For nearly a century, Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap have stood as living witnesses to Cambodia’s remarkable history. Built during the early decades of the 20th century, both were conceived as beacons of refinement for a new era of travel in Cambodia. Today, they remain enduring monuments to the country’s heritage, blending architectural grandeur with the timeless art of hospitality.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal – The Grande Dame of Phnom Penh
When Raffles Hotel Le Royal opened its doors in 1929, Phnom Penh was a young capital in transformation. French architect Ernest Hébrard, known for his urban master plan of the city, designed the hotel to blend French colonial style with traditional Khmer architecture. At the heart of this new vision stood a grand hotel intended to host visiting dignitaries, explorers, and members of the royal family — the future Raffles Hotel Le Royal.
The hotel’s opening was presided over by King Sisowath Monivong, establishing a royal connection that continues to this day. Upon completion, it was the tallest building in Phnom Penh. Its elegant façade and manicured courtyards made it an instant symbol of prestige, soon becoming the preferred address for diplomats, writers, and world travellers.
Even through Cambodia’s most challenging periods, Le Royal remained standing — a silent witness to the country’s turbulent history. Following years of neglect, a major refurbishment in 1996 revived the property to its original splendour. Its walls were repainted in the signature lotus-white hue, the same shade that adorned the hotel in 1929, and its interiors were restored with care to preserve the classic high ceilings, teak floors, and marble bathrooms that once defined colonial sophistication.
Today, Raffles Hotel Le Royal remains the beating heart of Phnom Penh’s heritage, offering guests the chance to experience the same gracious atmosphere that once captivated the city’s most celebrated visitors.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – The Gateway to Timeless Angkor
Three years after Le Royal’s debut, the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap welcomed its first guests in 1932, when the town was still a small provincial outpost on the edge of one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders.
At that time, the rediscovery of Angkor Wat by French explorers such as Henri Mouhot had sparked worldwide fascination, and adventurous travellers began arriving in search of the lost temples of the Khmer Empire. The Grand Hotel was built to welcome this new wave of visitors, offering the refinement of 1930s French Art Deco style with local influences, echoing the grand hotels of the Riviera but adapted for the tropical setting of Cambodia.
It offered spacious rooms, private balconies, and modern bathrooms, luxuries that were rare in Asia at the time. The property quickly became a central meeting place for archaeologists, diplomats, and high-society travellers arriving to explore the temples.
One of the hotel’s most distinctive features, its original timber elevator, still in use today, is the oldest lift in Indochina, having carried generations of explorers and dignitaries to their suites.
Through Cambodia’s many transformations, the Grand Hotel d’Angkor endured. In 2019, a comprehensive restoration brought it fully into the modern era while preserving its soul. The original Art Deco motifs, terrazzo floors, and hand-carved balustrades were lovingly restored, ensuring that every corner still speaks of its illustrious past. These days, the Grand Hotel stands as both a luxurious retreat and a historical landmark, offering travellers the same sense of wonder that once drew the world to Angkor.
Where Heritage Becomes Hospitality
Together, these two Raffles hotels form a living link between Cambodia’s royal past and its vibrant present. Each has survived decades of change and renewal, preserving not only architectural heritage but also the spirit of gracious service that has defined Raffles for nearly a century.
They stand as reminders that true hospitality is not defined by trends, but by the ability to preserve beauty, memory, and meaning across generations.
Travel Back in Time with our ‘Cambodia à l’Époque‘
To journey through both of these legendary hotels and discover the soul of Cambodia along the serene Lower Mekong River, explore the Cambodia à l’Époque package by Heritage Line.
This exclusive experience combines stays at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and Raffles Hotel Le Royal with a cruise from Siem Reap – Phnom Penh. It is a voyage through time, culture, and living history. A chance to relive the golden age of Indochina in modern comfort.
Discover the Cambodia à l’Époque package here.
