Sokha Angkor Resort, Cambodia

The landscape is a major feature of this 274-room city resort, located in the town of Siem Reap. From the formal avenues of Sugar Palms which line the hotel entry, the sourcing and planting of native Chheuteal forest trees and the Khmer sandstone carvings that flank the porte cochere area, to the temple inspired pavilions and Apsara dancers reflected in the main swimming pool, guests are constantly reminded that they are in The Kingdom of Cambodia. The nearby world heritage monuments at Angkor and in particular the famous Banteay Srei temple complex were important reference points during the landscape design, but of equal influence were the plants, local building materials, details and colours of rural Cambodia. Working closely with teams of local artisans and craftsmen was an important part in the process of creating a landscape for the hotel which evokes a strong sense of the history, culture and magic of Cambodia.