Cambodia’s former royal residence, Amansara – which once hosted the visiting diplomats and aristocrats of King Sihanouk – reopened on 1 October 2023 following a regal renovation. As well as new culinary experiences and events to mark the occasion, it’s now even easier to link Aman’s fabled Angkor Wat retreat with Amantaka in Laos’ city of Luang Prabang thanks to a new direct flight from Vietnam Airlines. For the new season, Amantaka will also welcome guests with unique cultural festivals and wellness events, creating yet more reason to embark on an Indochina odyssey this year.
A NEW DAWN AT AMANSARA
Amansara reopened 1 October 2023 following a short seasonal closure revealing newly refurbished rooms and landscaped gardens. As part of the renovations, each room now enjoys the addition of an exterior daybed in its private courtyard – the perfect place to relax and reflect following a morning exploring nearby Angkor Wat – while inside, technology has been upgraded with additional lighting controls, smart toilets and new shower units ensuring the most seamless of stays. The in-room amenities have also been improved, with mini-bars and coffee and tea making facilities fully upgraded.
CULINARY HAPPENINGS
The hotel is also pleased to introduce its new Executive Chef, Sattar Seikh Rabul. The Chennai-born chef will bring an all-new Indian dining concept to The Restaurant – Amansara’s terraced dining destination – inspired by his grandmother’s recipes including seekh kebob, tandoori chicken tikka, lamb rogan josh and kulfi ice cream.
Also coming to the culinary scene will be a new healthy living menu, a specially curated children’s menu and updated international dishes, such as wagyu tomahawk with kampot pepper butter, grilled Australian grain-fed beef with chimichurri sauce and a Fisherman’s Basket with grilled Mekong lobster, local prawns, scallops and sea bass.
A NEW LINK TO AMANTAKA
In July 2023, Vietnam Airlines reinstated a lost link between the Cambodian city of Siem Reap and Luang Prabang in Laos with a 90-minute, thrice-weekly connection. Also easing the passage is Aman’s six-night Indochina Past & Present experience, split between Amansara and Amantaka, with airport transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea and a room upgrade included at both.
In Laos, activities at Amantaka include a temple and city tour in Luang Prabang, a 60-minute Lao Massage, a morning Alms Offering and a centuries-old Baci ritual, hosted by the hotel’s master of ceremonies. In Cambodia, Amansara experiences range from traditional tours and cycling excursions around Angkor’s Unesco-listed temples to a special breakfast at the Khmer Village House, a private curator-led Angkor Museum Tour, a Jasmine Blessing and a 60-minute Ort Preng massage.
CELEBRATE AT AMANTAKA
The slow-paced foothills of Mount Phousi will bristle into life this season as a new calendar of events unfolds at Amantaka. On 29 October 2023, locals will unite to mark Boun Awk Phansa – the celebration of the last day of Buddhist lent. Amantaka guests will join in the festivities with candle-lighting around temples, fireworks displays, street parades and the ceremony of Lai Heua Fai – where floating flower boats (known as krathongs) are released with incense and candles along the river, carrying bad luck away with them and bringing good fortune in their wake.
Special events for Amantaka guests include the chance to join a krathong-making masterclass and a first-light alms offering experience – or Sai Bat – to deliver gifts to Luang Prabang’s monks. For a change of pace, the Luang Prabang Half Marathon also takes place the day before on 28 October 2023, giving guests the chance to see the town from a different perspective and raise money for a local hospital.
TIME TO REFLECT IN LAOS
As winter takes hold across many corners of the world, a series of visiting practitioners at Amantaka offers the chance of end-of-year reflection and relaxation in warmer climes. Throughout November, meditation master, Nun MeaKao Si, will be in residence with the chance for guests to initiate or improve their mindfulness and meditation practice.
Dr Buathon Thienarrom will be in residence, from 2-15 December 2023, to share her wealth of expertise in Alternative Medicine, Taoist Practice and Tibetan Medicine. Designed to promote the harmonious integration of Body, Mind and Spirit in pursuit of optimal health, guests can enjoy a series of three private 90-minute healing sessions customised to release unnecessary energy and restore new focus.
From 20 December to 31 January, Vijaya Goyal, specialist in yoga and holistic therapies, will also be offering an array of treatments from holistic touch therapy, cranio-sacral therapy to tarot card reading and breathe work at Amantaka. All treatments are tailored to each guest to release and relax body and mind.
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