The Balé Phnom Penh by LifestyleRetreats

The idea of a minimalist, modernist luxury resort in some idyllic Asian coastal locale isn’t a new one. But the success of a hotel like The Balé Phnom Penh depends less on the element of surprise and more on pure execution. And on that score this one, like its older sister in Bali, is just about faultless; the design achieves the Zen simplicity it’s aiming for, and the physical comforts of the place ensure that you’re never shaken out of the blissful state that the architecture has induced.

It starts from the dramatic arrival, over a stone walkway that seems to float above a black-bottomed pool. And it carries on in the suites, each of which spans a palatial 100 square meters, with views over a central courtyard or the waters of the Mekong River. Inside, the design is restrained, elegant, the focus on tactile pleasures and such prosaic charms as butler service and in-room espresso machines.

The restaurant provides contemporary updates on classic Khmer dishes, and they’re happy to share their knowledge — cooking classes begin with a trip to the local market followed by an intensive session back at The Balé. Meanwhile the spa and wellness center offer everything from traditional Khmer massage to personal-training sessions in the gym. And while you’re nominally in Phnom Penh, which makes travel a snap, the location, well outside the center of town, gives you a taste of a secluded idyll by the side of the Mekong river.