Raffles Amrita Spa

Overall Impression My first impression of the Raffles Amrita Spa was early one morning when I went for a workout (I was a guest at the hotel where the spa is located). The spa and fitness center had a common reception area and shared a building fronting the pool area of the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap. The attendant was friendly, welcoming and helpful. She made sure I had everything I needed for my work out and checked on me midway to see if there was anything I required. I found that same warm welcome early every morning when I went work out and on the days I went for spa treatments.

Temple outings, walks and explorations of the tourist attractions in the area were sometimes tiring. At the back of my mind I knew if I over did it I had the option to go for a dip in the swimming pool, spend time in one of the spa facilities like the steam room or sauna or, if the occasion called for, it schedule a treatment. During my weeklong stay at the hotel I made daily use of the fitness center and swimming pool and indulged in several spa treatments to rest my feet and prepare for my long journey home.

The cozy spa had all the facilities I might want, a pleasant setting, a variety of treatment options, a reputable product line and friendly staff with a professional attitude and it was steps away from my room. My time and treatments at the spa were just right. The spa facilities and treatments enhanced my already agreeable stay at the Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor. The next time I am at the hotel, I will make a point of including spa time in my plans.

General Manager Mr. Sotheavuth Mey

Handicapped Access The spa welcomed handicapped guests although there were no special facilities to accommodate individuals with handicaps.

Location At the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

Managed Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Number Of Staff Twelve

Owned Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal

Size A 318 square meter stand alone building was shared between the fitness center and the spa.

Special Training The Spa manager traveled to to the Raffles Amrita Spa head office for training and received spa product training in Singapore by Dermalogica. Spa therapists received training locally from the Raffles Amrita Spa head office staff and Dermalogica staff.

Treatment Rooms There were five treatment rooms (four single rooms and one double)

Year Opened-Renovated The spa opened in 1997.

Common Areas Raffles Amrita Spa featured Art Deco country style furnishings and Cambodian object d’art. There was cushioned rattan furniture in the spa/fitness center arrival area. Inside the locker and changing room facilities there were showers, treatment rooms, sauna, and steam room in the men’s and women’s areas.

Food And Restaurants The hotel’s Poolside Terrace restaurant had an a la carte menu with beverages, cocktails, snacks, sandwiches, salads and healthy cuisine options on offer.

Amenities Within my assigned locker there were slippers, towels, and a cotton bathrobe. On the nearby counter there was a hair dryer, and house brand toiletries: perfume, deodorant, body powder, body lotion, air spray, hair gel, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, shower cap, cotton buds, and comb.

Facilities In the same building as the spa there was an air conditioned gym. In front of the spa there was 35 meter outdoor lap pool (said to be the largest in Cambodia), and an outdoor children’s pool. Within the spa there were Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna facilities in the men’s and women’s locker areas. There were also two tennis courts.

Pool Spa guests had access to the hotel 35 meter by 18 meter outdoor lap pool with a depth ranging between 1.2 and 1.5 meters and the 7 meter by 7 meter outdoor children’s pool.

Lockers And Bathrooms There Were S eparate lockers for men and women with shower room, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms which were segregated for men and women.

Other The spa was mostly quiet. The afternoon of my last treatment there was a family with a young girl playing loudly in the pool area. My treatment room was adjacent to the pool area and the sounds carried clearly indoors. Eventually I concentrated on the treatment and forgot she was there.

Cleanliness Excellent

Date Of Review June 2011

Number Of Treatments Three

Reviewers Article and photographs by Elena del Valle

Treatments Experienced The first time I went to the spa I had a 45-minute Reflexology treatment. On another day I indulged in the Angkor Escape (two hours and 25 minutes) designed to “ease away the day’s stress and strains and bring body and mind back into balance.” The therapist used east and west techniques in an aromatic oil massage with warm stones to reduce fatigue, aches and pain. She finished that portion of the treatment with a natural purifying body mask ”to relieve sluggishness and congestion.” Finally, there was a refreshing facial. The session left me intensely relaxed. Vanda, a friendly young woman, was my therapist for the spa treatments.

Would You Return? Yes