GTHQ Jaunt Journal – Hotel: Le Meridien Angkor – Siem Reap, Cambodia

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GTHQ Jaunt Journal – Hotel: Le Meridien Angkor – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Location: Vithei Charles De Gaulle · Khum Svay Dang Kum · Siem Reap; Angkor Wat – 5 min drive, Pub St – 5 min tuk-tuk

After leaving Vietnam, we headed to amazing Cambodia. Angkor Wat has been on my bucket list for a good while now and we couldn’t wait to go and see this amazing complex. Likewise, the Cambodian people are full of life and pleasant to be around despite the horrors they went through in the not so distant past. Our flight arrived in Siem Reap and the hotel arranged a complimentary pickup from the airport. Le Meridien Angkor is a category 3 Starwood property.

Le meridien sign

The Room

We reserved a King Bed Deluxe Room which turned out to be on the 2nd floor. The room was quite long (38 sqm) with a living room area and bedroom area on an open floor plan. Khmer décor fills the room and the floors and furniture are timber. There is a very wide armoire in case you plan on staying a good while…

A large window opening connects the bathroom and bedroom and is only a meter from the bed. The bathroom is average size but designed well with a separate tub and shower. One negative point is that the water temperature in the shower would change constantly from burning hot to cold. I reported it, they looked at it and said they would fix it but never did. Additionally, the room smelled like mildew for about 5 minutes after the ac unit was turned on every time. This was also informed to the maintenance team but there was no update or improvement.

Bath to bed view

The normal amenities included water, tea and coffee. Additionally there are slippers, robes, a safe and an umbrella in the room. Wifi internet service was free at this property.

The Property

You can definitely roam around this property. There are a variety of nice gardens and walkways with sculptures and figures spread around nicely. The atmosphere is more geared towards business people and while we were staying there was a convention going on.

There are 3 restaurants, a lounge and a couple of bars. We ate at the Angkor Royale Café and L’Angelo and on every occasion received great food. The service was good but not excellent and at times the limitation in the staff’s English speaking skills showed through. If we spoke Khmer, things might have gone a bit smoother.

Angkor Royale Café

Angkor Royale Café

Gym overlooking pool

Gym overlooking pool

The fitness facility was quite small but had your basic treadmills and some weights. The outdoor pool was aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. However, it was not cleaned regularly and the whirlpool jets were broken. I’m sure this pool was impressive when it was first installed. The hotel also has a spa with various treatments and packages. An interesting fact the hotel states is that SPA stands for Salut Per Aquam or “health by water.” Not sure about that, but it sounds good.

Pool Front View

Pool Front View

 The Experience

The staff was helpful and friendly but the issues in the room were disappointing especially since after informing the staff nothing was done to resolve them and I was given no follow up. The hotel is conveniently located 5 minutes from Angkor Wat and 5 minutes from the city center. Tuk-tuks will take you around for a couple of dollars and do half day tours for 7 or 8 US$. The food was tasty (not just the local beef lok lak but even Italian pasta and pizza).

Filling up with Johnnie Walker? Nope, that's fuel...

Filling up with Johnnie Walker? Nope, that’s fuel…

The Good: Great food & beautiful property; Normal 3 Night Cost: $600 US – Our Cost: $110 + 15,000 SPG points

The Bad: The staff should be more aligned when providing basic info on tours and atms to customers. In asking for directions, the concierge and the doorman gave vastly different replies causing us to not take a tour we were interested in. On a separate occasion, two different concierge personnel, one via phone and one face to face, gave conflicting information.

The Ugly: Despite the pool being beautiful to look at from a distance, it is not cleaned regularly and the jets are broken; Room smelled like humidity/mold and the shower water temp would change continuously.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Where's Lara Croft?

Where’s Lara Croft?

 

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