"Once a low-rise cityscape of crumbling French colonial-era villas, brutalist concrete blocks, and an occasional pagoda, Phnom Penh’s skyline has been dramatically and spectacularly transformed by the Vattanac Tower, Cambodia’s highest skyscraper. The 39-story steel and glass structure, shaped like a mythical Chinese dragon symbolizing health and prosperity, has drawn mixed reviews but the Rosewood Phnom Penh, which occupies its top 14 floors, only garners accolades. To say that a 175-bedroomed hotel with five restaurants, swimming pool, spa, patisserie, and whiskey library feels cozy may sound far-fetched. However, awash in toffee tones with an occasional pop of rust, long on dark wood, travertine marble, creamy leather armchairs, and ikat-patterned rugs, it’s akin to staying in a very grand private residence. Art, often with a dash of whimsy, abounds. Cambodian artifacts, carved timber panels evoking the Khmer heritage, and artisanal crafts are here, there and everywhere. There’s a gallery space for contemporary artists and on arrival guests are welcomed by Hanuman, the Hindu Monkey God, a larger-than-life stainless steel wire wrapped sculpture—as well as an army of impeccable staff falling over themselves to take luggage and whisk you into the waiting lift. In a city where the blending of traditional and modern has been less seamless than its regional counterparts in Bangkok and Hanoi, this Rosewood pulls it off easily. With its star attraction, Sora, the cantilevered sky bar, there is no where else you should stay in this town. FLASH POINT Head to Sora at sunset and order a Cambodian, a blend of gin, absinthe, Prosecco, and cucumber and take in the 360-degree view of the magnificent Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers. +855 23-936-888; rosewoodhotels.com. Doubles from $225." - CNT Editors
