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Once a residence for guests of the King, Amansara is a masterpiece of 1960’s New Khmer architecture on the edge of Angkor, the former capital city of the Khmer Empire. With international flights to Cambodia having resumed, and the famed temples of Angkor Wat quiet and void of crowds, there is no better time to visit the region, with the rare opportunity to discover one of the world’s most magnificent Unesco World Heritage Sites in peace and solitude.
Harnessed by a tree-lined canopy, the resort’s 24 suites, manicured gardens and hidden lap pool serve as a magnificent backdrop for exploration of Cambodia’s historic riches, where guests have privileged access to the world’s largest temple complex. To explore this unique setting, Amansara offers multiple modes of fitting transport including three-wheel remorks (moped-powered trishaws), open-top Jeeps and custom motorboats where adventures to forgotten ruins and floating villages await.
On property, Amansara’s restaurant is the resort’s gathering place where, beneath a grand domed ceiling, chefs pay homage to authentic Khmer cuisine. The daily changing menus focus on locally sourced produce and incorporate ancient Angkor superfoods including lotus seeds and lotus root, kaffir lime, moringa leaves and turmeric. Alternatively, unforgettable private dining is offered in several unique locations including a traditional stilted village-house overlooking the 10th-century royal reservoir of Srah Srang – a nod to the property’s remarkable past. Romantic private picnics in the countryside, private cruises on the Amanbala motorboat across the Tonlé Sap Lake or an exclusive Cambodian feast in the 10th-century Angkor temple of Prasat Kravan, lit by 1,000 candles can also be arranged.
Further dining experiences include a Khmer home-cooking class, where traditional techniques focus on the resort’s ‘farm-to-table’ and charcoal cooking concepts and by night, guests can end the day on Amansara’s rooftop terrace; a spot for reflection as day turns to dusk in this culturally restorative setting.
The ancient Khmer values of wellbeing, health and traditional healing resonates today more than ever and translates into Amansara’s approach to wellness. Imbued with a sense of spiritual tranquility, the spa, with its four treatment rooms and a dedicated yoga studio, is a welcome retreat where a menu of therapies interweaves Khmer healing traditions with Aman’s own organic blends. A programme of movement and meditation sessions is accompanied by activities such as Forest Walking Meditation to elevate the spirit while a walking meditation brings the power of relaxation into everyday life guided by Monk Nen, one of Angkor’s master monks, and ideal for those looking to reduce stress or elevate their mindfulness practice to the next level.
The resort also presents a range of curated stays for the year ahead that showcase the best of the region. Known as the Atlantis in the Jungle, Angkor teems with ancient secrets which can be uncovered with the Discover Angkor offer. Staying for four-nights, guests will benefit from daily excursions to the temples of Angkor Wat, where the crowds of tourists are yet to return, giving the feeling of having the sites all to oneself. Further experiences include a traditional Khmer breakfast at Amansara’s Village House in Angkor Archaeological Park, a spiritual water blessing with a Buddhist monk, a private visit to Conservation D’Angkor museum and a day trip to the remote temples of Beng Melea and Koh Ker. The package also offers daily breakfast and choice of lunch or dinner, afternoon tea, laundry, private airport transfers from Siem Reap Airport and remork transportation within Siem Reap town, providing ample opportunity to explore and fully appreciate the resort’s serene setting.
Alternatively, the Spiritual Angkor package is well suited to those seeking an escape centred around holistic wellness, spirituality and the art of relaxation. Over the course of their four-night stay, guests will learn how to experience the present moment by becoming fully immersed in Khmer and Buddhist culture. Experiences include a water blessing with a Buddhist monk, Khmer bath therapy, a hot herbal compress massage, a forest bathing experience, a monk-led forest meditation, a holistic healing session and an evening talk on the principles of Buddhism. Two excursions to the Angkor Wat temples with English speaking guide are also included alongside daily breakfast, afternoon tea, a choice of lunch or dinner, laundry, private airport transfers from Siem Reap Airport and remork transportation within Siem Reap town.