Two salty pools have been added to the legendary club
Under the ceiling fans, which reluctantly moved the hot, tropical air, the journalists drank . They came from all over the world: France, England, the United States, from distant places with exotic names for the inhabitants of Siem Reap. The Cambodian city was an oasis then, in the early 1990s, after decades of turmoil, civil war and Cold War intrigue that had torn the country apart. The atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge had not yet been judged, but it could be said that, finally, there was peace.
In this context, the **Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) ** of Siem Reap was founded, which had begun to arrive in the city after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in October 1991. Lacking a place of their own , Y tired of drinking in seedy bars, a small group of informants came up with the idea of establishing their own club for expatriate journalists and photographers. They did it in an elegant mansion, which used to belong to the french Colonial Governor,
In the end, the place not only served as a bar and restaurant: it also became an important cultural and intellectual center , with press conferences, talks, photo exhibitions... Adventurers, illustrious personalities and celebrities met there... Today, you are the most special guest. You can even rest within its walls, since the iconic place has just been converted into the hotel FCC Angkor from the hand of Avani Hotels & Resorts.
The rooms of the FCC Angkor
Surrounded by towering ancient trees and exuberant tropical flora, FCC Angkor is now a beautiful recreation of its times of splendor with 80 cozy classically renovated rooms and suites, a restaurant and a bar. Inspired by nature, the entire space exudes warmth and perfectly reinforces the vision of the original architect, Gary Fell, who effortlessly blended tropical modernity with French colonial history.
“When FCC Angkor began its restoration, it was imperative that the cultural underpinnings of the property and its surrounding community be maintained in detail. Spearheading this unique project was Malee Whitcraft , the Dutch-born and Bangkok-based talent, in conjunction with Bloom Architecture , based in Phnom Penh. Together, they conceptualized the main themes of a home where travelers can fully embrace the FCC tradition of passing stories”, they explain from the accommodation, which is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Therefore, the rooms are decorated with old typewriters and local newspaper covers, as well as vintage clocks, rotary dial telephones, Khmer carvings, traditional tiles and ceramics. In addition, they are also exhibited in the common areas works of art created by local artists, and textiles are made by cooperatives of women in the area.
The place maintains its colonial charm
"Our goal is to embody the emotion of home and hospitality and to create warmth and camaraderie in an attractive setting that is authentically rooted in the local community and its rich heritage, that connects the past with the present and the legend with modern days", they explain from FCC Angkor. "We are a true social center of hunters of ideas and discoverers, and we are surrounded both by complexes of 12th-century temples as well as Khmer palaces, always in contact with the new and with the earth".
That spirit is also felt in the creation of new areas, such as the Visaya spa and the two sea salt pools , for which both natural materials have been used, such as stone slabs, with some more "modern" ones, som and recycled wood. Thanks to all this, the traditional is combined with the contemporary, respecting the natural and historical beauty of the mansion and allowing guests immerse yourself in a mythical era of Cambodian history.
WHAT TO DO AT FCC ANGKOR
In addition to the obvious -visiting the temples of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm...- and strolling through the always surprising streets of Siem Reap, the hotel offers a series of activities related to the building's past that will fascinate travelers who love of the good stories.
Thus, for example, it is possible to sit in its iconic bar, now restored, write , a contemporary take on colonial-era drinking establishments, and sample their cocktails inspired by famous journalists. But, above all, it is imperative to enjoy the exclusive experiences that the hotel makes available to us, such as the photographic tours of unvisited places and temples of the well-known site of Angkor Wat accompanied by a renowned photojournalist , in the purest FCC tradition.
The hotel is decorated with local artwork