I am addicted to Aman, this is my 10th Aman.
The reason is that recently there have been more direct flights to Siem Reap in the country, and we feel that we should update a comprehensive guide to Angkor Wat so that everyone can use it as a reference when visiting Angkor Wat.
Siem Reap is a city with Aman (Aman Sara), and as an Aman enthusiast, I naturally do not want to miss any Aman.
Aman Sara is a legend.
The predecessor of the hotel was built in the 1960s (completed on July 11, 1963) and was designed by French architect Laurent Mondet.
This was once the guest villa of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, used to host dignitaries and ambassadors from various countries visiting Cambodia. De Gaulle and Kennedy both stayed here.
Sihanouk, everyone must know, is an old friend of the Chinese people, and for a while, he appeared quite frequently in the news broadcasts.
However, in the 1970s and 1980s, due to the political turmoil in Cambodia at the time, this place was damaged and abandoned.
Later, Aman was attracted to his rich classical atmosphere, purchased and restored him, and Kerry Hill, one of Aman’s in-house designers, gave this historical building new life.
Finally, on January 15, 2003, it reopened to guests and became Aman Saran.
This is a story similar to Amantaka in Luang Prabang, Amangalla in Sri Lanka, and Amanfayun in Hangzhou. Let ancient architecture be revitalized.
Inside the Aman Sera hotel, there is a library that introduces this story.
The hotel name Sara comes from the Sanskrit word apsara, which can be explained in Chinese as “flying heaven.”
On one hand, Angkor Wat itself has a culture of flying deities, and on the other hand, it probably also symbolizes the rebirth of this legendary building.
The service of Aman Sara begins at the airport, where you will be immediately greeted after disembarking from the plane and have access to a dedicated fast track. This is the “privilege” of Aman Sara at Siem Reap Airport.
Siem Reap has now changed its airport, which has become farther away. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Aman Sasa from the airport.
The location of Aman Sara is excellent, right on the main road to Angkor Wat. The hotel follows Aman’s consistent understated style, with white walls and a black gate, very inconspicuous, the kind that you might miss if you’re not paying attention.
The small hermit hides in the wild, the middle hermit hides in the city, and the great hermit hides in tranquility.
The design of this Aman is what I like, and the designer is Kerry Hill, one of the three masters of Aman.
The entire hotel embodies Kerry Hill’s iconic monochromatic minimalism and a style that blends with nature, exuding a strong classical atmosphere.
I posted some pictures, and I believe everyone will like Aman Sara just like I do.
There are three towering trees in the courtyard of the hotel.
Siem Reap is located in the tropics, with a hot climate and strong sunlight. The yard has large shade trees that can provide a cool area for the hotel.
The sunlight is filtered through layers of green leaves, casting mottled shadows. A gentle breeze comes, carrying away the heat from the body, leaving only bursts of coolness.
A word, comfortable.
The room type I stayed in this time is the Pool Suite. Aman Sala has three room types: a 75㎡ suite, a 100㎡ courtyard suite, and a 141㎡ pool suite.
The three-bay room is unobstructed, creating a completely open space.
The outdoor area features a private swimming pool.
Three different night gifts were given over three nights: a scarf from Aman Sasa, a T-shirt from AMANJUNKIE, and a photographic work of Angkor Wat (packed in the envelope below).
Three completely different night bed gifts, very thoughtful.
Finally got the AMANJUNKIE T-shirt, which you can only get after staying at 10 Aman resorts (though it’s said that some lucky ones get it after staying at just 6). When you wear this T-shirt while staying at Aman, you are a Super VIP.
When I checked in, they also gave me a booklet that not only had a detailed introduction to the hotel facilities but also arranged my itinerary for each day.
I will check in on the first day, visit the attractions in Angkor Wat on the second day, and go to Tonle Sap Lake on the third day.
The room at Aman Sara does not have an electronic access control system, only a large elephant key placed in the palm of your hand.
There is a table and chairs placed at the door of the room, and I like to sit here, holding a book, quietly enjoying the slow time in Siem Reap.
Aman Sara has a total of 24 rooms, with over 200 staff members, which means there are almost 10 people serving each room’s guests.
Every time I go out, even if it’s just to the restaurant for breakfast, I find that the room has already been tidied up when I return.
Every evening, you help me prepare the bath water, and at night, you light the aromatherapy.
When it comes to service, I really only admire Aman.
Aman Sara has five types of vehicles, with the SUV used for transporting guests to and from the airport. Additionally, there are antique Mercedes, jeeps, tuk-tuks, and bicycles.
There is a private Aman boat on Lake Tonle Sap.
I will talk about them one by one.
The 1965 Mercedes-Benz 300 antique car was once the vehicle of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. If you want to go to downtown Siem Reap, you can have the hotel send you.
I left Aman Sara in this antique Mercedes. It can be considered a distant encounter with the legendary Cambodian figure, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, in a specific space.
An old-fashioned jeep is a way to explore the countryside around Siem Reap and the local customs.
Along the rural dirt road, through the lush primitive jungle, encountering villagers working in the rice fields and fishing in the river, it’s a very interesting tour.
You can rent a bicycle at will, and it takes about 20 minutes to ride to Angkor Wat, or about 5-6 minutes to ride to the city center.
Foreigners prefer to ride bikes to Angkor Wat.
The Tuk-Tuk will take everyone to the Angkor Wat tour, following the most classic Angkor itinerary.
If staying at Aman is just staying in a hotel, that would be an understatement; many Amans have their own “privileges.” Aman Sara has a special VIP access to Angkor Wat.
I took a Tuk-Tuk and, guided by the Aman Sara guide, went to Angkor Wat before dawn, but unfortunately, I didn’t see the sunrise at Angkor Thom due to the rainy season.
The itinerary for the Amansara Angkor tour will take you to the most iconic sites: Angkor Wat (sunrise + tour) – Bayon Temple – Ta Prohm Temple.
Little Angkor is the essence of the Angkor ruins. If you have limited time in Siem Reap, these three places will give you the best understanding of Angkor Wat.
The 49 pagodas of the Bayon Temple are all massive four-faced Buddha statues, and this is the “Khmer Smile” that has made Angkor Wat famous worldwide.
Ta Prohm Temple is the filming location for the movie “Tomb Raider,” and the entire temple presents a balance of incompleteness. Giant trees intertwine with the temple, coexisting and breathing together.
These three places are the essence of Angkor Wat, and you will be guided by Aman Sara’s guide throughout the journey, riding in Aman Sara’s Tuk-Tuk.
The entire journey takes about 3 hours, from 4 AM to 8 AM.
Afterwards, I will go to the Khmer villa next to Angkor Wat (a traditional Cambodian stilt house) to enjoy a Khmer-style breakfast.
This is a relatively unique dining experience exclusive to Aman, featuring local specialties.
I participated in another tour with Amanpuri to watch the sunset at Tonle Sap Lake, taking Amanpuri’s own boat.
A person and a boat, two levels up and down. The guide told me that the biggest difference between the Aman Sara boat and the regular sunset cruise on Lake Tonle Sap is that one allows you to eat while lying down and watching, while the other is for sitting and watching.
The setting sun is barely visible, mainly because the rainy season is hard to bear. But the rainy season is not hot, and the air is fresh, each having its pros and cons compared to the off-season.
Let’s talk about food again.
Aman Sara includes breakfast every day, as well as one lunch/dinner, and afternoon tea is also included daily. The menu features Khmer, Indian, and Western styles; you can order freely once you arrive at the restaurant.
I have been to Siem Reap once before and did not like the local cuisine. However, Aman’s Khmer dishes have greatly changed my perspective; they seem to have modernized traditional Khmer cuisine to be more international.
In the evening, there will also be local traditional music performances at the restaurant.
If you also go to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat and want a unique experience, Aman Sara would be a good choice.
