Hotel Vellita Siem Reap

The city of Siem Reap is best known to overseas travelers as the gateway to Angkor. Thrilling as it is exploring ancient temples in the jungle, it’s important to consider where to recharge after a day of sightseeing in a tropical climate — and it stands to reason that the area’s best hotels are more like resorts. Hotel Vellita Siem Reap, set just outside of town, is no exception. This boutique hotel’s central feature is a generously sized free-form swimming pool surrounded by banana and palm trees, and its two open-air bars are strategically positioned, one poolside and the other on the rooftop, for refreshing post-tour cocktails.

Inside, Hotel Vellita’s rooms and suites are cool and spacious, with a sophisticated gray-and-white color palette, decorative tile floors, dark wood furniture, and original artwork by Cambodian artists. Suites come with comforts like private patios and four-poster canopy beds. The junior suite, notably, has a rare feature: a freestanding, egg-shaped tub at the foot of the bed, adjacent to built-in window seating overlooking views of the pool and gardens.

Traditional Khmer massages are on offer at the hotel’s spa, and the elegant, light-filled restaurant makes on-site dining effortless. All told, this hotel is designed for relaxation, and the all-local staff provide a particularly warm atmosphere. Come and go as often as you’d like from the nearby archaeological sites: they’re prepared with chilled towels and welcome drinks every time a guest sets foot inside the front door.