The Kingdom of Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation about which nothing much was previously known of! Hidden from the tourist agenda due to its vary political setting, this little country that is bordered by Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east, Gulf of Thailand to the southwest and Thailand to the northwest, and is now a blossoming treasure chest of hidden history, temples, people and an exotic culture.
From the era where the mighty Angkor collapsed in 1431, the once spectacular and indomitable Khmer Empire has been used and depredated by its neighbours and foreign well wishers. Rich in natural resources and blessed with a strategic location in terms of geographical setting, this land exudes rivers, forests, paddy fields and agricultural potentials as well as a booming textile industry!
Though subtle in terms of what she has to offer, Cambodia is a treat for the traveller. Popular destinations include; Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the South West area of Sihanoukville hoss the celebrated virgin beaches dotted with resorts and hotels, the areas around Kep and Kampot with the inclusion of the Bokor Hill Station are all rusty and exotic places to visit and experience!
The sandstone temple of Beng Melea has from its discovery intrigued scholars and tourists alike, though exact history is not known, it is believed to have been built by Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple, with prevalent Buddhist. The courtyards and towers, entwined with little creepers and short trees, of which many of its stones have gone lose and are lying in heaps all about the place. Since lately there was no road leading up to this cultural embodiment, and thus was hard to reach. But now one has easy access via the Siem Reap by road.
Accommodations are varied and eloquent in this quite country. Contrary to general assumptions, hotels are dotted thought-out the country making it easy for travellers to see places and then ebb into their quiet spaces to unwind and relax. One of them being the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, it gives you the feel of residing in a temple, the ambience and stone muses create that quiet, serene rush of calmness that is so synonymous with the feeling one experiences when they enter the temples of Cambodia.
Spread across 15 acres of exotically landscaped gardens, this Siem Reap hotel offers old-world Cambodian opulence integrated with modern facilities and amenities. Situated a comfortable 8 kilometres away from the temple complexes, this luxury hotel Siem Reap is an ideal retreat for the culturally inclined souls!