Some hotels whisper their history. Raffles Hotel Le Royal, in the heart of Phnom Penh, lets it linger in the air — in the clink of glassware in the Elephant Bar, the scent of frangipani drifting through the courtyard, the quiet assurance of a place that has seen it all.
Built in 1929, this landmark has welcomed kings, correspondents and curious travellers for nearly a century. And while it carries the weight of that past with grace, it does so without pomp — offering instead a kind of low-key grandeur that suits both wide-eyed first-timers and seasoned returners, families included.
Colonial Comforts and Frangipani Afternoons
Our room, overlooking the gardens, felt like a colonial writer’s retreat — all high ceilings, vintage detailing, slow-turning ceiling fans and a clawfoot bathtub that quickly became our five-year-old daughter’s favourite feature. Quiet luxuries revealed themselves slowly: a butler ready with freshly brewed coffee, a rose-petal bath drawn upon request. This is indulgence without spectacle — calm, personal, and quietly attentive.
The hotel’s 175 rooms and suites were meticulously restored in 2019, their French colonial, Khmer and Art Deco elements revived in a way that feels both respectful and modern.
The grounds themselves are impossibly lush, with frangipani trees scenting the air and a sweeping lawn that leads to a shaded, palm-lined pool —a quietly elegant retreat made for slow starts and golden-hour swims — where the past is ever-present but never overbearing.
Elegant Indulgence for All Ages
One of the hotel’s strengths is the way it welcomes families without compromising its grown-up elegance. Staff were thoughtful and intuitive, offering fresh juice for our daughter at breakfast while we enjoyed Champagne and smoked salmon beneath rattan fans on the veranda. It was indulgent, but never overdone. Ans speaking of breakfast, the offering has recently moved to an à la carte format that invites a more leisurely start to the day, with fresh pastries and fruit presented from a roaming trolley before a generous selection of made-to-order dishes.
The hotel has also recently deepened its family offering with a series of thoughtful additions that feel entirely in keeping with its character. A long-anticipated children’s playroom has now been realised, set within a converted guest room and designed as a calm, creative retreat with an extensive selection of toys and a small library. Across the gardens, traditional lawn games — croquet, table tennis and skittles — are laid out beneath the palms, encouraging an easy, unstructured kind of play.
There’s also a small shopping arcade and history gallery to explore, plus a full wellness offering that includes the serene Raffles Spa, a well-equipped fitness centre and that picturesque outdoor pool. For a city-centre hotel, it’s remarkably peaceful — a real sanctuary from the buzz outside.
Sips, Stories and Signature Moments
Of course, no stay at Le Royal is complete without a visit to the iconic Elephant Bar, where the leather club chairs, dark wood panelling and vintage photographs create the kind of atmosphere you’d expect Graham Greene to haunt. We sipped the signature Femme Fatale cocktail — a tribute to Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1967 visit — while our daughter, content with her mango smoothie, arranged coasters into castles.
The hotel’s recently refreshed Writers Bar is also worth lingering in. With vintage typewriters and books on display, it’s an homage to the storytellers who once passed through Cambodia. The new ‘Signature Cocktails from the Pages of History’ menu draws inspiration from literary legends, while Champagne O’Clock (5–7pm daily) adds a touch of golden-age glamour. It’s the kind of place that quietly invites creativity — ideal for a reflective pause or even a spontaneous poem scrawled on a napkin.
Dinner at Restaurant Le Royal brings a different kind of occasion. Beneath a hand-painted ceiling, with candlelight and arched windows opening onto the gardens, the room feels quietly theatrical. The menu moves between royal Khmer recipes and more contemporary dishes, with small moments of theatre throughout — from the bread trolley to a classic crêpe suzette prepared tableside.
Timeless in Every Sense
In a city buzzing with energy and renewal, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is a quiet, timeless pause — one that embraces both heritage and hospitality with rare finesse. For families seeking something beyond the predictable, it’s a destination in its own right — and one we’ll hold in our memory, not just as a place to stay, but as a chapter in our own story.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal, 92 Rukhak Vithei, Phnom Penh 12302, Cambodia
