The Mr Phil: Golden Temple Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hotel : Golden Temple Hotel

City: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Stay date : 10th to 13th January 2016

Duration : 3D3N

Booking : Online and communication/confirmation through emails.

Review:

Location : Located strategically across the river from Siem Reap main town. Only 5 to 8 minutes walk (800m) to the wet or night market. We took tok tok which charged us USD1 per trip. Tok tok journey was less than 3 minutes.

Appearance : A new hotel with nice typical Cambodian's design, display and decor. Looks very touristy. At the entrance there was a small pool with various types of small fishes swimming around. which makes the entrance very unique and pleasant.

Check-in : The checking in was a very pleasant experience. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were let to a sitting area. Soon, one of the staff came with a tray of drinks, tidbits snacks and cold tower for us to freshen up. While we were sipping the refreshing lime juice, we were asked to fill simple form on provided iPad.

Service : 4 stars for personalized airport pick up and drop off. Nice welcoming drinks and snacks. But only 1 star for recommendations. Asked for a good place to eat dinner and lunch around Siem Reap, they can only recommend one place "Chanrey Tree Restaurant". Inquired if there was any alternative to that. Their answer was, there are few around Pub Street, without being specific. Asked this 3 times with 3 different staff, 3 different time, but all gave the same answers. It's just like a scripted answers. We ended up eating at Khmer Kitchen next to the wet market.

Another matter that I gave 1 star is, when we asked about the need to have a tour guide during our visit to the temples. Their answer was, we can get one at the temples. Although it's true we can, but most of tour guides at the temples were not accredited. It would had been nice if the hotel could recommend and arrange one guide to accompany us in a car that we have already booked and using for the whole day from the hotel.

Bed : Hard wood. Need to be careful as not to hit yourself.

Pillows and matters : Hard pillows- not very comfortable. No choice for feather or down pillows. Mattress was soft. If you move on the bed, your partner can feel on his/her side.

Bathroom: Small and cramp. And there was a big step to go up to the bathroom. Water pressure was good. Rain shower system with good cold/hot water control. And has all necessary amenities.

Swimming pool : Very nice swimming pool with jacuzzi. Pool water is slightly salted. Plenty of beds for sun bathing. The pool was surrounded by buildings, that makes it very cooling area to be around. Good for relaxation after a long day at the temples.

Restaurant : Serves buffet breakfast, set lunch and set dinner. Service was good.

Food : Simple continental and local buffet breakfast. The range was not extensive but sufficient for a small hotel. Complimentary dinner courses were presented nicely, but the taste was only average for us.

Staff : A good team of staff, with a continuous smiling face.

Extras : From 6pm to 7pm there's complimentary happy hour for all hotel guests. Snacks and titbits were served along with free flow red or white wine, and local beer. They also serve non alcoholic fruits punch.

Also, there was a picnic lunch outside hotel. Will have to drive for around 15 minutes to get to the location. The setting was nice. But too many stray dogs with skin diseases walking around and asking for food, was a bit of a turn off situation.

Massage : Complimentary 1 hour massage. Being veterans in getting massages, We can only say massage here is a bit of a let down. Soft pressing and lack skills in cracking the bones. And it lasted only 45 minutes, not 1 hour as promised.

Overall:

Pro : Good location, nice swimming pool, pleasant staff, unlimited bottled drinking water.

Con: Recommendations are scripted and not flexible. Pillows and bed.

Photo:Pictures of Golden Temple Hotel.