Shinta Mani’s ‘Hotel Within a Hotel’ Opens in Siem Reap

Shinta Mani Hotels’ 10 villas feature tropical landscaped gardens, personal pools, rooftop lounges and butlers, reimagining the Cambodian experience

Shinta Mani Hotels has launched its first highly anticipated flagship Bensley Collection property with the Shinta Mani Angkor. A hotel within a hotel, it features ten two-level 156 sqm villas located in the cultural heart of the royal historic town of Siem Reap.

In collaboration with acclaimed designer Bill Bensley, the Bensley Collection is an exclusive portfolio of sophisticated resorts showcasing visionary concepts, extra-ordinary design and bespoke service. The second Bensley Collection hotel, Shinta Mani Wild, will open later this year in the South Cardamom National Park and will be a luxury tented camp in the jungle over waterfalls, where guests can literally zip line into the hotel.

In the Cambodian property, villa guests will find fluffy, comfortable, beds in bedrooms that totally black out. With Bensley having overseen every detail of design and service of the property, the villas are a nod to an innovative type of indulgence Bensley calls ‘escapism’, and one that guests will long remember and want to experience again and again.

Under the ancient canopy of Siem Reap’s Palace trees, each villa offers its residents privacy and ultimate extravagance, complete with their own Bill Bensley lush tropical garden that literally brings the outside in. From its dramatic high walled façade with a monumental scale three-dimensional carving portraying the ‘hands of meditation” to signify spiritual perfection, to the oversized nine-metre personal lap pool and gardens with a rooftop living room, the 10 ultra-chic, luxurious two level villas create a Khmer kingdom of their own for guests.

Each villa has 156 sqm of space across two pavilions including a floor to ceiling glassed bathroom with views over the garden and the outdoor bath. Inside the living space, over-size three-dimensional murals have been carved to portray the rippling folds of Jayavarman’s robe – one of the Khmer Kings who reigned from 1181-1218 and was known for his powerful, pioneering spirit.

Six of the villas are also able to be combined into three 312 square-metre two bedroom villas (each with its own pool) to accommodate a family or friends travelling together.

With an experience that begins at Siem Reap’s International airport, guests are fast-tracked through immigration and whisked away to the secluded entrance of the villas.

Functioning as a hotel within a hotel, Bensley Collection guests have a choice of an all-inclusive indulgent experience or a refined bed and breakfast option. In addition, they have access to the restaurants, bars, facilities and the Shinta Mani Spa by Khmer Tonics and facilities in the adjacent Shinta Mani Hotels, or can enjoy personal service from any outlets in their villa. The Bensley Collection Butlers Lounge and Compound is for the exclusive use of its guests.

As for the Bensley Butlers – an elite group of hand-selected hospitality professionals that live and breathe the guests’ experience – as the best butlers are, they are there when needed and invisible when they are not. This small but highly trained band of butlers, under the helm of Head Butler Mac, are traditionally trained, endlessly resourceful and look after all the guests’ needs while in residence at Shinta Mani Angkor – Bensley Collection, ensuring a flawless stay where everything is exactly as it should be, from arrival to the reluctant departure of each guest.

At Shinta Mani, a portion of the daily room rate is also donated to the non-profit Shinta Mani Foundation created by the owner, to support health, education and development programs for the less fortunate in the community. Please visit Shinta Mani Foundation for more information.

shintamani.com