Hotel de la Paix
Siem Reap, Cambodia
We watched this hotel get built in Siem Reap and then saw the excellent results that followed, from our guests included. This year we spent our anniversary here and really enjoyed it. The location is fantastic right downtown, with the plus of that being the rooms are amazingly sound proof so despite the town just below you, you wouldn't know it from the room. The rooms are a nice size, simple in décor and the beds are lovely.
The pool is a highlight, with an amazing design that makes it usable in the rain and shine…a real plus in Cambodia. We had dinner at their restaurant and it was excellent with delicious food and a nice atmosphere. Breakfast was also good with a big selection menu as well as a buffet. All in all this is an excellent and trendy choice in the middle of Siem Reap.
The location is great and they do a lot of good in the community.
The hotel is a bit pricey and the spa is as well, especially when you can pay $5 across the road!
There is a dance performance put on by the hotel free of charge, get there early to get a good seat. If you want to have dinner after make sure to make reservations for dinner, it fills up. The spa, though expensive, has a steam room that is free for guests, first come first serve.
This is a newer hotel in Siem Reap and right from the start they built community action and involvement into their business plan. They encourage their guests to get involved in the projects they support and they come up with clever initiatives to help the community and involve big business. Guests are encouraged to find out about and visit the Hotel de la Paix Sewing Training Center. For just $250 you can support a young woman to attend the school for six months, teaching her a skill that will last a lifetime.
The most interesting initiative Hotel de la Paix had last year was their partnership with MasterCard for Purchase With Purpose. For every stay paid for with MasterCard a bicycle was donated to a local family or student in need. This year they are doing a similar program but giving a bicycle and school supplies. Hotel de la Paix has definitely seized the idea of community involvement and run with it, the best part is they have taken their guests along for the ride.
Reviewed by: Andrea Ross
2010
