good for you

"Shinta Mani" is a Sanskrit-derived phrase roughly translates as "the gem that provides everything one desires" - an apt enough description of this intimately luxurious and friendly boutique hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Located in the heart of the town's old French Quarter, Shinta Mani is less than nine kilometers from the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, with its beautifully detailed temple structures and luscious jungle surroundings.

The hotel itself is stylish and elegant, the rooms decorated in contemporary Cambodian style, with locally made silk cushions and wood-framed beds. It has all the luxuries of an up-market hotel; full spa and slate lined swimming pool, but is worlds away from the bland luxury chain hotel, maintaining a character and simplicity all of its own.

Staff, many of them trained at the hotel's non-profit Hospitality Institute, is friendly and helpful, you're treated to considerate touches like fresh cooling towels on arrival. The food, prepared by graduates of the Institute, is delicious, drawing on Cambodia's rich and sophisticated culinary traditions.

good for cambodia

Shinta Mani's commitment and dedication to support the disadvantaged in this part of Cambodia has changed many lives, supported many families and brought a better future for this corner of a traumatized country. The Institute of Hospitality, which guests can visit for a cooking lesson or just to say hello,

offers free industry training to local youngsters at risk and provides inspiration to the community. The Institute is funded by the hotel and several private donors.

The hotel also offers guests the opportunity to meet the people of rural Cambodia, participate in the local community and provide much needed assistance through several sustainable development projects it runs, including well-building, home construction, and the donation of sewing machines and livestock to support struggling families in the area.

Rooms

Food

Shinta Mani's restaurant offers elegant indoor dining and a casually chic terrace dining area.

The menu is a contemporary take on Asian and International styles utilising local organic ingredients with quality imported products - organic where possible.

The hotel is attached to a cookery school and hospitality training school and as such the food is excellent.

Features & Facilities

• Slate-lined swimming Pool
• Spa: The Shinta Mani Spa features intimate treatment rooms for singles or couples including one with floral bath and steam room. Spa treatments available from professionally trained therapists include Thai Massage, Aromatherapy, Body Scrubs, Body Wraps, Facials, Floral and Herbal Baths and Healing Stones Massage. Shinta Mani spa was voted as the 7th best Spa for Christmas 2005 by Asia Spa.
• The hotel has a donation program to give guests an opportunity to help locals with specific projects such as house building, well digging, and the provision of school books and uniforms.
• The hotel-funded Institute of Hospitality (see 'Sustainability' section for more details) also provides guests with classes in traditional and contemporary Cambodian cookery.
• Library with PC for guests' use
• Art gallery
• Tours and activities arranged by the hotel
• Wireless internet access

See Local Info section for more on activities

Local Info & Activities

Set among rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap is the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire - Angkor Wat.

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Wat Archeological Park comprises dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and of course the famous Angkor Wat whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact put it in a class with Egypt's pyramids, the Mayan ruins of Mexico and Guatemala and India's Taj Mahal. Unlike many other ancient monuments, the ruins of Angkor are for the most part unspoiled by over-development, though this may not be true for much longer. While the major temples can be quite busy at times, it is still possible get away from the crowds to discover the peaceful atmosphere of Angkor.

There are over 100 major temple sites to be visited in and around Siem Reap, with Angkor Wat being the most famous. Shinta Mani can organise tours for you, with a local guide.

Ta Prohm is a large Buddhist monastery of five enclosures, unrestored and deliberately left to the elements with dramatic results.

Siem Reap's Central Market offers the ultimate shopping extravaganza with local handicrafts, textiles, silver and carving works - a great opportunity to buy souvenirs and support local craftspeople.

The Shinta Mani hotel can organise a number of tours in the area, as well as visits to see Shinta Mani's development projects in local villages, and a class in Cambodian cookery at the Hospitality Institute.

The town of Siem Reap is great for wandering around, with markets, cafes, local stores and historic colonial architecture to see.

Sustainability

institute of hospitality

Officially opened on June 7, 2004, the Institute of Hospitality is a non-profit vocational training facility funded from the operations of the Sihnta Mani hotel as well as from private individuals. The students are selected by various local NGOs in consultation with the management of the school and are all young Cambodians at risk.

The current 21 students are on a 9 month culinary course and other skills within the hotel industry and when completed they will be able to find permanent employment within Cambodia. As well as free tuition, each student receives a monthly stipend, uniforms, meals, study materials and a weekly supply of 4 kilograms of rice for their families.

other local development projects

The hotel helps many local families to re-build their lives to earn a living. Shinta Mani supports and administers a number of projects that include building wells, donating rice, piglet, sewing machines and bicycles to needy families, and helping to build simple homes.

The hotel supports a free school for orphans.

awards

• Shinta Mani won the Responsible Travel Award at WTM London Nov 2006, and the Best Overseas Tourism Project by the British Guild of Travel Writers, Nov 2006.

Getting There

The hotel is in the heart of Siem Reap's colonial-style French quarter, at the junction of Oum Khum & 14th Streets.

Shinta Mani has an airport, and the hotel can arrange a pick-up for guests.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Low season is from 1 April to 31 October, and high season from 1 November to 31 March.

superior rooms

Standard:

Low season, US$66,

High season, US$80

Poolside:

Low season, US$78

High season, US$90

Living:

Low season, US$88

High season, US$100

deluxe rooms

Low season: US$95

High season: US$105

terms & conditions

• Prices are per room based on double occupancy
• Prices exclude Breakfast and Government Taxes of 12%. There is no service charge.
• Breakfast is available at $10 per person.
• Children under the age of 4 years sharing a room with parents are free of charge.
• Children from 4-12 years sharing a room with parents are charged at US$12 each.
• The rate for a third person in the same room is $25

booking & cancellation policy

• Bookings are confirmed on the payment of a 15% deposit. The remaining 85% is due on departure from hotel.
• Cancellations made at any time will result in loss of 10% deposit.
• 'No shows' or cancellations made less than 7 days prior to arrival in high season, or less than 3 days in low season, will result in a cancellation fee of 60% of entire cost of stay.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.