Cambodia is quickly becoming our home away from home. Only a 2 hour flight from Hong Kong, it’s very easy for us to visit for a few days or even a week. There’s something about Cambodia that really makes us feel like we are at home, and we certainly felt right at home at the iconic Raffles Le Royal hotel in the heart of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. I’m very selective about where I choose to stay with little bean, since travel can still be overwhelming for a child at her young age, but just wait to hear why I knew I made the perfect choice in Raffles Le Royal to visit with little bean.
Before we even checked in, we were warmly greeted at the airport by the hotel team that drove us with a toddler in tow through the busy streets of Phnom Penh to the grand dame close to Wat Phnom and Mekong River. Immediately upon arrival, little bean raced up the steps and into the lobby, where impressive statues of elephants filled the luxurious space. With elephants being one of her favorite animals, she was in absolute heaven admiring all the statues while mom and dad enjoying a refreshing drink on the elegant sofa. Oh yes, we were very much feeling right at home.
Okay let me share more about our 3-day visit to Raffles Le Royal. We visited in early October, which is right before the busiest tourist season. There’s less rain and less humidity, which makes spending time outdoors a bit less tough than the height of summer. We have been to Cambodia in August, September, and now October, which tends to be the less crowded months. After catching our breath in the lobby lounge, it was time to check in to our room.
We stayed in a Landmark King room with a pool view and small balcony, with a spacious crib provided for little bean. Even with the three of us, the room still had plenty of space, and it was located in the original 1929 building. Little bean was in awe at the very large bathtub, where she proceeded to take nightly baths with excitement. She also found an adorable Raffles bear in her crib, which she then proceeded to take with her everywhere in Hong Kong after our trip!
Raffles Le Royal is conveniently close to the royal palace and Wat Phnom, about 10 minutes by remork/tuk-tuk to the palace and 10 minutes by walking to the temple. We had already visited these two locations before with little bean, however we loved getting to visit those locations again now that she was another year older. She was excited to point out all the animal statues at the temple and the palace. She has also inherited my crazy cat lady blood, and she was enthralled to see royal cats roaming around the palace. She also enjoyed riding in a remork.
But even in October, the weather is hot and humid, and so after a morning of exploration, all little bean wanted to do in the afternoon was swim in Raffles Le Royal’s large swimming pools. After having lunch at Le Phnom 1929 and finally satisfying my lok lak craving, we made our way to the pool. With one pool designated for families and one designated for adults, it felt like we had our own swimming pool to ourselves since most were at the adult pool. The beau and I ordered passionfruit mocktails by the pool while little bean indulged in a fresh coconut.
One experience I was not expecting was afternoon tea with Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Chansita in the lounge. Yes, little bean enjoyed her first afternoon tea with a real life princess. Dressed in a floral dress like mommy, she happily munched away on scones and milk as I spoke with the princess about Cambodia’s history, the history of Raffles Le Royal, and Cambodian tourism while also encouraging her to bring her son to Hong Kong for a fun getaway. The princess, who is the official royal ambassador of Raffles Le Royal and Raffles Siem Reap, was extremely down to earth and very cordial, and even finding little bean’s typical toddler behavior entertaining. Little bean won’t remember she got to have afternoon tea with a such an extraordinary princess, but I will.
On our last evening, we donned ourselves in semi-formal attire and made our way to the famous Elephant Bar with the Raffles Le Royal team. The Elephant Bar features some pretty iconic drinks – the Femme Fatale that was created in 1967 for Jackie Kennedy, the Phnom Penh sling (which is the Cambodia version of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail), and the Elephant Bar’s very own Elephant Bar gin. While little bean sipped on apple juice, the grown ups got to enjoy some delicious cocktails.
After 3 magical days in Phnom Penh, it was time to say “see you again soon” to Raffles Le Royal because let’s face it – we will definitely be back again! From the moment we arrived, we were meticulously looked after, with everyone learning little bean’s name and saying hello to her whenever they saw her. Little bean began to think of everyone at Raffles Le Royal as her friend, including the elephant statues. Finding a luxury hotel that is extremely inviting for kids can be tricky, but in Raffles Le Royal it is the perfect choice if you’re looking for historical elegance in a city that is most certainly thriving upwards. We will be back.
Thank you to the Raffles Le Royal Phnom Penh team for partnering on this post. Although we were guests of Raffles Le Royal, all opinions are my own. All photos belong to The A List.
