Raffles Cambodia is Preserving the Golden Age of Travel

There is a unique type of magic that occurs when a hotel transcends being merely a place to sleep and becomes a living, breathing custodian of history. In Southeast Asia, where modern glass-and-steel skyscrapers increasingly define urban skylines, stepping into a heritage property feels less like a check-in and more like a time-traveling embrace.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Cambodia, where the legendary Raffles brand has spent nearly a century hosting archaeologists, adventurers, and royalty.

This enduring legacy has been emphatically validated on the regional stage. In the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific 2026, Raffles Cambodia achieved a spectacular double victory. Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh was crowned Cambodia’s No. 1 Best City Hotel, while its historic sister property, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, proudly secured the No. 2 position.

Beyond the top property accolades, the awards also celebrated the brands' holistic luxury offerings. The properties swept rankings for having the country's finest hotel swimming pools (Le Royal at No. 2, Grand Hotel d'Angkor at No. 4) and exceptional wellness sanctuaries (Grand Hotel d'Angkor placing No. 4 for Best Hotel Spas). To crown the achievement, Le Royal’s General Manager, Dagmar Lyons, was officially named one of Cambodia’s Best General Managers.

The Spirit of 1929 in the Heart of Phnom Penh

To understand why Raffles Hotel Le Royal continues to captivate the modern affluent traveler requires looking past its meticulous 2019 restoration. While that one-year project beautifully reinterpreted French colonial, Art Deco, and Khmer aesthetics into a bold contemporary style, the real magic lies in the invisible details. It is found in the fluid, intuitive service that has defined the 175-room icon since its doors first swung open in 1929.

“We are deeply honoured that Raffles Hotel Le Royal has been named Cambodia’s best city hotel,” says General Manager Dagmar Lyons. “This recognition belongs to our entire team who bring the spirit of 1929 to life every day while delivering the warm, intuitive service for which Raffles is renowned.”

This prestigious award is only the latest in a string of global accolades for the Phnom Penh landmark, which was also voted the No. 2 hotel in the entirety of Southeast Asia in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.

The Gateway to Angkor's Ancient Wonders

Six hours away by car—or a short hop by air—lies the spiritual counterpart to Le Royal: Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. Established in 1932 as a grand rest stop for those charting the mystical ruins of Angkor Wat, this Siem Reap institution remains an authentic temple to 1930s French Art Deco design.

Rather than treating its history as a static museum piece, the property invites immersive exploration. The hotel recently unveiled a permanent on-site exhibition showcasing rare vintage photographs, architectural blueprints, and archival video footage alongside the launch of a new history book capturing the golden age of Southeast Asian travel.

"It is a great privilege to see our luxury hotel recognised among Cambodia’s finest," notes Joseph Colina, General Manager of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. "As a historic gateway to the wonders of Angkor, we are proud to preserve and share this extraordinary legacy."

A Unified Narrative for Luxury Travel in Cambodia

The shared triumph of these two properties highlights a wider trend in global tourism: discerning travelers are seeking out places with a distinct sense of place and soul. This sentiment was underscored last year when both Raffles properties were among a highly exclusive group of only 10 hotels nationwide to receive MICHELIN Keys in the guide's inaugural Cambodian edition.

For those wanting to experience this narrative in its entirety, the sister properties offer an exclusive 7-day curated journey titled 'A Tale of Two Cities'. It seamlessly weaves the cosmopolitan energy of Phnom Penh with the enchanting mystery of Siem Reap—proving that even in 2026, the romance of grand travel is alive, well, and beautifully preserved in Cambodia.

For reservations and to walk the grand paths of history yourself, discover more at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor (+855 23 982 598) or experience the capital's finest at Raffles Hotel Le Royal (+855 23 981 888)