Angkor Privilege Resort and Spa

The staff made sure we were comfortable at every turn. In the morning they even remembered our coffee orders and brought them to the table without us asking. Breakfast and lunch were delicious, and the clean pool was refreshing. Our villa was cute and comfortable, with a comfortable bed and a spacious tub. This was the best hotel experience I've had. We'd come back to Cambodia just to stay here again.

The state of the resort's rooms and the dining experience fell well short of what I expect from a five-star property. The walls had grey and yellow stains, the curtains were marked, and the sofa's original colour was hard to make out. After we had time to look around properly, the bathtub mat turned grey from footprints. There were dried toothpaste splashes on the bathroom mirror frame, the decorative cushions looked overdue for cleaning, and the floor felt dirty underfoot. Of the two sinks, only one had soap. The toilet towel, curtains and floor all made cleanliness a concern. We went to dinner very hungry. At what looked like a restaurant entrance at the back, a smiling woman seemed confused when we asked for a table for five and told us to sit. We then realised we were already in the restaurant, alone. The pizza on the online menu was served elsewhere, so we moved again to a poolside spot that was more like a tiny bar, about the size of a bathroom, with no clear sign it served food. Empty plastic crates nearby didn't inspire confidence. We ordered salads, fries, pizzas and two mains. Nearly 50 minutes passed before the first dish, a salad with “French dressing” that tasted like cold, separated oil. My daughter and I had been craving margherita pizza. It looked okay, and we were so hungry we dug in, but the strong anise or fennel-like flavour was nothing like a classic margherita. Staff said they used sweet basil and that pizza was made that way here and “everywhere.” I politely disagreed. We all left hungry; only the fries were edible. When we left, just one other couple was dining, and the wooden deck creaked loudly under every step, making it awkward to walk past them. There were some kind gestures: after showing us around, the friendlier staff member brought a beautiful fruit platter, which we appreciated. When we arrived after a long journey, a young staff member took our passports and asked us to sit, which we were glad to do. A few minutes later, a much warmer staff member brought welcome drinks, while the first returned with our passports. But that first person seemed impatient and spoke in a slightly rude, dismissive way. Both stood watching us intensely with the drinks, apparently expecting us to finish quickly. We were the only guests, so the hurry felt unnecessary and awkward. We were shown a Family Suite and a “Presidential Suite.” The latter was two small, separate rooms above the lobby, not connecting, with open space in front that felt more like a corridor than anything presidential. The name seemed misleading; it looked like a standard room with fancy branding. The staff member showing it was barefoot, with visibly dirty feet as he walked through the suite. Coming from New Zealand, we're used to being barefoot, but at a five-star resort it felt unprofessional. After seeing the Family Suite, I kept wondering how the glowing online reviews could match what we were seeing. They didn't. Once we were alone, the friendlier staff member's fruit platter was a kind gesture, but it couldn't make up for the condition of the room. We headed straight for dinner because we were extremely hungry. The resort was far below our expectations for a five-star stay. Cleanliness, food quality and professionalism were missing, and the online reviews didn't reflect our experience. We wouldn't return or recommend it.

The resort feels secure, with the entrance gate closed at night, and the staff were friendly, attentive and helpful. The manager was especially kind and hands-on. We saw him watering trees and flowers and looking after the property each day. We appreciated getting a late checkout without any trouble, since our flight wasn't until around 9 p.m. Angkor Privilege Resort is peaceful and surrounded by nature, with around 16 villas, so it feels personal rather than crowded. It's about 5 km from downtown, roughly 10 minutes and about 3 USD by tuk tuk. That kept us away from traffic and the main road while still making sightseeing convenient. Angkor Wat and the Floating Village are accessible, and the hotel can arrange day tours and share useful information. We tried local Khmer restaurant “Mae Ly” on the property. The fried rice with egg and vegetables was so tasty we ordered it again, and the grilled chicken was good too. The sauces were delicious, and the food seemed fresh and authentic. The resort also invited us to a four-course meal at the poolside restaurant, a generous gesture. The dishes were tasty and nicely presented, with more than enough to eat. Food and drink prices were fair. Breakfast had a sufficient range of hot and cold options, including vegetarian choices. We especially liked the barista-made coffee. Two small things could be improved: the room toilet seats looked yellowed and quite worn, and an outdoor shower by the pool would be useful for rinsing off before a swim. It's a lovely, quiet place to stay, with very good food, service and fair prices, and a convenient base for excursions. With those small fixes, it would be almost perfect. We'd definitely return.

The pool was so relaxing, with plenty of loungers, and breakfast was amazing. Those were my two favourite things, especially the best eggs I've ever had. Our room was spacious and comfortable, and the staff were attentive. They explained the different excursions and sorted out our transport. Pub Street and the markets are a quick tuk tuk ride away. This place was lovely, and I'd come back. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.