Templation Hotel Angkor | A Hotel Review
After a busy day exploring the temples of Angkor and all that Siem Reap has to offer, Templation Angkor offers luxury and serenity. With the beautiful pools, facilities, spa, and restaurant, you may want to plan for a full day of your trip where you don’t even leave the property!
When I first planned my trip to Cambodia, I had very little idea of what to expect. Since living in Singapore I did know a few people who had visited the country before, but it’s not that I had bookmarked any trendy spots on Instagram. I just didn’t have any anticipations – and that is sometimes the best. Because I was truly swept off my feet when arriving at our first stop in Cambodia, the Templation Hotel in Siem Reap. More than that, I was mind-blown.
Templation Angkor
Templation Angkor, part of the MAADS hospitality group, is nestled on four acres of untamed jungle, previously a plantation, located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Siem Reap. The hotel is just a five-minute drive from Angkor Wat, 50 minutes from the Siem Reap International Airport, and less than ten minutes from the city center.
The Architecture & Design
The hotel’s architecture and design are nothing short of breathtaking. The MAADS hospitality group focuses on sustainable and responsible practices while incorporating Cambodian flora and water beautifully into their designs. There are a variety of fruit trees, flowers, and greenery everywhere you look. Architects Ivan Tizianel and Lisa Ros designed Templation Angkor to complement the natural beauty of the land where it was built.
The resort has the same stripped-down elegance as its sister hotel, Plantation, in Phnom Penh. The angular architecture of the villas and concrete pathways are hidden or softened throughout by mature mango, jackfruit, and champey trees. A majority of the native trees and plants were preserved, and the villas were built to blend in with the land. Throughout the property, you’ll find echoes of the ancient waterways and reservoirs that nourished the Angkor civilization.
The interior design features Japanese simplicity and mid-century furnishings brought together with a warm palette of orange, taupe, and natural teak. The patterned concrete on the exterior of the rooms provides a contemporary echo of the carved sandstone of the nearby temples.
The Rooms & Villas
Templation Angkor has 42 rooms with three different options to choose from, depending on your needs. 30 detached, single-story buildings feature private pools, and the remaining 12 junior suites offer open terraces overlooking the main pool. All rooms have outdoor bathrooms with showers, jumbo bathtubs, and expansive views of the tropical skies.
The small resort offers a surprising number of facilities including a library, a mini-gym, a lifestyle shop and best of all, a spa delivering expert massages for jet-lagged guests.
Environmentally Concious
Templation Angkor is not only a visually stunning place to stay but it was also constructed with the environment in mind. The hotel’s design includes vegetal roofs that facilitate optimal airflow into the buildings, reducing the need for air conditioning. The grounds are equipped with solar panels that are connected to an electric grid, which partially powers the hotel. Additionally, rainwater is collected during the rainy season and used throughout the grounds, thanks to a groundwater pump and filtration system. This water is also used to fill the main pool and private pool villas, eliminating the need to bring in water from outside the property. These eco-friendly choices reflect Templation’s commitment to nature and respect for the nearby historic Angkor temples.
Food & Drinks
The hotel’s restaurant serves a menu of local Khmer dishes and brasserie-style Western food, while the bar stocks a reasonable selection of world wines and a range of beers, including a locally produced craft brew. Breakfast is à la carte and offers a wide choice for both Asian and Western visitors. Both, the cozy bar and simple restaurant, are imaginatively lit with sculptural copper pendant lights, adding to the hotel’s charm and ambiance.
My experience
We arrived at Templation Angkor via Grab from Siem Reap International Airport, about an hour drive.
Picture this: You drive along dusty roads and arrive at a crafty-artsy-looking entrance. Stepping through the door, you enter another world. Opulent waterfalls, plush velvety lounge chairs, welcome drinks, lovely staff, and just everything you can imagine. It was the kind of moment where I had to rub my eyes to ensure I wasn’t dreaming. But it only got better from there. But it only got better from there – When the staff mentioned that we had a “pool villa,” I in all sincerely thought that we had a room overlooking the pool. You might be able to understand how absolutely mind-blown I was when we entered a private villa, with not only one, but two bungalows, and our own huge pool. Trust me, besides visiting Angkor Wat, I did not leave this pool villa. There was no need – I literally ordered everything, from floating breakfast to fantastic food, even impeccable espresso martinis. Also, the staff was incredibly kind and hospitable, making our stay an out-of-this-world experience. I still get goosebumps thinking about it, and I wish I could have stayed longer.
I don’t really think my photos give these absolute gem justice, but that’s all right because I think everyone deserves to discover this on their own. You guys, if you plan a trip to Siem Reap, absolutely stay at Templation.
If you would like to book the hotel, you can do so through this link to support me and my blog.
VERENA’S VERDICT
If you’re planning a trip to Siem Reap, I highly recommend staying at Templation. After a busy day exploring the temples of Angkor and all that Siem Reap has to offer, Templation Angkor offers luxury and serenity. With its beautiful pools, facilities, spa, and restaurant, you may want to plan for a full day of your trip where you don’t even leave the property!
Templation Hotel, Rte du petit pont, Siem Reap 17251, Cambodia
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