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Templation Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia: Sustainable-Luxury at the Gates of Angkor Wat
When we travel we strive to choose hotels that are environmentally conscious and involved in the local community whenever possible. We also love a bit of luxury once in a while. Templation Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia is a sustainable-luxury hotel that ticks all the boxes for a relaxing, elegant experience you can feel good about. It’s also the closest hotel to Angkor Wat! It is our top pick for a luxurious stay in Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor.
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The Location
Templation Angkor was built on four acres of untamed jungle that was previously a plantation, in a quiet residential neighborhood in Siem Reap. It is only a five minute drive to Angkor Wat, a 20 minute drive from the Siem Reap International Airport, a five minute drive to the National Museum, and less than 10 minutes into the center of Siem Reap where you can shop, eat at a variety of excellent Siem Reap restaurants and explore more of the modern elements that the city has to offer.
Getting up for the famous Angkor Wat sunrise is much easier when you’re so close by. You’ll be able to bypass the traffic getting into the temple complex, and arrive in time to claim a coveted spot at the front of the reflecting pond.
We recommend getting your temple pass between 4:30-5: 30pm the day before your temple visit. You’ll be able to go into the temple complex for sunset that evening, without it counting toward your total number of days on your pass. Bonus sunset!
A majority of travelers visit Angkor Wat and do the big circuit or small circuit to visit some of the best-maintained temples inside the complex, but there are many temples to explore beyond these. You can easily spend many days going around to various sites.
The prices (in USD) for the Angkor Temple pass as of March 2018 are:
1-day $37
3-days $62
7-days $72
Angkor Wat at sunrise. Well worth waking up for!
History of Templation Angkor
Templation Angkor was built in 2016. It is a gem among the hundreds of hotels scattered around Siem Reap, many of which look a lot nicer in their photos online than they do in person.
Templation Angkor is a part of the MAADS group of hotels, which focus on sustainable and responsible practices while incorporating Cambodian flora and water beautifully into their designs. We have been fortunate to stay at many of their unique properties throughout Cambodia.
Architects Ivan Tizianel and Lisa Ros designed Templation Angkor to compliment the natural beauty of the land where it was built. A majority of the native trees and plants were preserved, and the villas were built to blend in with the land. Throughout the property, they created echoes of the ancient waterways and reservoirs that nourished the Angkor civilization.
After a busy day exploring the temples of Angkor and all that Siem Reap has to offer, Templation Angkor offers luxury and serenity. With the beautiful pools, facilities, spa, and restaurant, you may want to plan for a full day of your trip where you don’t even leave the property!
Check out room rates for Templation Angkor.
A view of the main pool from the restaurant.
Things we love about Temptation
Helping the Community
Temptation regularly hosts fundraising events and exhibitions. They support social causes, health initiatives, environmental causes and the arts in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Environmentally Conscious
Aside from being stunningly beautiful, Templation Angkor was designed with environmentally conscious facilities as a top priority. The vegetal roofs provide optimal airflow into the buildings to cut down on using air conditioning. Solar panels on the grounds are connected to an electric grid to partially power the hotel. Rainwater is collected seasonally to use where possible throughout the grounds. These choices are part of the Templation’s alignment with nature and respect for the historic Angkor temples nearby.
Some pieces from the local art exhibition that was on during our stay.
Getting to and from Siem Reap, Cambodia
It is quick and relatively inexpensive to fly to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh!
Arrival and Check-in
I arrived at Templation Angkor via taxi from the Siem Reap International Airport (a $10 ride booked just outside of Arrivals). Stevo was set to join me the next afternoon. Templation Angkor also offers pick-up service in their air-conditioned Jaguar. Just email reception ahead of your stay to book it.
When I rolled up to the hotel, two friendly staff members met me out front with wide smiles, palms joined in the traditional Cambodian greeting.
My bag was immediately whisked away and I was led to a comfortable couch in the restaurant lounge. A cold, refreshing drink and cool towel were brought over, which were very welcome in the humid Cambodia heat. The check-in process was quick and easy. I filled out a quick piece of paper with my information, and a staff member took my passport and credit card to be copied for their file, which took all of five minutes. Then we were off to the Private Pool Suite!
Waiting on a comfortable couch with a cool drink during check-in.
The Rooms
Templation Angkor has 33 rooms with three different options, depending on your needs. Check the latest rates.
The Junior Suite
- Sleeps up to 3 people
- Large bedroom
- King size or two twin beds
- Open sky bathroom with rain shower and super-sized bathtub
- The terrace opens to the garden with trees and flowers
- View of the main swimming pool
Check room rates for the Junior Suite.
Private Pool Suite (where we stayed)
- Sleeps up to 4 people
- Two structures (bedroom and living room)
- Large king size bed in the bedroom
- Open sky bathroom with rain shower and super-sized bathtub
- Large living room with couches and TV
- Second bathroom with rain shower and toilet
- Big picture windows open out to your private pool
- Tile slated pool with jet streams (4X7 Meters)
- Private garden
Check room rates for the Private Pool Suite.
Private Pool Villa
- Sleeps up to 6 people
- Two separate bedrooms with king size beds
- Large living room
- Open sky bathroom with rain shower and super-sized bathtub
- Large living room with couches and TV
- Big picture windows open out to your private pool
- Tile slated pool with jet streams (4X7 Meters)
- Private garden
Check room rates for Private Pool Villa.
The view of the pool as you walk into the villa.
A view of the pool and living room from the private garden.
The king bed was so comfortable! We loved the elegant wood throughout the room and pops of bright color.
The spacious closet with plenty of hangers, complimentary tea and coffee, bathrobes, comfy slippers, a safe, large umbrella, and laundry basket should you need those services.
The view of the bedroom and private garden as you walk out of the master bathroom. There was also a great desk workspace.
The master bathroom, open to the elements, with couples sinks, a massive bathtub, and a rain shower.
All natural Bodia products in the bathroom. Ginger & turmeric shower gel, kaffir lime and spirulina shampoo, tinospora crispa conditioner, and lemongrass soap.
The living room, a separate building next to the bedroom, had a comfortable L couch large enough for two to sleep on, vanity, desk, second mini-bar, complimentary fruit bowl, and second bathroom.
The bathroom in the living room, with an outdoor rain shower!
View of the pool and bedroom from the living room. The three glass doors by the pool all slide open to create one big indoor/outdoor living space.
The complimentary fruit bowl was much appreciated as we were lounging by the pool.
One more view of the amazing private pool from the bedroom. Such luxury!
The Grounds
As mentioned before, Templation Angkor was built on four acres of jungle that is well maintained all throughout the property. There are a variety of fruit trees, flowers and green everywhere you look. In order to water all of these plants, Templation Angkor collects rainwater during the rainy season and also utilizes a groundwater pump and filtration system. This water also feeds into the main pool and the private pool villas, so they do not need to bring in any water from outside the property.
The main pool is absolutely stunning.
Immersed in Nature
Walking along the winding pathways around the property you can see that many birds enjoy the grounds too. We also saw butterflies and beautiful bright colored dragonflies flying around the flowers and above the pools. The sound of bird songs and chirping insects was relaxing and refreshing, especially after coming from the hectic city life in Phnom Penh. Strolling around the property, you truly feel immersed in nature everywhere you go.
The beautiful restaurant with natural airflow and sunlight streaming in.
Eco-Friendly Design
The restaurant and bar open out to the main pool and gardens. The architects designed the buildings around the existing flora, and there are trees growing inside the restaurant and bar, up through holes in the roof, which also let in beautiful streams of natural light. The building was designed for natural air flow, with solar panels covering the rooftop. These panels help to offset the power needed around the property and to maintain the pools.
Angkorian era art on the way to the restaurant.
Angkorian and Local Art
Along with the tasteful Cambodian decor around the grounds, which incorporates Angkorian elements and bright pops of color, there are also rotating art exhibits inside the restaurant and bar to showcase work done by people in the local community.
The entrance to Templation Spa by Bodia.
The Templation Spa
The Templation Spa uses products from Bodia, made from high quality local, natural ingredients. Although we didn’t get the chance to visit the spa during our visit, the menu of scrubs, massages and beauty care treatments are no doubt amazing.
Bodia products are also provided in the rooms. We loved knowing that by using these natural products that the water running from our outdoor rain shower could flow straight to the plants in the bathroom garden. A bottle of Bodia’s natural mosquito repellent was also in our room, a thoughtful addition to the collection of toiletries.
The Restaurants, Food, and Drinks
The food at Templation’s restaurant is excellent. There is a wide range of options, including local Khmer food, Asian and western choices. A majority of ingredients are sourced locally, some even coming from the hotel grounds! The Templation restaurant is spacious and beautifully decorated. It is open to the main pool, which is lit up with lights and sparkles in the evening, making for a romantic setting.
The Templation bar has both indoor and outdoor seating in a beautiful and comfortable environment. Happy Hour is every afternoon with buy 1, get 1 free on cocktails. They have some really delicious drinks!
I cheekily ordered room service my first evening as I couldn’t tear myself away from the private pool inside our villa. From the Local menu: Pan-fried duck breast served with pear, green mango, ambarella fruit, and lotus sprouts, along with fresh baked bread and butter.
Breakfast Buffet (included daily)
The included breakfast is phenomenal. You can choose from several set options (Jen loved the Asian Set and Stevo was into the American Set), as well as choose from several a la carte menu options. We also loved both salmon dishes, the pancakes, and the Eggs Benedict. There are bottomless seasonal fresh juices, coffee, and tea. You can even get breakfast delivered straight to your pool! Of course, we had to try that out. Although it made no practical sense to eat in the pool, the novelty was too fun to pass up!
Beyond the Temples: Activities in Siem Reap
Templation Angkor offers activities to discover Cambodia’s arts and culture, always conscious of their impact on the wider community and environment. From cooking classes to tours of the Tonle Sap Lake, visiting lesser known temples, outdoor adventures, and chances to see daily life in the countryside outside the city, there is something for everyone.
Kid-friendly
Templation Angkor is a great place for families. Kids, of course, love the pools and exploring the grounds, and the menus have plenty of kid-friendly options. We saw a couple of young families there during our trip. The grounds are so large that there is plenty of space for everyone. The hotel staff is happy to recommend kid-friendly activities around the city and assist in booking transport or anything your family may need during your stay.
The Service
The concierge at Temptation is happy to assist in booking tours to visit the temples of Angkor. Whether you are interested in exploring the temples for several days, or simply seeing Angkor Wat at sunrise, they can help to arrange a driver and guide in the vehicle of your choosing.
Templation Angkor’s staff were extremely professional, friendly and helpful throughout our stay. We were in town for a wedding, and they helped us with directions to the various venues throughout the weekend by setting up tuk-tuks for us and helping to negotiate fair prices with the drivers. Everyone on site, from the front desk managers to the restaurant and bar staff, gardeners, cleaning staff, and tuk-tuk drivers were so friendly and kind. At one point I accidentally locked my keys inside my room (don’t ask!), and within minutes of realizing it, a woman from the cleaning staff was able to come and unlock it for me. She acted like it was no big deal at all, which was kind of her.
Above and Beyond
We accidentally left a charger behind in our room, and unfortunately didn’t realize it until we were back in Phnom Penh. We chalked it up to a loss, but within hours I had an email from the manager informing us that we left it behind and asking how they could send it to get to us. They sent it down on a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and had it delivered to my workplace within 48 hours, and the delivery fee was only $1.50! It was such a nice gesture, and we appreciated the effort they went to return it to us.
The Verdict
Templation Angkor is a relaxing, luxurious place to return to after a long day of exploring the Angkor temples and Siem Reap. We also love their commitment to sustainable practices. We would highly recommend staying at Templation Angkor on your trip to Siem Reap!
Book a Room
You can book a room at Templation Angkor directly through their website, or check for the latest deals on Agoda, a hotel search engine where we usually find the best deals on hotels in Asia.
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We were invited as guests of Templation Angkor and our stay was complimentary. As always, we do not recommend anything we do not truly love and all opinions and photos are our own.
Have you been to Siem Reap, Cambodia? Would you stay at Templation Angkor?
Seems to be a nice stay and worth going for.. Cambodia is on my list since long..would surely love to try this stay..
Templation Angkor sounds like it is in the perfect location. In the jungle, but close to Angkor Wat, the airport, and the city center-can’t beat that! Good tip on getting your pass the evening before to sneak in an extra sunset! Love the design and local art throughout the hotel too. Would be so awesome to have a private pool right out your door! Such a great find-we will have to look into this hotel for sure!
I’ve read quite a few posts about Angkor in Siem Reap. It’s nice to see a post about what type of accommodations I can expect there. I never really thought about hotels as helping the community or being environmentally conscience until I stayed at the Fogo Island inn in Newfoundland. So great to see other hotels that do the same.
Great tip about the extra sunset, I had no idea Angkor Watt was so big so every extra minute helps! The hotel sounds amazing, and I wouldn’t be able to resist breakfast in the pool either! The staff and sustainability really make this place stand out though.
The Templation Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia seems to be at a perfect location. I like the way it is complementing to nature and they are environmentally conscious. Rooms look really cozy and the pool is inviting. It seems to be a perfect place for R&R.
I wish I knew about Templation Angkor before my trip to Cambodia, since I wasn’t really satisfied with my booking! The open sky bathroom is amazing and reminds me of one I had in Bali. The best thing about this hotel I think is its sustainability with the use of solar panels and the rain water collection. These are truly important for a green place like Cambodia!
Love how pampered you were at this amazing hotel. The sustainability concept is quite important and it’s great the hotel is giving back and helping the local economy. That’s so important, especially in Cambodia. Can’t beat the private pool. Love that strut, Jen!
The prices are not too shabby for the pass. I would love to visit. Definitely a place I would love to explore. I love the outdoor elements in the bathroom are nice. I would have stayed at my own private pool too and just ordered food. Why not? That is awesome.
I love the sustainability aspects of this hotel, just as you did. The rain-water recycling, the solar panels, and the use of Bodia toiletries are all really great ways to be careful with the environment. The food sounds amazing too – that duck and fresh bread – yum! The idea of eating in the pool is very quirky, and I can see why you did it just the once! I would love to visit Angkor Wat, and this seems like the perfect hotel from which to visit.
Indeed a very relaxing place to stay, so perfect to pamper yourself in this hotel. I love the eco friendly design of this hotel, so unique and pleasant in my eyes.The photo of sunrise in Angkor Wat is so lovely, indeed worth waking up for.
It is great to see that more and more hotels are becoming more eco-friendly. The use of solar panels and rainwater is the way to go in the future and I wish that more hotels around the world would follow suit.
I was in Angkor 8 years ago and I would hate to think that the area has become spoilt by tourism so it is good to read that some hotels are making an effort to preserve the area.
I went to Angkor Wat two years back. Frankly, I found it too crowded and I wasn’t even lucky to click a gorgeous sunrise picture like you did. but I have to agree the temples are gorgeous. The resort you stayed in looks fab. Wish I had stayed there. There’s always a next time 🙂
The hotel looks amazing. Ah, what I would give for a private pool right now… with a floating breakfast 🙂
What a gorgeous resort, this area has changed so much since I visited 20 years ago with no luxury type of accommodations. What an amazing place, makes it worthwhile to visit those sites and then relax in luxury for the night.
Wow! This is such a luxurious and serene place to stay in Siem Reap. ì loved the breakfast at the pool. The hotel kinda reminds me of some hotels in Bali as well. And the location as well! So near to the main attraction. Would definitely recommend this to friends planning to visit Siem Reap anytime soon. <3
Upon reading this, the best part I could love is the floating breakfast in the pool. I’ve seen some of these types of preparation in some hotels, never thought on in Cambodia. Cambodia is such a magical place and yes, they’ve increased the price for Angkor Wat temple, arent’ they? The last time I think was $20. I would truly consider this hotel once we get back to Cambodia, we love privacy and coziness and the same time and I could see this hotel has it. Plus Angkor Wat is so close by! Makes me miss Cambodia!
Breakfast in the pool is something I’ve always wanted to experience but I’ve never stayed in a hotel where that was an option! The hotel looks absolutely stunning and a great option for someone who wants to watch the sunrise at Angkor Watt, considering that it is only a 5-minute drive away! Thanks for the recommendation, will bookmark it for when I plan my trip later this year.
That Private Pool Suite looks amazing- such a tranquil little slice of tropical paradise! I also love hotels that are socially and environmentally responsible and follow sustainable practices- that is especially important given how the tourism industry is growing around the world and the adverse effects of mass tourism on host countries.
I appreciate a hotel that works towards sustainability and still be very nice. It looks like Templation Angkor has done just that. I’ve not yet been to Siem Reap or Cambodia, but it’s high on my list. I’ll have to remember this hotel. 🙂
Great post! I love the sustainable concept including local flora and fauna. It looks like you had a fab stay. I feel only the breakfast would be worth a visit 🙂