Amansara

Photo #1 of 11 . Swipe for more photos. Main swimming pool Situated in Siem Reap, the cultural capital of Cambodia, just 10 minutes from the entrance to Angkor, Amansara was once the guest villa of King Norodom Sihanouk. Today the walled garden compound serves as a tranquil 24-suite retreat with the ambience of a gracious home. Amansara derives its name from the twinning of the words 'aman' (Sanskrit for 'peace') and 'apsara', the heavenly nymphs of ancient Hindu texts. The apsaras, it is said, emerged from the primordial churning of the oceans with the power not only to change their form at will, but also to bestow luck on those they favoured. So all-embracing was their influence on Cambodian mythology and its numerous expressions, that delicate apsara bas-reliefs decorate practically every Angkor temple. Photo copyright Amanresorts.

Overview

Set in a garden compound, the 24-suite resort has the ambience of a private home and is the ideal base for travellers seeking to explore Khmer culture and the majestic ruins of Angkor.

A variety of temple tours and cultural walks is available as part of the guest experience.

Cambodia lies at the heart of Indochina and is bordered by Thailand in the west, Laos in the north, Vietnam in the east and the Gulf of Thailand in the south. It is a country that, despite its relatively small size and large, dominant neighbours, has managed to retain its unique Khmer identity. Its cultural traditions predate those of Thailand and, unlike Vietnam, which expresses a marked Chinese influence, Cambodia's cultural roots draw heavily from the Indian sub-continent whence it drew much of the inspiration for its remarkable buildings, palaces and temples.

With Angkor among the world's foremost ancient sites, the town of Siem Reap is being developed to service the growth of international tourism, with numerous accommodations at all levels, cafes, restaurants and related tourism services. Traditional food and handicrafts markets have now been joined by the hustle and bustle of tourism-related commerce, making Siem Reap a beehive of activity. There are still places where Siem Reap's verdant charm remains, especially along the banks of the Siem Reap River where the architectural richness of the town is at its best. From traditional wooden houses to colonial-style buildings and pagodas, it offers a glimpse of the Siem Reap of old. While in Siem Reap, a visit to Wat Bo is rewarded with one of the most beautiful frescoes in Cambodia, representing the Reamker or Khmer version of the Ramayana, painted in the late 19th century.