Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang
A luxurious gateway to rural Cambodia
Meaning the “green village” in Khmer, 45-villa resort Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang gets the rustic-luxe recipe just right. Just a 15-minute drive from the world-famous Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm temples, Phum Baitang immerses you in the natural beauty of the Cambodian countryside.
The eco-conscious resort, which was designed by Paris-based AW2 studio, has been modeled on a traditional Cambodian village, albeit with lots of contemporary and luxurious touches. The result is a collection of spacious, stilted wooden villas — all peppered across lush green paddy fields and manicured gardens.
Half the fun is exploring the setting: a network of wooden walkways guides you around the grounds’ restaurants, bars, enormous pool and temple-like spa. There’s much to do nearby as well, from Angkor Wat to the Old Market, which sells handcrafted souvenirs and delicious street food.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The dramatic infinity pool is a sight to behold with 50 meters of inviting saltwater, as well as relaxing sunbeds and thatched-roof salas on all sides.
- The beautiful Siem Reap hotel stretches across20 acres of lemongrass meadows, gardens and paddy fields.
- Though you feel miles away from everything thanks to the quiet surroundings, nothing is too far away. In just 15 minutes, you can be in the heart of the 9th-century Angkor Archaeological Park — Cambodia’s most important the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also close by is downtown Siem Reap, where you'll find lots of restaurants, charming French colonial architecture and the Old Market.
- If you’re celebrating a milestone or “just because” moment, ask about the private dining experiences, which take place in the midst of the rice terraces or on your villa’s terrace. Before dinner, the hotel will craft a personalized menu to ensure the meal is perfect.
- Visitors interested in bringing some Cambodian culinary skills home with them can learn all about Khmer traditions at a private cooking class. Guided by one of the hotel’s talented chefs, you will shop at a local market for ingredients and stop by the property’s garden to pluck herbs. After the legwork, you’ll make a three-course Khmer meal, paired with fresh rice from the hotel’s paddy fields.
Things to Know
- The Phum Baitang Kids Club overflows with games, arts, crafts, classes, puzzles and activities — including a rice-harvesting experience — plus there are always dedicated staff members on hand to oversee the fun. The luxury hotel is also happy to arrange extra roll-away beds and baby cots in your room, if needed.
- Explore the grounds with a complimentary bike rental. Take off in the early morning to say hello to the resident water buffalo and snap some dramatic photos of the misty paddy fields.
- The hotel harvests rice all year long (which draws the water buffalo) and even gifts bags of grains to guests as a keepsake.
- Health-conscious foodies will rejoice when they see the onsite herb garden. Alongside indigenous herbs, the chefs also grow everyday staples like basil, lemongrass, garlic and chilli, all of which make regular appearances in your meals.
- Celebrities love Phum Baitang for its remote natural scenery, rustic design and sustainable ethos. In fact, Angelina Jolie rented out the entire resort during a film shoot in 2015 to soak up the unforgettable surroundings.
The Rooms
- The hotel is home to two types of villas — 25 Terrace Villas and 20 Pool Villas — both of which promise uninterrupted views of the lush, green landscape.
- Designed like traditional Khmer family homes, the stilted villas aim to provide an authentic — albeit luxurious — Cambodian experience. From shutters made of woven bamboo to straw-thatched rooftops to carved wooden headboards, wood is the material of choice. The extensive use of raw materials creates a warm, natural atmosphere.
- The interiors are in line with the exteriors, incorporating simple yet tasteful décor in an earthy palette of creams, browns and pale greens.
- If you’re staying in one of the 646-square-foot Terrace Villas, look forward to an understated bedroom and comfy outdoor lounge area on your own terrace. The Pool Villas provide even more space at 775 square feet, as well as a private plunge pool, garden area and lounge pavilion.
- No matter which villa you choose, rest assured you won't be sacrificing any creature comforts. All feature Aesop amenities, a Nespresso machine, luxurious rain shows and enormous egg-shaped bathtubs carved from local stone.
The Facilities
- Head to the all-day restaurant Bay Phsar for stunning views of the rice paddies as well as an array of salads, pizzas and casual Khmer dishes, like beef banana blossom salad and nom ben chok curry soup.
- Open for dinner only, fine-dining restaurant Hang Bay adapts international and local dishes to create exciting fusion creations. Appetizers take the form of steamed Kep blue crab meat with Vietnamese caviar and turmeric tofu wrapped in betel leaves, while mains include salt-crusted sea bass and grilled Takeo river prawn with green curry. Be sure to book a table outside so you can enjoy the sunset while you dine.
- Come evening, there’s no better place to unwind than the alfresco Pool Bar, where cocktails and housemade juices make for excellent sundowners.
- Another option is the Cigar & Cocktail Lounge, which oozes colonial-era atmosphere with its location inside a renovated farmhouse where rattan wing chairs and ornate rugs set the scene. This is a real treat with a menu of Cuban cigars, cocktails (made with homegrown herbs and botanicals) and an extensive wine list.
- After a long day of exploring Angkor’s incredible temples and buzzing Siem Reap, get some R&R at Spa Temple, which is as regal as it sounds. A tribute to Cambodia’s ancient temples, the spa is carved by stonemasons with strong Angkor-era design elements.
Amenities
Bar
Gym
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
