We almost overdosed on decadence at Raffles Phnom Penh. It may have been the five-course lobster brunch with champagne as the waiter flambéed scallops at our table, gamely letting the flames leap higher for the benefit of our cameras; or maybe it was at dinner, while sipping a 1920 Sipsmith martini and sampling the ‘Jackie Kennedy menu’, based on the meal the then-First Lady enjoyed here.
For almost a century, Raffles has represented the height of luxury in Cambodia. It has a storied history. Most famously it was declared a neutral zone by the French during Pol Pot’s regime and provided shelter to journalists during those troubled years.
The 132-room property is a blend of Khmer and Art Deco. Two large courtyard pools lie in the shade of the vibrant tropical greenery. The whole place is an oasis of old-world glamour amid a bustling, non-stop city; you owe it to yourself to stay here on your visit to the Cambodian capital.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | PNH | GMT +7 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Just outside the hotel, make sure to take a stroll in the afternoon to Wat Phnom, a historic hilltop Buddhist temples with stunning views over the Tonle Sap. |
Photography courtesy of Raffles Hotels & Resorts
