Angkor Village Hotel

A slice of paradise

by ESQinDC about Ankgor Village Hotel

Aside from the Temples, one of the highlights of my trip to Siem Reap was my stay at the Angkor Village Hotel (AVH). The hotel is really a collection of bungalows that are simply furnished, but very comfortable.

The hotel has an open air lobby that is a great place to visit with other guests from around the world or even treat your driver to a soda. The hotel resturant is an open air facility to, but is surrounded by a spectacular water garden. The resturant serves great Cambodian dishes. My favorite was a shredded pork and grapefruit salad.

The staff is beyond friendly and anticipates every need, even if you don't know you need something! For example, I arrived at the hotel around lunch. I checked in and the staff presented me with several options for touring the temples of ankgor. They set me up with the nicest driver "Vin" who was an excellent guide for the temples. The staff not only remembered my name, but quickly came to recognize my preferences and catered to them. (A cold diet coke was waiting for me each day when I returned to the hotel from my tours.)

AVH also owns its own dinner theater where they present a traditional Cambodian meal along with a wonderful show of Apsara Dancing. They can also book elephant tours of the temples.

If your a fussy traveler, you may be annoyed by the beds which have hard foam matresses and the 'showers' are a bit unique, but to me that was all part of the charm. I've stayed at hotels around the world and for the most part they are quite forgetable. Angkor Village Hotel is a place I'll always remember. The most unique quality of the Angkor Village Hotel is the beautiful gardens that surround the bungalows. There a little nooks and sitting areas to relax and take it all in. The rooms are furnished in Cambodian art and are elegant in their simplicity.

Rooms are airconditions and the hotel has a nice pool area. Treat yourself and stay here.

Explore a temple with no tourists! Beng MeLea

by Bali-Babe

Beng MeLea is an amazing temple that is rarely visited. It is located a few hours away from Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, where the jungle just grows right up through the remains of the temple. If you like the Ta Prahm temple in the Angkor complex, you will absoluted love Beng Melea. Beng Melea was rediscovered only last year, and the temple has not been rebuilt. Jungle roots are forcing stones from the temple upwards, and children from the area will escort you through the complex, directing you to which stones to step on. Nothing is roped off or really safe. It is very hot there, even though the jungle is shielding you from the sun. The sound of the bugs, or the jungle orchestra can be overwhelming, which adds to the mystere and adventure.

Be careful where you step! Don't go off the paths because of the land mines. This area has mostly been cleared of the mines, but don't take any chances!

To get here, I hired a taxi driver from the Angkor Village Hotel in Siem Reap. You can hire the driver for the entire day for about $40. It's a long and bumpy ride there, but well worth it! There are also other temples to see along the way to Beng Melea. One temple on the way is Banteay Srei temple which is an old sandstone temple. It is a bit different looking than the Angkor complex. See my travelouges for a picture.

Also on the way to Beng Melea is Kulen. I didn't get a chance to go there, but apparently there are still tigers roaming this area. You would need a guide, and would need to arrive there very early. I think the park closes at 12:00 noon.

Cambodia

by glasstech

"Seven great days in Cambodia"

July 3rd - July 6th 2006 Three days of checking out Angkor Wat.

"Angkor Village Hotel Siem Reap"

Nice local hotel with good location. Good setting. Restaurant was not very helpful. But ate out most of the time.

"Angelina who?"

A day I will never forget. We dumped our guide, nice guy, but would not stop talking. Got a tuck-tuck and headed for the temples. So many pictures and fond memories of this incredible place.