Zannier Phum Baitang

Hemmed by rice paddies and seated on the doorstep of some of the world’s most enchanting temple ruins, Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat. Populated with buzzy streets, winding alleyways, trendy cafes, restaurants and shops, and featuring a sprawling covered market brimming with trinkets, the town offers travelers a pedestrian charm that contrasts against Southeast Asia’s skyscraping megacities.  

When it comes to accommodations, luxury travelers are spoiled for choice in Siem Reap. What makes Zannier Phum Baitang an Extraordinary Journeys top-pick, is its storybook setting in the serene countryside and luxe amenities.   

Located away from the fray of both Siem Reap and the busy road that shuttles temple-goers to and from Angkor Wat, Zannier Phum Baitang is tucked away on 20 acres of lush garden and fields of rice paddies. Forty-five freestanding pool or terrace villas are configured in the style of traditional stilted Khmer farmhouses, assuring guests a high level of privacy. Interiors evoke wabi-sabi sensibilities: organic textures, aged wooden floors and shutters, woven bamboo walls, and stone-hewn bathtubs. Villas are generously sized, air-conditioned, and boast an integrated sound system with Bluetooth connectivity. We really like the thatch sala daybed and loungers that feature next to the plunge pool, a feature of the pool villas.  

When you’re ready to leave the sanctuary of your villa, spend some time in the hotel’s Spa Temple. Enveloped by tropical gardens, seven treatment rooms offer a spa menu that emphasizes ancient Khmer therapies to purify and rejuvenate mind and body. A steam room, sauna, yoga pavilion, indoor fitness room, and outdoor pool round out Zannier Phum Baitang’s wellness offering.  

When it’s time to graze, there are two bars and two restaurants on the property. Enjoy bar service at the glassy infinity pool. Save dusk for The Sunset Lounge, an authentic, 100-year-old farmhouse that pays homage to Cambodia’s colonial history, furnished with rattan wing chairs and laden with oriental carpets. Sip a cocktail or vintage liqueur as the Cambodian sun dips below the horizon, casting rows of long-legged coconut palms in silhouette.  

All-day dining is available at Bay Phsarin, where Khmer influences and international flavors are prepared by chefs in the open kitchen. Overlooking the rice paddies and gardens, the restaurant uses rice and other produce grown on-site. Open only for dinner, Hang Bay transforms familiar staples such as fish, chicken, and ribeye into delicious Khmer fine dining.