Exotissimo News Blog

In October 2008, Siem Reap welcomed a new addition, the Ree Hotel. This new deluxe 4-star hotel is located on the National Road No.6 between the airport and the nearby city centre. All the 128 guest rooms, deluxe rooms and suites are elegantly decorated with unique hand-made carpets, embroidered bed linen and contemporary furniture. Rooms are bright with high-speed wireless internet connections and LCD flat-screen televisions that sport comprehensive cable television coverage. The hotel facilities include a meeting room, gym, spa, massage treatments, swimming pool, restaurant and bar.

One of the latest additions to the dining scene in Phnom Penh, the Van’s Restaurant serves fine French cuisine in colonial ambiance. Located in the city center near the Tonle Sap River and Wat Phnom, the restaurant is set in the restored colonial building that used to house the Indochina Bank. Diners can dine alfresco or in the air-conditioned interior. It is a popular dining venue for FITs and groups.

Be transported back in time with “The Legend of Angkor Wat: When History Comes to Life”, an extravagant display of traditional music and dance combined with spectacular special effects. During the event, guests can also tuck into a sumptuous dinner while the story-telling and unique Apsara dances unfold.

The show will run from 5 December 2008 to 31 January 2009 on the grounds of the Angkor Wat. The performances are nightly except for Sundays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The ticket prices range from 60 USD per person (standard seat) to 80 USD per person (premium seat) with an additional 25 USD for international buffet. For more information, please contact our tour operators at cambodia@exotissimo.com.

This month, we are pleased to present Thmor Roung Waterfall, a new site just officially opened to visitors. It is located in the Kompong Seila district of Koh Kong province, about 123km from Phnom Penh. The Thmor Roung Waterfall is an ideal place to visit for people travelling overland between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville / Koh Kong. This waterfall has four levels and we recommend the 1- 2km jungle trek from the 3rd step upstream to the 2nd and 1st step, also known as Thmor Roung (Cave). Along the way, there are huts for visitors to relax in and a small local restaurant. Please contact cambodia@exotissimo.com to book this tour.

Dating back to the Angkorian period, the annual Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) is the most exuberant occasion in the Cambodian calendar. Held over a three-day period during the first full moon of November, the festival marks the reversal of currents in the Tonle Sap River and represents a thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing livelihood to the people. In Phnom Penh, many Cambodians flock to the river banks to watch the traditional boats race. In the evening, illuminated boats cruise along the river and complement the nightly fireworks display.
The Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, in collaboration with the National Committee for National and International Festivals, will arrange complimentary seats for visitors who would like to witness this event. Please contact us at cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

On 26 October 2008, Siem Reap Airways started daily flight services to Saigon. The new Saigon – Siem Reap - Saigon route serves the growing flight demand between the major tourist and commercial centres in Cambodia.

The Grand Champassak Hotel is opening in Pakse in October. This 12-storey deluxe hotel boasts of 216 rooms and features a Chinese restaurant, a coffee house, a lobby bar, a shopping arcade and an outdoor swimming pool. For business travellers, the main conference hall seats approximately 1500 people and the function can accommodate up to 150 guests. The hotel is situated right by the Mekong River.

The owners of Pavillon Indochine and Café Indochine have inaugurated the new boutique Pavillon d’Orient in Siem Reap. Conveniently located along the road to the airport, the Pavillon is a colonial style mansion surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Both Cambodian and European dishes are available at the Le Planteur restaurant. The hotel also features an infinity pool filled with salted water and a full-serviced spa. The 18 rooms are fitted with modern amenities and individual terraces overlooking the pool.

A quad ride is a fascinating way to explore the countryside of Siem Reap. With excellent safety procedures, well-maintained equipments and professional staff, Quad Adventure Cambodia has established itself as a respected business enterprise. Tours vary from short sunset tours of 8km to full day excursions. Special trips such as countryside picnics, sunset cocktails and visits to the outlying temples of Roulous and Vat Atvea can be arranged. The most popular sunset tour leads guests to the paddy fields in the outskirts, where they can enjoy a glass of wine and the last rays of light against a picturesque backdrop of the palm trees and Kulen hills. With a seating capacity of two, a quad ride makes a fun and adventurous way to explore Siem Reap!

Luxury river cruises are a novel way to explore the mighty Mekong River. Sailing to untouched parts of the river, these deluxe boats allow passengers to observe the local ways of life while relaxing in the comfort of a floating boutique hotel. Here are some luxury boats that ply the waters in Mekong Delta.

The Mekong Pandaw and Tonle Pandaw are long-time favourites that sail the Mekong River between Saigon and Siem Reap. Built and designed as replicas of colonial river steamers, both boutique ships are serviced by crews of mixed Asian nationalities. The ships also feature spacious cabins, wide promenade decks for relaxation and excellent dining and drinking options onboard. Combining luxury and comfort, both Pandaws offer unique opportunities to explore the tapestry of life and fascinating sites along the Mekong. Daily shore excursions are conducted by expert local guides.

Meanwhile, the Bassac II will expand its cruise service to Phnom Penh along Mekong River this October. For upstream trips to Phnom Penh, passenger can board the boat at Cai Be (three nights) or along the way in Can Tho (two nights). Similarly, the downstream journey starts from Phnom Penh and reaches Can Tho (two nights) and Cai Be (three nights). The Bassac II is entirely made of go sao, a rare quality Vietnamese wood. It can accommodate up to 24 passengers within the 12 cabins fitted with air-con and en-suite bathrooms. The ship also features a restaurant, a bar and a wide upper deck that is suitable for dinners and parties. The Bassac II boasts of modern amenities and comes equipped with the necessary safety features.

Come end July 2009, the Jayavarman is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage on the Mekong. Operated by the Heritage Line Cruise Company, the Jayavarman is a 60-m deluxe river boat that is built to the elegant fusion of French colonial and Indochine designs. The spacious boat consists of 27 cabins and 800m² of social space. Calling on various ports along the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, the Jayavarman has various river itineraries ranging from one to seven nights.