Park Hyatt Siem Reap

"An Art Deco and Khmer-influenced hotel offering cultural guest experiences close to Angkor Wat."

"The Park Hyatt Siem Reap's revamped Khmer meets Art Deco renovation feels completely right, especially the sunlit public Living Room lounge, which has rose-hued velvet love seats and towering book-filled shelves inset with striking locally hand-loomed textiles. The 108 guest rooms are equally colorful and sunny, and the marble bathrooms have excellent water pressure—a nice, and necessary, amenity in always hot-and-steamy Siem Reap. (Just make sure you avoid the Park King rooms—Nos. 213, 313, and 311—that face the mood-killing Colonel Sanders billboard across the street.) And then there’s the food. The city has some outstanding restaurants, but don’t feel guilty about starting your culinary tour at the hotel’s Dining Room, which serves authentic Khmer dishes like pork with ginger, palm sugar, and spring onions, along with sophisticated fusion creations like quail consommé with morel-tamarind dumplings (shown below). Snag one of the elevated banquettes, which are the best seats in the house. –Cynthia Rosenfeld"

"Judy Perl, Judy Perl Worldwide Travel “I highly recommend the classic Khmer cuisine at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap’s stylish restaurant, The Dining Room . The seafood amok, with curry paste and coconut milk, served over organic brown rice, was the best authentic Khmer dish I ate in Cambodia—or anywhere!” By AFAR Travel Advisory Council"

"Admire the stylized moves of the Apsara dancers You’ll see curvaceous Apsara dancers adorning the walls of Angkor Wat and other temples at Angkor Archaeological Park, so do try to see a performance of Apsara dancers so you understand why these ethereal beauties were carved in stone time and time again. Apsaras weren’t merely entertainers – they were considered to be messengers of the gods during the Khmer Empire era when they performed sacred dances at ceremonies, including Buddhist rituals and funeral rites. These days they are storytellers. The highly skilled artists learn their craft at dance school for many years, starting from a young age. The Apsara dance shows held nightly around town at restaurants and hotels feature interpretations of traditional myths from the Reamker (the Cambodian Ramayana) as well as choreographed folkloric dances. There is always a live musical accompaniment that can be as compelling as the dancers. Some, such as the nightly show upstairs at Temple Bar, are free but are mainly attended by a boisterous backpacker crowd and tour groups. To best appreciate the complex choreography and stylized steps, gestures and poses of the dancers, you’re better off watching a show in a quieter location. The Park Hyatt hosts performances in the hotel's tranquil courtyard outside the restaurant and bar – they’re free, you just need to buy a drink. Belmond La Residence d’Angkor hotel also has an impressive show, however, you will need to pay for a sit-down meal and book a table close to the show."