LUXURY

Amansara
at a glance
Trisara
at a glance
Category: Resort Hotel
Category: Beach Resort
Suite Reviewed: Pool Suite
Suite reviewed: Ocean View Pool Room
Amansara
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Trisara
Phuket, Thailand
Originally named Villa Apsara, this property was originally built in 1962 for King
Trisara means ‘third garden in heaven’. A real sanctuary, this resort offers a mix of
Sihanouk. Stately guests, rebel coups and military occupations all preceded the
hotel and residential villas that are nestled amongst lush tropical foliage facing the
Aman resort group purchasing the 12-suite property in 2002. A fascinating history,
crystalline waters of the Andaman Sea.
What’s great: Before you step foot in
Amansara, the staff have already prepared
an itinerary for your trip. There’s always the
top 10 list of Amansara recommendations
in Siem Reap, so if you don’t like what is
proposed it can be changed – or you don’t
have to do anything at all!
What’s not so great: The library has a great
range of Cambodian books in the library,
but it would be good to see more local
music among the cds selection.
Editor’s tip: Make the effort to adhere to
Amansara’s itinerary suggestions and get
up at the crack of dawn – you can always
sleep the afternoon away.
Rate: From NZ$1100; AU$870 per suite
per night.
Website: www.amansara.com
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
to be sure, but how does it measure up as a resort in the 21st century?
First impressions are serene. The villas’
earthy wall colours are carried beyond the
floor-to-ceiling glass and to the outside
courtyard, where a water garden enhances
the adjacent pool’s quiet beauty. It’s not
hard to transition into relaxation mode.
Early morning starts are common in Siem
Reap. As daunting as a 5am wake-up may
seem, Amansara delivers an early morning
enticement: fresh fruit salad, yoghurt,
pastries and most importantly, coffee.
Amansara has an entire list of exploration
tours. These range from the art of Khmer
cooking to visiting Sangkheum, a centre
improving the lives of neglected children
partially through the support of local
businesses like Amansara.
After our morning adventure we return to
Amansara as the rampant humidity kicks
in. This is when the resort‘s three pools
lap pools for a dunk in our secluded villa
pool. Of course, such vigorous exercise
only enhances one’s appetite.
Amansara’s circular restaurant has the
atmosphere of a family home, accentuated
by coliseum-style rock pillars. After
sampling Chef Jonathan Phillips’ amok trei
(fish curry), chicken and banana blossom
salad, and Khmer omelette with roasted
duck, we agree there’s no need to switch
to the western menu options.
By the final morning the spa seems
the appropriate place to complete the
Amansara experience. Four large rooms
are available for treatments, which
include massage from a blind therapist
to a women-only ‘Apsara’ steam, scrub,
wrap and mask – which by all reports is
heavenly. There’s simply no better way to
return your body to the royal bliss you felt
The attention to detail here is outstanding,
from the stunning beauty of the property
in general to the use of space and the
discrete and attentive service. Each
villa features a private horizon pool
overlooking the ocean.
You could choose to stay put in your villa
and enjoy the room service or personal
chef who will come and cook up a BBQ
feast right by your poolside. Alternatively,
if you do manage to force yourself to
leave your private sanctuary, you won’t
be disappointed with the dining selection
at the adjacent restaurant. Everything
from aromatic southern Thai curries to
Bangkok-style noodles is available from
the extensive Thai menu. Or if you’d
prefer, you can choose from the Western
selection that was designed by renowned
Australian chef Neil Perry from Sydney’s
Because of the layout of the resort and the
relative distance between the villas and
amenities, Trisara offers a buggy service.
The behind-the-scenes co-ordination is
so precise that the staff member at your
drop-off point will always greet you by
name when you disembark.
Located close to several championship
golf courses, including the exclusive
Blue Canyon course which is just fifteen
minutes away, Trisara also has two
Plexipave tennis courts and access to a
top-class selection of luxury motor yachts
and launches. You’ll never be short of
outdoor pursuits.
When you stay here, you’ll truly unwind in
peaceful seclusion. The creators of Trisara
certainly thought of everything from the
expected to the unexpected, which allows
this resort to sit at a level of excellence
What’s great? The villa air-conditioning
was whisper silent. The à la carte breakfast
menu as opposed to the usual hotel buffet.
The fresh complimentary cookies and
pistachio nuts that accompany the tea and
coffee facilities.
What’s not so great: We didn’t walk as
much due to the efficient buggy service at
your doorstep!
Editor’s tip: Look out for the herbed eggwhite
omelette and coconut waffles on
the breakfast menu – delicious! You don’t
need to take any music or reading material
due to the fantastically equipped library
available for guests.
Rate: From NZ$815; AU$645 per room
per night.
Website: www.trisara.com
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
come to the fore. We bypass the main and
on arrival at Amansara.
Rockpool restaurant.
seldom achieved elsewhere.
Location
Location
Suite size
Suite size
Suite interior
Suite interior
Overall service level
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Food & beverage
Hotel pool
Hotel pool
Business needs
Business needs
Fitness facilities
Recreational facilities
Spa facilities
Spa facilities
Value for money
Value for money
Amansara is the
ultimate escape from
A serene and tranquil
92.5% Siem Reap’s busy
91%
hillside sanctuary.
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