Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor

The most traditionally Khmer of Siem Reap’s top lodgings, this understated, 59-room hotel is centered around a wonderful courtyard with lush plantings and a large lap pool.

• The serene courtyard centered around the 115-foot pool
• The relaxing, tropical resort vibe in the city center
• The first-floor Colonial-inspired Martini Bar with lovely cocktails
• The lavish breakfast buffet with pastries that taste straight from Paris

The most traditionally Khmer of Siem Reap’s top lodgings, the riverside Belmond was built almost entirely of rosewood and lava rock, and its lushly planted courtyard around an elongated, black-bottom pool is a great spot for balancing cultural touring with down time. Built in 2001 along the east bank of the Siem Reap River, the hotel has a wonderfully destination-specific feel. 59 guest rooms and suites are spread around the three-level building feature elegant French-Colonial furnishings, white-washed walls and crisp linens. Bathrooms are outfitted with powerful showers and deep soaking baths. Natural light fills all of these generously sized rooms during the day, but the ones to get are those framing the swimming pool (rather than facing the busy street as those can be a bit noisy at night). For those who have visited Yangon and stayed at the Governor’s Residence, you will recognize a similar colonial heritage. The best rooms are the suites with balconies.

Kong Kea Spa offers a welcome respite, both for its refreshing indoor pool and reliably effective treatments (try the Khmer massage, which is a less-yoga oriented version of a Thai massage). Happy hour in the upstairs Martini Lounge offers plenty of time to sample an array of tropical fruit cocktails before you continue downstairs to dine on Khmer or French-influenced classics at the formal Circle dining room, which overlooks a performance space where apsara dancers and others regularly entertain.

Couples who want a centrally located retreat and families with children whom they can trust to behave well and quietly around the shared pool.