Everything Random

Hands-down, this is my favorite resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

There is something magical about this place. Maybe it’s the luxurious serenity that the place offers or the warmth of its people, but from the moment you set foot on its majestic entrance, complete with all the beautiful Khmer decor and statues, you know you are in for something great.

I choose this place as a base for our Angkor Wat temple visits. The place is quite a distance from the city center, that it assures you of uninterrupted silence, morning noon and nighttime.

Mane Hariharalaya‘s architecture is distinctively Khmer, with wood and stone as a key feature and water, ponds, and lakes all over punctuated by cogon grasses, bougainvilleas, and shrubs of various kinds.

We are staying in a pool villa, with our veranda facing east, for a good morning sunrise meditation area, and the outdoor pool facijg west, with a view of the one hectare or so lake. The villa is designed as if on stilts, and everything is in wood except for the bathroom floor.

Food is good. We got a half-board arrangement (free breakfast and dinner) plus a complimentary afternoon tea everyday. I know. Very fancy. The choices are wonderfully curated, a fusion of local ingredients – from fish and poultry, to fruits and vegetables.

I sincerely love this place and will surely come back when time allows. Despite the rustic village charm that characterises its surroundings, it also boasts of the modern conveniences of a freshwater pool, a gym, a spa, and a nice meeting room. Perfect. Just perfect.