Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Colonial opulence

We stayed 3 nights at Le royal. Initially greeted by a concierge you are sept into the lobby feeling like royalty. The entrance lobby is palatial, huge chandeliers and luxurious chaise longe immediately transport you back to the turn of the 1900's. Check in was swift and comfortable and we were soon on our way to our room. I felt that this was a little tired and jaded not to mention small and crammed with furniture. A disappointment after the expectation building grand entrance. The bathroom was an even bigger disappointment, positively tiny with ancient fittings and decor. The tiles around the bath and basin were cracked in places.
The hotel has a decent sized swimming pool and a health club which appeared to charge exorbitant prices. Apparently royalty and pop stars stay at the hotel regularly - I guess they can afford to use these facilities as I couldn't!.
Breakfast was included in our package and was quite a relaxed affair although the buffet was a little limited in choice. Perfectly adequate though.

Unique Quality: You stay here for the reputation and the ambiance. Better value can surely be obtained elsewhere.
The Elephant Bar is a Phnom Penh institution but as it is open to non residents this is not really a reason to stay here.
The concierge was outstanding and gave great help and advice. A tremendous asset to the hotel.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Raffles Hotel Le Royal Photo: Raffles Le royal

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Classic colonial-era hotel, Raffles Hotel Le Roya

I did not stay here but paid a visit outside and took some photographs.

Reopened for business as a Raffles property in 1997 and is Phnom Penh's finest hotel with a heritage to match its comfort and class. In fact, it ranks as one of Asia's grand old palaces, in the illustrious company of the Oriental in Bangkok and the Strand in Yangon.

I will only recommend this hotel if you have cash to burn...

Unique Quality: The hotel has a swimming pool, a gym, a spa, a business centre, bars and restaurants with lavish food and drink.

Between 1970 and 1975, most journalists working in Phnom Penh stayed here and part of the film, The Killing Fileds was set in the hotel (though filmed in Hua Hin, Thailand).

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Business Travel, Spa and Resort, Luxury Travel

Raffles Hotel Le Royal Photo: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

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Raffles Hotel Le Royal - An Outpost Remembered

The next time I come back to Phnom Penh, I would consider staying here. It is so peaceful and quiet in the midst of the cacophony of noise that characterised Phnom Penh, ranging from the tuk-tuks, mo-peds and so on.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Business Travel, Spa and Resort, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

Raffles Hotel Le Royal Photo: Big Signage-Hotel Entrance is Nearby-Keep Walking

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Raffles Hotel Le Royal

DO NOT USE YOUR CREDIT CARD HERE - 2 DAYS AFTER PAYING MY BILL SOME FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS WENT THROUGH ON MY CARD IN PARIS, AND IT CAN ONLY HAVE BEEN STAFF MEMBERS FROM THIS HOTEL WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE, I DIDN'T USE IT ANYWHERE ELSE. A nice hotel, traditional colonial style, two swimming pools, good breakfast, excellent room service food, almost mosquito-free thanks to anti-mosquito measures they take. I got a rate of $110 plus 10% tax on their website. I didn't find a cheaper one elsewhere. I would NOT stay here again (because of the credit card fraud).

Unique Quality: My complaints would be 1) $20 for in-room wireless internet 8 hours (extortionate) 2) Laundry and minibar outrageously expensive 3) Not telling you in advance about the additional taxes (for the record they are 10% on any price they quote) 4) taxi drivers try to offer taking you to places privately (ie trying to cut out the hotel) - they all did it.

A Superb Hotel

I second what Tina-Perth and others have written about the Raffles LeRoyal Hotel. Landmark rooms are small but nicely furnished and very comfortable.

The gourmet French restaurant serves, well, a gourmet repast. Expensive by IndoChinese standards but well worth the cost. The less formal eatery -- with both indoor and outside seating -- serves an elaborate breakfast and decent meals all other times of day. (I killed a mosquito on my outdoors table one evening, the only such beastie I encountered in Cambodia.)

LeRoyal figures in many books about the 1975 Khmer Rouge take-over. Unlike other "historical hotels" -- the Rex in Saigon (HCMC), for example -- LeRoyal is worth a stay because of its location, its fine architecture, and its amenities.

Unique Quality: Nice grounds, nice pool, good restaurants, many amenities.

One caveat: A check-out clerk asked me if I wanted the hotel's car to take me to the airport. I asked how much. He said -- I thought -- fifteen dollars, added to my hotel bill. Since a junky taxi on the way in had cost $10, that seemed reasonable. I didn't check my bill till I was flying to Siem Reap. The ride wasn't "fifteen," but 50 -- US$50. I should have suspected something. The "car" was an eight-passenger BMW limousine, the most luxurious car I've ever been in. (The ultimate joke may be on the hotel, however. BMW, like Mercedes and most European cars, has a terrible repair record.)

Nice Guesthouse

Unique Quality: A nice terrace where meals are served

Nice Guesthouse

Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Raffles Hotel Le Royal is the premier hotel in Phnom Penh.

The hotel was first established in 1929 and enjoyed guests such as writers, journalists, royalty and many dignitaries.

The main building has been beautifully restored and refurbished to its original style and the 170 guest rooms, suites and apartments have been beautifully decorated with Cambodian style furnishings and art.

The rooms are spread over three separate interconnecting low-rise wings, set around the garden courtyard and swimming pools.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal has five restaurants and bars, ranging from traditional French and Khmer cuisine to the popular Elephant Bar, the cocktails here are amazing and 2 for 1 during happy hour.

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Related to: Business Travel, Spa and Resort, Luxury Travel

Raffles Hotel Le Royal

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