Everything Random

I did write some time ago that my favourite Phnom Penh Hotel is Penh House. But this time around, Plantation Urban Resort and Spa will likely take that top spot.

I was on a work trip for four days in Phnom Penh and wanted to be in a place that’s relaxing enough to temper the heavy workload for the week. The first night I stayed at a hotel that was a nightmare to me (sneezing because of the carpet, and then later bed bugs in the replacement room that kept me awake until dawn), that I moved to a new property the following day.

A friend recommended Plantation Urban Resort and Spa, and I was happy I decided to book the place while I was trying to drown the bed bug itch with bottle of beer.

The resort was just the way it was described in the website. It looks exactly the way the pictures look like in the website gallery – which is a plus factor in itself. Some websites oversell – then you get disappointed. This one is truth in advertising.

As soon as I entered the narrow gate, I was welcomed into a stunning lobby that exemplifies refined tropical elegance. The design seamlessly blends lush greenery, contemporary Cambodian architecture, and elegant water features.

Check-in was efficient. While check-in is normally 3 pm, I was lucky that my room was available at 1245 noon.

The Room

I got a room with a verandah that opens directly to the resort’s main pool in front of the restaurant. Spacious, thoughtfully designed, and filled with natural light. Stepping out from my private terrace into the cool water each morning felt like a personal luxury. The interior was designed with earth colours and muted elegance. Even the AC was positioned in a way that it does not directly blow cold air on your bed as you sleep.

The Restaurant

Breakfast at the restaurant in front of the main pool (and just a stone-throw away from my room) was a daily highlight. The buffet offered a generous variety of Western and local Cambodian options, prepared with fresh ingredients and artful presentation. Whether enjoying tropical fruits, pastries, or made-to-order eggs, the setting was just perfect to start your day. There was a time that I also ordered chicken green curry for dinner in the same restaurant, and it was the first time that I enjoyed chicken curry sans the coconut milk – just a concoction of spices pounded to perfection.

The Gallery

The resort feels like a gallery in itself – what with the artworks on display in every nook. But they do have a gallery in the lobby that features the work of Cambodia-based artists. While I was there, the Lotus Pond Gallery features the work of photographer Joaquin Barata, in an exhibition entitled Human Canvas: Portrait of Identity. It was stunning. The exhibition was carefully curated to portray not only photographs but vanishing histories and identities.

There is so much to write about the resort. As I close this essay, I offer you a parting shot – the tranquility of the resort at night. Just pure bliss in a city that sometimes go crazy noisy during the day.