Several hotels in heritage buildings offer a unique stay immersed in history. Blending colonial and traditional architecture with modern comforts, these hotels provide a memorable way to experience Cambodia’s rich cultural past
In Cambodia, many of the country’s most distinctive hotels are housed in historic buildings that have been carefully adapted for modern hospitality. Former colonial villas, civic buildings, and grand old residences have been preserved and transformed through adaptive reuse. These heritage properties blend European architectural influence with traditional Khmer elements—think soaring ceilings, carved woodwork, and graceful facades. For travellers who value design and a strong sense of place, here is a list of heritage hotels that can be found around Angkor Wat, just steps from one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
The hotel features French Art Deco architecture combined with Khmer design elementsraffles_siemreap/Instagram
Opened in 1932, the hotel was designed by French urban planner Ernest Hébrard to accommodate early explorers and tourists visiting the Angkor Wat World Heritage site. Known as the “Grande Dame of Angkor,” the hotel has hosted many notable guests over the years, including Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Victor Goloubew, Princess Margaret, Lord Snowdon, Jacqueline Kennedy, Charles de Gaulle, Sultan Ibrahim Al-Masyhur, and Roger Moore. It is considered one of the few remaining colonial-era hotels in Asia and is recognised as an important part of Cambodia’s travel history.
The hotel merges French Art Deco architecture with traditional Khmer design elements, incorporating art, furnishings, wrought ironwork, encaustic cement floor tiles, and wide eaves supported by tiered concrete brackets. Its choice of materials is partly inspired by Angkor Wat, combining sandstone for visible surfaces with laterite for foundational and hidden structures.
Address: Khum, Preah Sihanouk Ave, Krong Siem Reap 17251, Cambodia
FCC Angkor By Avani
The hotel was once the Foreign Correspondents’ Clubfccangkorbyavani/Instagram
If these walls could talk, the building now known as FCC Angkor by Avani would have a lot to say—mostly about governors, journalists, and some seriously stylish design choices. Over its two-century saga, this gem played host to the bigwigs from not one, but two countries: Thailand and France. Originally, it was the French colonial governor’s digs, before transforming into the home base for the French Consul General.
Then came its days as the Siem Reap chapter of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (that’s the “FCC” you see in the name), where journalists and travellers swapped stories over drinks, typewriters clicked, and old-school radios buzzed with the latest scoop. Echoes of the colonial press linger in the hotel’s design, with vintage typewriters, antique radios, and classic rotary phones thoughtfully placed around the property.
Fast-forward to 2019, and the place got a major glow-up, reopening under the Avani Hotels & Resorts banner with a fresh but respectful nod to its colourful past.
The design also pays homage to the Angkor period of the Hindu-Buddhist Khmer Empire. Look closer, and you’ll spot local design flourishes stealing the show: rattan furniture and brass basins that whisper “handcrafted,” vintage mosaic tiles, silk upholstery, and miniature gongs adding a melodic touch.
Address: Next to the Royal Residence, Pokambor Ave, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Steung Siemreap Hotel
This is one of the few surviving structures from the colonial period in Siem Reap—offering a tangible connection to the city’s layered past. Its walls witnessed the rise of nearby landmarks like the Wat Preah Prom Rath Temple in the 1920s, anchoring the hotel within a rich cultural landscape. Built in the early 20th century, this charming hotel embodies hallmark features of the era’s design—soaring high ceilings that create an airy, spacious feel; tall, louvered wooden shutters that regulate light and ventilation; and broad verandas that provide welcome shade from the tropical sun. The building’s soft, pale yellow façade is particularly noteworthy, echoing a colour traditionally reserved for royal and official structures in France. Several original architectural details remain intact—from intricately carved wooden shutters framing the windows to decorative moldings that crown the ceilings. Though it may not match the grandeur of heritage hotels like the Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor, Steung Siemreap is rich in character and history. It is said that architects from the famed Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor once stayed here, linking Steung Siemreap to a broader narrative of architectural heritage in the region.
Address: St. 9, Angkor, Cambodia
Heritage Suites
The hotel reflects classic French colonial architectureheritagesuites/Instagram
Though not an authentic heritage building, Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap is worthy of recognition among the region’s heritage-style hotels for its elegant blend of French colonial charm and contemporary design. Featuring a grand colonial façade, the main building impresses with its colonial-inspired wood-and-steel construction, paired with modern touches. While newly built, the hotel reflects classic French colonial architecture, enriching Siem Reap’s diverse architectural scene. Adding to its appeal, Heritage Suites Hotel is listed in the MICHELIN Guide as a recommended hotel, evaluated on a 20-point scale based on post-stay ratings from verified MICHELIN Guide guests.
Address: Phum, Heritage road, Wat Polanka Rd, 93101, Cambodia
Park Hyatt Siem Reap
The Park Hyatt Siem Reap stands on the site of the former Hotel de la Paix, one of Siem Reap’s most recognised buildings since 1957. Designed by American architect Bill Bensley, the current structure thoughtfully reinterprets the original with a blend of Khmer architectural elements and art deco style. Hotel de la Paix was a central part of Siem Reap’s identity in the post-independence era, serving as a hub for visitors and locals alike for decades. The layout and design details echo themes from Angkor Wat and surrounding temple complexes, reinforcing its connection to the region’s architectural heritage.
Address: Sivutha Blvd, Krong Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia