One of the very best antidotes to the hustle and bustle of Cambodia’s capital must surely be a retreat to the ultra-luxurious Rosewood Phnom Penh. Ong Chin Huat checks into this extraordinary property to relax and experience first-class Cambodian hospitality.
Arriving at the Rosewood Phnom Penh or, indeed, to the Cambodian capital is a sensory experience that must be experienced first-hand. With historic attractions such as the Royal Palace, the Buddhist temple Wat Phnom, and the National Museum, these exquisite examples of Khmer architecture blend harmoniously with more modern edifices dotted around this sprawling and bustling Southeast Asian city.
Phnom Penh is not as crowded as Bangkok or as chaotic as Saigon. It sits comfortably along the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. It exudes a dignified charm mixed in with a combination of local customs and remnants of its French colonial past.
A perfect way to experience all this is a walk or ride on a tuk-tuk through one of the street markets in the city, where the sights, sounds, smells and sensations of modern-day Phnom Penh engage all your senses. And in this city of just over 2.5 million people, one of the best places to retreat and recharge from the heat and humidity – not to mention the haggling and bargaining if shopping is your thing – must the Rosewood Phnom Penh.
Situated on the top 14 floors of the ultra-modern Vattanac Capital Tower with the shopping mall attached below, this luxurious oasis in the city pays homage to the warmth of the Cambodian people charged with the efficient hospitality of the Rosewood brand.
After a warm welcome in the lobby on the 35th floor, I was brought to my Grand Premier room, which had sweeping views of the city on one side and the Mekong on the other.
Decorated in a harmonious palette of earthy tones, this spacious 667-square-foot corner room is ideal for a single traveller who craves spaciousness or a couple.
Tasteful Khmer artwork and artefacts placed around the room gave it a contemporary vibe, blending Eastern exoticism with Western modernity.
Lunch was at Iza, a Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant helmed by Thai Chef de Cuisine Kaewhirom, who prepared a special lunch menu for us consisting of Cold and Hot Appetizers, a Main Course with additional sides and dessert.
Opting for the Tempura Moriawase with deep-fried Tiger prawns, the Ninniku Ramen with a creamy pork broth, garlic oil and Chashu pork belly with homemade Matcha Green Tea ice cream as dessert, this satiating lunch was just right. It didn’t cause any afternoon slump, which was just as well because a city tour on Rosewood’s signature rework was planned for the afternoon.
Sundowners at the Sora Bar, which also happens to be the highest sky bar in Phnom Penh, are an occasion not to be missed. It’s an occurrence to savour and relish in every sense of the word. Perched on a cantilevered terrace on the 37th floor, Sora, which means sky in Japanese, is where the city’s sleek and chic congregate after hours and on weekends to relax and refuel.
Its drinks menu is inspired by Japanese folklore and legends, where mythical creatures like dragons, kitsunes, and tanukis bring cocktails to supernatural life. Infused with local Cambodian ingredients and garnishing, a drink at the Sora Bar not only provides a smooth transition from day to night but also gives you an inkling of how the evening will unfold at the Rosewood.
Ascending to the 38th floor for dinner at Cuts, Rosewood’s steak and seafood grill is something to look forward to and not to be taken lightly, as its menu is heavy-duty. With multiple culinary awards under its belt, this handsome grill room is divided into four sections: casual dining, the grill room, dining suites, and the wine vault.
Comfortably ensconced in one of the private dining suites and seated on plush leather chairs, we feasted on a specially curated menu of Octopus Carpaccio with Chorizo Crumble, slow-cooked Bangalow pork served with Carrot Purée, Toasted Cauliflower and Confit Onion, Lamb Wrapped in Mushroom and Spinach with Roasted Shallots and Dukkah, Grass-fed Australian Beef Flank with foie gras and Strawberry Cass Tart.
Specialising in hand-cut artisanal meats such as the Tajima Australian Wagyu Beef and the Mayura Station Full-Blood Wagyu Tomahawk, don’t overlook other mouth-watering non-meat options such as the Whole Poached Canadian Lobster, Australian Lamb Rack or the Sole Fillets because they too, deserve special mention and a place in your tummy!
An extensive wine collection featuring over 3,00 wine bottles made up of over 250 varieties ensures that any gourmand will be spoilt for choice at best and won’t get thirty at worst!
An early morning wakeup call was the order of the day as we were visiting the Vattanac Golf Resort, located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh and about an hour’s drive away.
Owned by the same owners of the Rosewood, golf enthusiasts will be suitably impressed with this well-equipped 5-star resort designed by golfing legend Sir Nick Faldo.
Divided into two courses—the East and West Course, each with 18 holes—Vattanac is undoubtedly the most prestigious golf course in Cambodia.
It boasts a golf academy with Trackman technology, a driving range powered by Eagle Try Technology, PGA teaching professionals, indoor golf simulators, custom-fit equipment, VIP rooms, a restaurant overlooking the driving range, seven tea houses strategically located around the sprawling course for refreshments, and a majestic pavilion available for private usage and rental for weddings, events, and special occasions.
Trying my hand on the state-of-the-art driving range, my swing vastly improved even though I hadn’t gripped a golf club in over a decade. Thanks to Rory Tinker, a PGA Golf Professional and full-time instructor at Vattanac, I managed to continually hit the ball more than 100 yards, which was no mean feat considering the soaring temperatures during the day!
Managed by Troon Golf, the world’s largest professional golf club management company, Vattanac Golf Resort also offers Dragon Turn Night Golf, which is available daily from 4.30 pm and was voted the world’s best 9-hole course at the 2021 World Golf Awards.
Feeling famished after all that swinging, lunch at one of the refreshing tea houses was a delightful affair, especially when the chef specially prepared Cambodian favourites such as Golden Spring Rolls and Beef Lok Lak, a local dish made with Australian beef tenderloin and served with steamed jasmine rice.
Back at the Rosewood, an appointment at Sense (below), the hotel’s spa, was a welcomed treat, especially after a gruelling day on the golf course. Utilising ancient Khmer healing remedies, I opted for the Phnom Penh Signature Body Massage, a decision I didn’t regret.
With spices like turmeric, lemongrass and Ponlei blended into the massage oil, the aroma of the so-called “Lost Remedies” of Khmer traditional medicine – a form of naturopathy using natural ingredients such as roots, barks, leaves and herbs to enable the body to heal and maintain itself – made me drift off onto cloud nine as my therapist pummelled and massaged the tight knots and tensed muscles in my body.
Employing a combination of Khmer, Swedish, and deep tissue massage, I felt renewed and restored as the tension and stresses in my body melted away. As an added bonus, I was treated to an expert manicure by Bastien Gonzalez at the Cure Studio (below), making my nails shine naturally.
Dinner at Zhan Liang (below), located in the basement of the glitzy Vattanac Capital Mall adjacent to the hotel, is a gastronomic journey into the wonders of fine Chinese cuisine. The offerings in this beautifully appointed restaurant encompass signature Cantonese, Sichuan, and Northern Chinese dishes.
From the Marinated Goose Wings and Crispy Cucumber served as appetisers to the Shanghainese Xiao Long Bao Pork Dumplings and the nourishing Double-Boiled Matsutake Mushroom Soup with Chinese Ham and Black Chicken, our dinner in the private dining room, complete with a karaoke set-up and seating area, got off to a fantastic start.
Fast forward 14 courses later—among them Roasted Cantonese Chicken, Pan-fried Goat Meat, and Braised Pork Trotters with Noodles followed by Ginger Tea Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls for dessert.
The only way the night could have ended on a higher note was to indulge in a nightcap on the sky deck of Sora Bar with their talented house DJ Haruna spinning 80s chill-out tunes!
For further information about the Rosewood Phnom Penh, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com.
For further information about the Vattanac Golf Resort, please visit www.vattanacgolfresort.com.