After a long flight what I always need is that the property shouldn't be too far away. The resort is located in the center of the city almost equidistant to the Siem Reap International airport and the Angkor Wat UNESCO World Heritage Center. The din of the main road is non-existent the time you step into the property. Borei Angkor is an extremely well-known hotel amongst a plethora of other similar hotel options available in Siem Reap. All Tuk Tuk drivers seem to know about its whereabouts. The most popular and pleasant forms of intraurban transport in Cambodia are Tuk Tuks (an open three-wheeler vehicle with a dedicated seating arrangement at the back). My evenings were mostly spent at the famous Angkor Night Market - a fifteen minutes' walk from here. Shopping malls, local restaurants, bars and the nicely landscaped Siem Reap river promenade are also nearby.

Set amidst lush green surroundings and beautiful manicured garden and plants, Borei Angkor is hidden behind a dense canopy of trees. I couldn't gauge the size of the magnificent structure from outside. The grandeur of the hotel came to fore when I entered the lobby. Spread across an astounding area of thousand square meters, it is easily one of the biggest ones you will ever see. The unique thing about the lobby is the fusion of Cambodian culture, tradition with the luxurious contemporary feel. The aesthetically designed interiors has huge Cambodian artifacts rising up from a small pond with lots of goldfish, a separate place for showcasing Roneat ek – a xylophone used in classical Khmer music of Cambodia, a magnificent bell housed under typical slanted wooden roofs and even a Gold Ore probably referring to the rich history of artisanal gold mining dating back to 12th century A.D.

The interior areas are dominated by wooden furniture and fittings. I was fascinated by the tall pillars, swirling staircases, sofa sets, wooden frames with ancient paintings, large polished tables, painted wooden sculptures and other decorative pieces adorning the entire property. The colour combination is distinctly earthy. Brown, green and grey are the most dominant colors and the golden lighting complements these shades.

Rated second amongst 15 swimming pools across Asia Pacific, the Tropicana Pool is surrounded by exquisite slender palm trees. The shallow depth makes it ideal for people of all ages. I had some delicious snacks at the pool side Aha Rosil bistro and few delectable cocktails at the Tropicana bar (by the pool)

The Niraan is a luxury souvenir shop located inside the hotel. I was awed by the intricately designed handcrafted souvenirs, traditional Khmer garments, exquisite paintings, accessories, furnishings and ornate jewellery. The hotel claims it to be one of the largest such collections offered in any hotel across Asia.

The Mudita Spa is an indulgent affair. I decided to succumb to a world of comfort, relaxation and pleasure after a strenuous day of sightseeing under the harsh Cambodian sun. I tried the J'Pong herbal steam therapy - their signature offering as it was branded as the traditional Khmer massage. It was one of the best spa experiences for me.

I fell in love with my room. Inspired by the tastes and designs of the erstwhile Royal Angkor empire, the room boasted of exquisitely carved classic Cambodian architecture along with a plethora of amenities - 24 hours in-room dining, complimentary Wi-Fi, bathrobe and slippers, rain shower, in-room electronic safe. Each room has a private terrace with garden/pool/city view. Mine had one too with the city view and it was beautiful especially during the evening.

The Borei Café is the primary restaurant of the hotel and operates from 6.00 a.m. till 10 p.m. My mornings couldn't have been better. The breakfast buffet here is a smorgasbord of Khmer, Chinese and Continental cuisine. Live counters are not limited to egg stations. It also includes fresh made pan-fried noodles, sausages, pancakes, waffles and much more. Freshly made juice, warm muffins, doughnuts, seasonal fresh fruits, a variety of cereals and flavoured yogurts adorn the buffet spread. On recommendation of the Chef, I also tried the traditional Khmer buffet) in Borei Café to get an essence of the distinct Cambodian cuisine.

The one thing that stands out in Borei Angkor Resort and Spa is the impeccable hospitality. Greeted immediately with folded hands by the entire staff at the entrance, I got the feel of the amazing service here. Almost all the staff go out of their way to help the resort's residents. Be it customization of the dishes, additional stuff required in the room, information about shopping and dining in Siem Reap or any other special request, trust the Borei Angkor team to take care of the same. Everyone wears a smile on their sleeve and it makes the residents very comfortable in the property.

Borei Angkor seems to care about sustainable practices. After the usage of the complimentary water bottles given every day, the resort encourages guests to refill the water bottles at dedicated water stations kept on either side of the entrance. It also requests residents to use towels for more than a day to save water.

Borei Angkor Resort and Spa manages to combine luxury with the region's authenticity and that's what makes the stay so experiential and endearing.

FACTFILE:

Getting There: Siem Reap is a prominent city in the international tourist map due to the presence of Angkor Wat. It is well connected to the major cities of Phnom Penn and Sihanoukville within Cambodia. Daily flights ply from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok as well. The resort usually provides one-way airport pickup for all guests.

Accommodation: The low-end rooms start from Rs 3000 onwards during the low season and Rs 7000 onwards during the peak season (Nov – Feb) whereas the Royal Suites would cost Rs 50k onwards per night.

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Useful links

http://boreiangkor.com.