bar, the historic bar, is known for its cocktails and its gin collection. The Writer's Bar and the pool terrace cover the drinks.

Arrival and departure

Check-in from 14:00, check-out until 12:00.

The setting

Ernest Hébrard designed the hotel in 1929. The French colonial architecture and Art Deco details are still there, with hand-painted ceilings. Inside: period furniture, Persian rugs, Cambodian objects, lion-paw bathtubs.

The pools sit in courtyards and tropical gardens, off the street. The quarter is Daun Penh, beside Wat Phnom and the embassies, quieter than the riverside.