The Most Unique Place to Stay in Siem Reap
After several nights of very little sleep I am already exhausted. An early morning, one cancelled and another delayed flight, and now I am absolutely spent. I arrive to Sala Lodges feeling weathered, exhausted and cranky from lack of rest and a long to-do list. As I look at the calming scenery, and smiling faces of the staff, this feeling quickly subsides.
As I walk out of my little wooden Cambodian lodge and hand over my key to the receptionist, my stress begins to melt away. This is an unfamiliar feeling. I carry a weight and stress of running my own business on my shoulders 365 days a year. Suddenly, I am feeling something I haven’t felt in awhile, relaxation. I quickly acknowledge this long forgotten feeling and greet it with a smile. I climb into my tuk-tuk and head into town to get dinner.
Sala Lodges is located just 5 minutes (by tuk-tuk) outside the bustling town of Siem Reap. As a travel writer, I have stayed in various types of lodging over the years, but this stay was truly special. Not every nice hotel is memorable, but Sala Lodges is one that I will be talking about for years to come.
With only twelve available rooms in eleven structures, Sala Lodges isn’t just one of the best places to stay in Siem Reap, it’s the most exclusive reservation in town. This place books out!
A Unique Story
Sala Lodges has a unique story behind these little wooden lodges. These “lodges” used to be actual Cambodian homes. There are eleven in total that came from 3 different provinces in Cambodia. They were each dismantled and brought here to Siem Reap, then put back together piece by piece. Each stand alone home even has it’s own sprawling veranda.
Attentive staff and Exceptional service
For me, the devil is always in the details when it comes to the quality of a property, and no detail has been overlooked at Sala Lodges.
We received a beautiful welcome drink upon arrival, and a quick overview and history of the property from the very lovely staff.
Turndown service included closing shutters on the house to keep out morning light, turning down a large (and pretty adorable) mosquito net over the bed, as well as even folding carelessly tossed clothing.
In the mornings, everything was picked up, the same as any regular hotel, but you could see that it was all done with great care, even putting personal belongings that were out of place in thoughtful places. The small refrigerator was stocked upon arrival with soda, water and beer and is refilled daily.
Delicious Dining
Breakfast is included with the price of the room and includes eggs, bacon, assortments of breads, fresh jams, fresh juices that change daily, cereals, and yogurt.
In the evening, the dining area turns into a beautiful romantic dining spot at the Monolith Restaurant. Even if you choose not to stay at Sala Lodges, visiting for dinner is a must. Food is not only delicious, but the menu is quite extensive. The ambiance is perfect, romantic and laid back all at the same time. My favorite dish was Lok Lak Sach Kor, a Cambodian dish with diced beef, oyster sauce and a fried egg. For dessert I chose creme brûlée made with pandan leaf, and it was a perfect and unique combination!
Easy to Get Around
Sala Lodges are located 30 minutes from Angkor Wat, but only 5 minutes from the center of town. The property quickly and easily sets up and assigns a taxi or tuk-tuk driver for all day, half-day, or quick excursions to the temples or just to town. Our tuk-tuk drivers were stocked with water and fresh towels in-between temples. One of our drivers that the hotel set up, Solay (Prounounced “Lie” for short) was incredible and went above and beyond. He even gave us bags of fresh pineapple to snack on during the ride. The property also has their own tuk-tuk driver available.
In addition, the property also boasts a stunning infinity pool surrounded by lush foliage!
If you are visiting Cambodia, you will no doubt be heading to Siem Reap during your stay. My suggestion is to check out Sala Lodges for an authentic and luxurious Cambodian experience!
Sala Lodges - no 498, Salakomroeuk, Siem Reap, Cambodia | +855 63 766 699
