Shinta Mani Angkor

Shinta Mani Angkor combines striking design with a social mission that goes back to its beginnings. In 2004 hotelier Sokoun Chanpreda and architect Bill Bensley rented a small inn in Siem Reap to house staff and to offer hospitality job training to local people. The hotel describes itself as having begun as a non-profit school offering free training to disadvantaged Cambodians, and the Shinta Mani Foundation is still partly funded by room revenue. Many of the staff are graduates of the foundation's programmes.

Bensley redesigned the property in 2013, and it later grew into today's Shinta Mani Angkor, with 105 rooms and suites in what the hotel calls playful, Angkor-inspired environments. The showpieces are the ten Bensley Pool Villas, duplexes with private pools, rooftop living areas and butler service, which suit honeymooners and anyone looking for a special stay. Other guests share a central swimming pool with a poolside lounge and bar.

Dining is a highlight. Kroya serves Khmer dishes with a modern take, bringing traditional recipes together with contemporary techniques, and Baitong offers Khmer street food alongside international dishes for more casual meals. The Khmer Tonics Spa uses traditional Khmer healing treatments and all-natural products, and the Outsider Gallery adds an artistic touch to the public spaces.

The hotel suits couples, design lovers and travellers who want their stay to support local communities. Families can also be comfortable here, especially in the larger rooms, while those looking for maximum privacy should consider the pool villas. Ask the team about the foundation's work if you would like to learn more about the projects your stay helps to fund.

Shinta Mani Angkor is in Siem Reap's Royal District, described in one press quote shared by the hotel as an exclusive sanctuary on the edge of the city, and the Old Market, Pub Street and the temples are all easily reached by tuk-tuk or car. Bookings and package enquiries can be made through the hotel's website or by email. As with most of Siem Reap's top hotels, book early for the peak season between November and March, particularly if you have your heart set on a pool villa.