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Golden Temple Residence in Siem Reap is a golden experience.
Our awesome experience with the Golden Temple Residence in Siem Reap, Cambodia, began well before we ever arrived at the property. I booked this property on a wing and a prayer…it hadn’t yet opened, but I got an amazing rate with some outstanding add-ons. So, based on artist renderings of what the completed hotel would look like and reviews of other establishments in the chain, I took my chances and booked.
Pro tip: When possible, check out photos of the hotel by other travelers. They tell it like it really is, as opposed to professional photos that have been tweaked to look amazing.
Immediately upon receiving my booking, I was contacted by the hotel’s guest services to offer me a personalized concierge experience. I began working with my designated contact to develop a complete itinerary. All of the arrangements were made for me, including a cooking class, sunset quad tour, and a driver for Angkor Wat.
Pro tip: Ask guest services to help arrange local activities. I simply sent them a list of things we wanted to do in Siem Reap, and they took care of our entire schedule at no extra charge.
Upon arrival at the Siem Reap airport, we were met by a Golden Temple Residence guest services representative, the lovely and sweet Kanaka. She provided some personal insight into Cambodia during our complimentary shuttle ride to the hotel and ensured we were well cared for during our entire stay.
And I can’t say enough about how amazing our stay was. From the moment you arrive, you are surrounded by stunning decor and the smiling faces of half a dozen staff who are more than eager to ensure you have an extraordinary time in their country. They gave us cold towels so we could cool off from the extreme heat, as well as a sweet tea drink and some tasty local treats, while we waited for Kanaka to check us in.
There are only about two dozen suites in the entire hotel, and there are easily as many staff. As a result, every guest has a truly personalized experience. Each oversize suite is adorned with classic decor that is complimented with traditional Khmer art. It’s simple, tasteful, clean, and luxurious. I was celebrating a milestone birthday, and our spacious room was filled with helium balloons and a rose-petal birthday greeting on the bed. Later, the guest services team brought me a cake—it was a wonderful surprise and a delightful treat!
The wait staff in the restaurant were fast and friendly, and the food was delicious. The pool area is serene and inviting—the perfect place to cool off after a morning exploring the temples or markets. The wait staff gets to know your order pretty quickly and will take special care to make sure you are always well hydrated. And the spa is divine. We had a massage included in the price of our package, but the rates were so good, we treated ourselves to a second one the next day.
If you’re hoping to take in a cultural song and dance show, you need not look any further than your own backyard. Every evening, the Golden Temple Residence puts on an Aspara show that is a real treat—we were even invited onstage after the show to meet the dancers and take pictures. We also participated in an afternoon cooking class hosted by Bora, the hotel’s sous chef. Early in the morning he toured us through Siem Reap’s old market, showing us the ingredients we would be using to cook our gourmet meal. Later, he led us through a fun and informative class. I would recommend this experience to anyone staying at the hotel.
In addition to the extraordinary staff and five-star decor, the location of Golden Temple Residence is second-to-none. Two minutes to the left, and you are in the night market. Two minutes straight ahead, and you are on Pub Street. And two minutes past that takes you to the old market. What more can you ask for? I have traveled all over North America and Europe, as well as parts of Africa, and this may just rank as the best hotel experience I have ever had.
Do you have a hotel in Cambodia you would recommend? Share your ideas in the comments.