Raffles Hotel Le Royal 

We had such a memorable stay at Raffles Hotel Le Royal. First opened in 1929, it’s one of those hotels that feel deeply connected to the city's history yet continue to evolve in such thoughtful ways. This was our second stay here. We returned for the beautiful sense of old-world elegance – lush tropical gardens and the grand atmosphere, yet what impressed us most this time was how the hotel has introduced several new family-friendly touches, making it an increasingly lovely option for an Asian city break with children. Our daughter loved the garden games recently added to the lush grounds, and the hotel has also created a beautiful indoor playroom for children, cleverly converted from a hotel room. In Phnom Penh’s heat, it’s such a thoughtful addition, giving children a lovely place to play and take a break during the day. When we arrived, there was also the most beautiful kids' amenities kit on our daughter's bed. The swimming pool is another highlight and, in our opinion, one of the best in the city, set within lush tropical gardens that make the whole hotel feel like a peaceful oasis from Phnom Penh’s energy. Another highlight for us was the new à la carte breakfast concept. Instead of a buffet, guests can order freely from the menu with unlimited dishes, which we absolutely loved. Everything is freshly prepared and beautifully presented, and the food was excellent. It felt far more relaxed and enjoyable than navigating a buffet. One afternoon, we had the opportunity to experience Raffles afternoon tea with Her Highness Princess Chansita Norodom, a Raffles Ambassador, who shared the most wonderful stories about the hotel with us. We also spent an evening in the iconic Elephant Bar, which is as elegant and atmospheric as ever and still feels very much like the social heart of the hotel. Dinner at Restaurant Le Royal was another highlight and quite possibly one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time. Set beneath a stunning hand-painted ceiling, the restaurant showcases Cambodian royal cuisine alongside refined Khmer gastronomy. The service was exceptional. Despite its heritage and grandeur, the hotel never feels formal or distant. Instead, it's consistently warm and friendly, and the team are wonderful. Raffles Hotel Le Royal remains one of our favourite hotels in the world, and we can’t wait to return.