Cambodia is on many honeymooners’ bucket lists of places to visit. It is a relatively unexplored country with a pleasant tropical climate and seemingly endless temples. It is occupied by fiercely dignified and friendly people. Cambodia boasts one of the most impressive towns, Siem Reap, a city that has captured the hearts and imaginations of archaeologists and visitors worldwide.
Laser technology has recently revealed that Angkor Wat would have been the largest city in the world in the 12th century; excitingly, it’s far more extensive than they first thought. Visit Angkor Wat temple for sunrise, Ta Prohm in its inimitable setting of gnarled trees and curled creepers intertwining this once-lost temple, and Angkor Thom with hundreds of carvings of faces making it akin to stepping onto a magical film set.
Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas are located in the peaceful leafy French Quarter of Siem Reap between the Royal Gardens and the Old Market; just a few steps from the languid eponymously named Siem Reap river and minutes from the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Temples of Angkor Wat.
Shinta Mani Angkor has 39-breathtakingly stylish rooms with modern facilities and inlaid ceiling artwork showcasing the images of Angkor, which complement the modern, chic interiors. Gracious hospitality and genuine service are hallmarks of Shinta Mani Hotels where staff go above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay for every guest.
The Bensley Collection Pool Villas has redefined the Cambodia luxury experience set in the cultural heart of the historic royal town of Siem Reap. An ancient canopy of palace trees shades the 10-bedroom Bensley Collection Pool Villas, offering privacy and the ultimate extravagance of tropical biophilic living. Dramatic high wall facades frame the pool villas with intricate three-dimensional carvings of the ‘hands of meditation’. Each villa boasts at least 150 square metres of space, including the bedroom and bathroom pavilions, lush gardens and a private pool, outdoor bathtubs, and rain showers. Bill Bensley has paid special tribute to Khmer King Jayavarman by showcasing the folds of his dramatic robes which seamlessly connect the cool interiors of the villa to the tropical gardens. Indulge in a good night’s sleep with blissfully comfortable beds and soft-as-silk hand linens and personalised pillows.
Shinta Mani has collaborated with world-acclaimed designer, architect and landscape artist Bill Bensley to form an exquisite collection of resorts known as the Bensley Collection. The resorts showcase Bensley’s visionary concepts and extraordinary design. Shanti Mani afforded him complete artistic freedom allowing his creative spirit to run free. He embraced the importance of a contented night’s sleep and designed the comfiest beds imaginable, and ensured complete black-out darkness for blissful rest.
There are several restaurants and bars within the resort, including Kroya Restaurant. Its menu blends international and local products, combining fresh ingredients, native herbs and spices to create innovative, palette-pleasing flavours. The Bensley’s Bar – a ‘bar with a heart’ is an honorary nod to the legendary designer, architect and philanthropist Bill Bensley. The bar’s shelves are lined with over 30 gins from all corners of the world with thoughtful tonic pairings. Cheers Bill.
Sokoun Chanpreda, the founder of Shinta Mani Hotels, created the Shinta Mani Foundation to support health, education and development programmes for the less fortunate in the community. The foundation strives for a strong and prosperous Cambodia where each individual has access to education and opportunities to better their lives. Shinta Mani Hotels fully fund the foundation’s operational costs. Shinta Mani Hotels and Resorts exists to support the work of the Shinta Mani Foundation, so your stay with Shinta Mani really does benefit the people, communities, animals and ecosystems of Cambodia.
Shinta Mani’s community activities began almost two decades ago with the opening of the Shinta Mani Hotel and Institute of Hospitality in the grounds of Shinta Mani Siem Reap. The internationally recognised programme trains under-privileged Cambodians in every aspect of hotel operations, providing them with the skills to serve you and enjoy a successful and bright future. Since conception, the foundation has provided over 1,500 families with water wells and clean, filtered drinking water and the ability for thousands of children to live healthy lives. 270 Cambodians now work in the hospitality industry, many of who you’ll meet during your stay at Shinta Mani Hotels.
For more information, contact https://angkor.shintamani.com/.
