Discovering Phnom Penh from new heights—with a five-year-old in tow
By the time the lift doors open on the 35th floor, Phnom Penh has all but disappeared. Up here, in the upper tiers of Cambodia’s tallest tower, the pace slows and the air shifts. Rosewood Phnom Penh is the city’s most rarefied stay— a retreat suspended above the noise.
Opened in 2018 atop the striking Vattanac Capital Tower, the hotel has become a marker of the city’s creative and culinary evolution. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear this is not a hotel concerned with spectacle for spectacle’s sake, but one deeply rooted in context, community, and contrast. We checked into Rosewood Phnom Penh last month with our five-year-old in tow—and left convinced it might just be the most unexpectedly perfect city break for culturally curious families.
Skyline Calm, City Soul
Guest rooms begin on the 25th floor and climb skywards—each one a subtle layering of local craft, international polish, and meditative calm. Ours looked west, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing incredible sunsets over the bustling city. Inside, Cambodian textiles, carved timber, and silk panels nod to heritage. A marble soaking tub sits beneath the view. Above, on the 35th floor, the Sky Lobby offers a hushed retreat with one of the most impressive fireplaces in all of Asia.
For Families Who Travel Differently
This is not the kind of hotel you might immediately associate with travelling as a family, and yet younger guests are graciously welcomed through its Rosewood Explorer’s programme. There’s a well-stocked playroom and families can enjoy a charming treasure hunt that encourages children to explore the property hunting for artworks. At the spa, a special menu of children’s treatments includes an elegant manicure—our daughter delighted at having her nails painted 33 floors high.
A Culinary Ascent
Mornings begin at Brasserie Louis, the hotel’s French-Khmer restaurant, across a skyline that stretches for miles. Guests enjoy a vibrant semi buffet with freshly blended smoothies and juices, tropical fruits, cold cuts, and an excellent bakery selection—before ordering from a tightly curated à la carte menu. Khmer staples like Bay Sach Chrouk (grilled pork with rice and pickles) and Kuy Teav Sach Kor (noodle soup with rich pork broth and sliced beef) sit confidently alongside Western favourites like buckwheat crêpes or eggs on rye. Our daughter kept it simple with waffles and warm milk.
The hotel is home to an eclectic array of dining and drinking venues, each with its own distinct flair. Brasserie Louis offers refined French-Khmer comfort food, while Iza is a buzzy Japanese izakaya with a robata grill and omakase counter. Cuts, a sleek steak and seafood grill, impresses with panoramic views, and Sora—named in the World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list—draws a stylish crowd with crafted cocktails and sweeping skyline vistas. Zhan Liang presents elevated Cantonese and regional Chinese cuisine in a fine-dining setting, and Butterfly Patisserie tempts with artisanal cakes and pastries. The Living Room serves as an elegant all-day lounge, home to the signature Butterfly Afternoon Tea and live piano performances. Rounding out the offering is the Whisky Library, an intimate hideaway for rare single malts and quiet conversation.
Culture Above the Clouds
There’s plenty to do without leaving the hotel. Rosewood Phnom Penh’s in-house gallery curates a quietly compelling art programme, spotlighting some of Cambodia’s most exciting contemporary talent. Exhibitions rotate year-round, balancing solo shows with collaborative works by both local and international artists. During our stay, ROMA – Subconscious Square Roots by French-Italian artist Romain Garzonnio was on view—an introspective journey through memory and texture, shaped by his years in Cambodia. Next up: Art Meets Food, a sensory pairing from Nou Sary and Sothea Seng, opening in July Out and about in Phnom Penh, we visited several rising fashion houses and galleries, many of whom pointed to Rosewood as a cultural anchor—known not just for its art but for regularly hosting fashion shows, exhibitions, and events that champion the city’s creative scene.
Wellbeing with a Local Pulse
Wellness here is similarly rooted in authenticity. Sense, A Rosewood Spa, offers treatments inspired by Khmer healing traditions. It’s also home to Cambodia’s first and only Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez—an exclusive partnership with the World’s Best Nail Studio Brand, as recognised by the World Spa Awards. Gonzalez, known for his holistic approach to hand and foot care, blends medical precision with spa indulgence—his signature “Révérence de Bastien” treatments are as restorative as they are refined.
Beyond the spa, mornings might begin with a riverside jog arranged by the concierge or a guided ride through Phnom Penh’s early markets and monasteries—chauffeured in the hotel’s custom-designed private tuk tuk. Complimentary drop-offs within a 2.5km radius are included—and yes, this is without a doubt the most luxurious tuk tuk in Cambodia. There’s also a sunlit 22-metre lap pool, a skyline-facing gym open 24 hours, and personal trainers on hand.
The Verdict
Rosewood Phnom Penh is that rare city hotel that manages to feel both elevated and deeply grounded. It’s luxurious without being aloof, family-friendly without compromise, and culturally engaged in ways that feel meaningful rather than performative. Whether you’re here for a long weekend or a longer stay, with kids in tow or travelling solo, this vertical sanctuary invites you to see Phnom Penh from a new perspective—this hotel has firmly secured its sense of place in this fascinating and fast-developing city.
Cathay Pacific offers direct flights to Phnom Penh with a flight duration of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Rosewood Phnom Penh, Vattanac Capital Tower, Monivong Boulevard, 66, 12021, Cambodia
- Lead image is Sora Sky Deck
