Siem Reap Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Hotel
Cambodia It is a country of contrasts, of virgin nature, of temples that attract millions of people each year, rural areas... and hotels that are part of the most premium lists in the world.
The economic growth of the country, driven by the great Chinese investment and its massive factories and constructions, bets on tourism and an identity of its own is created with 'Luxury' experiences that unite the most exquisite luxury with respect for their community and the environment. We traveled the country to discover some of them.
** SHINTA MANI BENSLEY COLLECTION HOTEL, SIEM REAP **
arrival at Siem Reap Bensley Collection Shinta Mani hotel already announces the exquisiteness and exclusivity that will color the guest's stay.
Upon landing, after passing through a queue fast-track priority in immigration and exclusive to the hotel, not only is a chauffeur with some refreshing drinks and some personalized welcome details that are included as a transfer from the airport.
This bathtub at the Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Hotel in Siem Reap is a paradise
Here, the banner with your name is held by a wonderful person who will be your Bensley Butler throughout your stay. Your role of him? Take care of you 24 hours a day , worrying at every moment to recommend you local plans , accompany you by tuk-tuk to any part of the city when you ask them to, bring you drinks and delicacies to your room, reserve tables for you in any restaurant... and be your right hand to move around and enjoy the three succulent gastronomic points of the complex , organize a barbecue or a private breakfast in your villa and all kinds of wonders that materialize the ultimate luxury of our time.
And it is that the Shinta Mani Bensley Collection complex in itself is that: luxury made architecture, service and experience . Its creator is bill bensley , a prestigious and well-known architect whose work can already be seen in more than 200 high standing hotels worldwide and that he finally decided to sign a premium concept with his own name: 10 private villas with their own pool, access to three restaurants, several bars, a spa and a gym in the middle of Siem Reap city.
The installations are an authentic work of art that mixes colonial notes with art deco inspirations and some psychedelic pop magic and they give life to a crazy and prodigious idea that leaves their select clientele, members of the Bensley Collection, speechless.
Despite his young age, the project is already a reference of luxury at national level and its support foundation for the local community emphasizes the care for detail and the importance of maintaining a balance between luxury tourism and the contribution to the Cambodian society that characterizes the underlying philosophy of the place.
Cambodian cuisine in This bathtub at Siem Reap's Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Hotel
**SIX SENSES HOTEL, KRABEY ISLAND**
The hotel Six Senses Krabey Island is located on the private island of Krabey, a few minutes by boat from the seaside town and Sihanoukville region . The complex, which opened its doors a few months ago, brings together a total of 40 villas with private pool . A spa with 9 individual rooms, a hairdresser and an incredible manicure corner with a fully equipped gym, a ' meditation cave , two restaurants and a bar with sunset views divide its space.
The entire resort is conceived and designed to meet the needs of its three main pillars: sport (fitness), relaxation (sleep) and well-being (detox).
Six Senses Krabey Island
Considered one of the most special and exclusive retreats in Cambodia, the hotel offers personalized yoga classes , meal plans and sports activities tailored to the guest, high-tech medical check-ups and diagnosis with holistic treatment made by a doctor of Indian origin whose consultation and diagnosis (they analyze pulse, serotonin level, and many other parameters with high-tech tools) impress. In addition, water activities, traditional Khmer cooking class with its subsequent tasting, snorkeling routes, all kinds of water sports... and even beauty workshops (its 'Alchemy Bar' ), where customers can prepare their own natural products.
We stayed in one of their Ocean Pool Villa Suite , a villa with private pool, bedroom and living room with sea views. Every detail of the furniture and the entire digitized system of the room contrast with the tropical nature and the spectacular and wild island enclave that surrounds all the villas.
At the foot of the 40 meters of height among which all the comforts are scattered, a crystalline sea with a wonderful coral invites you to bathe and dive for hours and replenishing your strength is a luxury for the senses, since both its restaurant aha What Treep They propose elaborate and delicate menus that mix influences from Asian and local haute cuisine with Western notes... and an impressive wine list!
Six Senses Krabey Island
The hotel has all the characteristics that define the luxury of our time: facilities 100% eco-sustainable (Even the cables that connect the machines in your impressive gym with jungle views they are made of organic yarn!), very high-end comforts and a restaurant and attention service at the level of the most exclusive hotels in the world.
Following the line of the hotels that make up the Six Senses brand offer, the krabey resort invites us to consider that exclusivity is no longer at odds with a slower, more conscious and responsible life.
The Six Senses Krabey Island Gym - who wouldn't want to work out here!
RETREAT THE BALÉ, PHNOM PENH
Phnom Penh is a chaotic, noisy capital, full of dust, traffic and that frenetic energy that characterizes big Asian cities. A few kilometers away from so much hustle and bustle is The Bale , an authentic temple of peace.
Its design is clean in a modern and refined Asian style, which draws 18 private suites spread over a zen space on the banks of the Mekong which has an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers arranged in front of the river, with its back to its Theato restaurant and its polished glass.
Your menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner à la carte they propose haute cuisine that mixes local with western influences and the whole concept of the resort follows the guidelines of the philosophy 'PassionForlife' , a concept created by the company that governs the hotel: Lifestyle Retreats.
Its mission is to create an environment of holistic luxury , managed by a local team whose amendment is to take care of the client as if they were a member of his family and giving him the welcome, local information and the affection that only a few locals can give.
Among its activities, The Balé offers its clients a Khmer cooking class with a Cambodian chef by the pool, facing the Mekong . Quite an experience!
Holistic luxury at Retreat The Balé