Cambodian Pchum Ben or Soul Day

Cambodian Pchum Ben or Soul Day - Running for 15 days from the end of September into October, and the exact date determined by the lunar calendar, this festival is dedicated to blessing the spirits of the dead, and is one of the most culturally significant in Cambodia.

Each household visits their Buddhist temple and offers food to the monks for their assistance in blessing the souls of late ancestors, relatives and friends. Pagodas are crowded with people taking their turn to make offerings, with many staying behind to listen to Buddhist sermons.

Cambodians believe that although most living creatures are reincarnated at death, due to bad karma, some souls are not reincarnated but rather remain trapped in the spirit world. Each year, for fifteen days, these souls are released from the spirit world to search for their living relatives, meditate and repent.

The fifteen-day observance of Prachum Benda, or Ancestors' Day, is a time for living relatives to remember their ancestors and offer food to those unfortunate enough to have become trapped in the spirit world. Furthermore, it is an important opportunity for living relatives to meditate and pray to help reduce the bad karma of their ancestors, thus enabling the ancestors to become reincarnated and leave the torment and misery of the spirit world.

Text courtesy of: http://www.mot.gov.kh and http://www.khmerinstitute.org/culture/pchumben.html

Photo courtesy of khmernz.blogspot.com/2008_09_16_archive.html

Resorts in Siem Reap

A 5-Star Retreat Within This Siem Reap Luxury Hotel Accommodation
Be immersed in the rich tradition and lush landscape of Angkor Palace Resort & Spa – an impressive Siem Reap luxury hotel reflecting the finest in Cambodian architecture befitting royalties and dignitaries.

The only resort with authentic Cambodian décor and furnishings, this tranquil Siem Reap resort is a true sanctuary shrouded in warm hospitality.

Enjoy A True Cambodian Santuary Within This Siem Reap Resort

Discover the exclusive haven of Angkor Palace – a luxury Siem Reap 5-star hotel cloaked in the exotic history, romance, and legends of Cambodia. Reserve your stay online for preferred rates.

Only 5minute

Only 5minutes:

- Only less than 5minute drive to Angkor Golf Resort
- Only less than 5minute drive to Cambodian Cultural Village
- Only 5minute drive to Siem Reap War Museum
- Only 5minute drive to Angkor Wat Temple Complex
- Only 5minute drive to Siem Reap Pub-Street
- Only 5minute drive to Angkor Night Market
- Only 5minute drive to Angkor National Museum
- Only 5minute drive to Old Market (Phsar Chhas)
- Only 5minute drive to Siem Reap International Airport

The charming Siem Reap city is a very small town compare to other cities in Asia. Travellers come to this city to relax and explore the magnificent Angkor Temples, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

At the ‘Palace’, you can stroll in lush landscaped gardens, swing your golf ball at the driving range, play tennis, be pampered in the spa, laze by the large swimming pool... and indulge in other leisure pursuits!Because of this unique location (150ms away from the main road), travellers will truly revel in an atmosphere of fresh air and serenity away from the dust of the main road where many hotels are located.

For a sample of nightlife, visit Pub Street (bar street), a vibrant strip of bars, restaurants and retail shops in town. Angkor Palace Resort & Spa provides a complimentary daily shuttle service to Pub Street every evening from 1900hrs until 2300hrs on the hour.

Please contact our Concierge to reserve your seat.For guests who do not wish to venture out of the resort, there is evening entertainment in the form of a live band performance every night (except Monday). Do enquire about the Happy Hour discount at our Lobby Lounge from any of our staff.

Temple to Treatment

As if the temples at Angkor weren't enough of a draw, now you can temple hop to your heart's content, knowing that when you return to your hotel a re-energizing massage awaits. Angkor Palace Resort & Spa is a secluded retreat with bright, airy rooms furnished with understated elegance and balconies looking out over the deliciously curvy pool.

One of the biggest spas in Siem Reap with ten treatment rooms, Kainnora Spa is set in the middle of the landscaped gardens, among which you can enjoy an alfresco traditional Khmer massage or Jacuzzi. Also on the menu is the hot compress and the spa's sauna, and steam for the most relaxing way to finish your treatment.

For more details visit: http://www.angkorpalaceresort.com/facility/item/spa_recreation_/kainnora_spa.aspx

What to do/visit in Siem Reap in Four-Hours?

Beside the temples, you can do a lot more in Siem Reap. In fact, there are things that tourists did not discover or even aware of the new tourist products. If you are in Siem Reap for less than 4-hours, we would recommend you to consider the following places:

1. Helicopter Scenic Flight: Be amazed by the enormous scale of the World Heritage site of Angkor. Your flight begins from Siem Reap International Airport, then onwards to Angkor Wat. Fly along the moat of the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple and appreciate the size and beauty of this archaeological wonder. For more details, please contact HeliStar Cambodia – http://www.helistarcambodia.com/

2. Bird Watching: Siem Reap offers some unique bird watching opportunities. The Prek Toal bird sanctuary on the Tonle Sap Lake and the Ang Trapeng Thmor reservoir northeast of Siem Reap both are home to many rare and threatened species.

3. Learn How to Cook Khmer Food: To experience and to respect of its beauty of the culture; if you are already in Siem Reap, you should spend your valued time to learn how to cook Khmer food. Contact our Chef at Angkor Palace Resort & Spa – chef@angkorpalaceresort.com to arrange the cooking session for you. Tour the local market with our Chef to select the ingredients; Chef will do a cooking demonstration and activities, you can chose from choice of a 3-course Khmer set menu to cook those include starter-main course-and dessert. End of the session you will enjoy your food testing and the meal that you have just prepared. Of course there is a complementary glass of wine to accompany your meal.

4. Happy Shopping @ Angkor Night Market: This is one of “must see” in Siem Reap; especially at night. Shopping and dining experience in a vibrant, contemporary Khmer environment. There are over 200 shops to choose from! http://www.angkornightmarket.com/

5. Horse Riding – The Happy Ranch: Set on 10 acres of beautiful Khmer countryside, around a miniature lake, the ranch accommodates 29 horses, stallions, mares and foals. The facilities include restrooms, a round pen, a dressage arena, 20 large and clean stalls in the stables. Fully equipped, the ranch have both Western and English saddles, safety horse-riding helmets… http://www.thehappyranch.com/


There are more than just about five recommendations. Do check our Blog often; we will occasionally explain more about things can be done/visit in Siem Reap, beside the temple. In the meantime, have a nice weekend everyone!

Romantic Getaway

A romantic escapade awaits at Angkor Palace Resort & Spa. Wine, dine and enjoy a spa retreat with your loved one. A magical experience not to be missed!

Indulge in a passionate retreat in the land of the former Khmer Empire! Enjoy this romantic respite for lovers in a heavenly room where you and your love one will be treated to an enchanting sweet welcome upon arrival, a romantic candlelight dinner at our Soriya Restaurant or by in-room dining (applicable only for reservation in One-Bedroom Suite and Frangipani Villa), and you will have every morning to treasure together dining over breakfast at Sunset Café.

Celebrate your cherished moments in our tropical paradise with our special Honeymoon Heaven.

>>> Room Type

* Premier Deluxe Room: USD 152.00+++ per room per night per couple
* One-Bedroom Suite: USD 255.00+++ per room per night per couple
* Frangipani Villa: USD 510.00+++ per room per night per couple

>>> Package Inclusions:

* Accommodation: guarantee double bed with rose petal décor
* Guaranteed green view room with private balcony
* Valet escort to your room upon arrival
* One time romantic candlelight dinner for two at our Soriya Restaurant or by in-room dining (applicable only for reservation in One-Bedroom Suite and Frangipani Villa) inclusive of a bottle of red wine.
* One time 55mn traditional Khmer Massage for two persons at Kainnora Spa
* A private round-trip airport transfer by our hotel car
* Daily Buffet Breakfast
* Special honeymoon welcome hand garland & and welcome drink upon arrival
* Complimentary tropical fruits in room daily
* Guaranteed early check-in at 1000hrs
* Guaranteed late check-out at 1600hrs

>>> Terms & Conditions:

* Minimum 2 nights stay is required
* All rates are quoted in US Dollar per room per night
* All rates are subject to 5% service charge, 2% Accommodation Tax, and 10% VAT
* Bookings are subject to advance reservations and availability
* All rates are subject to change without prior notice
* Not applicable for group bookings.
* Booking & Travel Date: Now until 30th September 2010

>>> Send enquiries to our Reservations Department
Email: reservation@angkorpalaceresort.com
Tel: +855 63 966 123 or +855 63 760 511
Mobile: +855 12 333 240
Fax: +855 63 966 335

For Online Booking with Instant Confirmation, Click HERE!

Angkor Palace Resort & Spa - Nominee 2010 World Luxury Hotel Award

Voting Link: http://www.luxuryhotelawards.com/Vote/vote.asp?id=2974

Honorary World President of SKAL International to visit Siem Reap-Angkor June 2-4, 2010

Press Release

For immediate release: June 1, 2010

Honorary World President of SKAL International to visit Siem Reap-Angkor June 2-4, 2010

Mr. Uzi Yalon will hold a brief Press Conference at 9am on Friday morning, June 4th at the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa in Siem Reap – Angkor, Cambodia

Press contact: Charles Evans +855(0)17.906.721 E-Mail: SKALSiemReap.org@Gmail.com

Mr. Uzi Yalon, (of Jerusalem, Israel) an Honorary World President of SKAL International (Past President 1993-1994) will arrive in Siem Reap for a brief vacation, on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.

Mr. Uzi Talon will present his views on the current state of Global Tourism and report on his observations during the recent 39th SKAL Asia International World Congress/ General Assembly held at the Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort & Spa in Cebu, Philippines. (May 26-May 30)

SKAL is the largest travel and tourism organization in the world and the exclusive membership is made up of the top executives in the industry. SKAL International has 500+ clubs in 90 countries.

“Our industry is one that accounts for 10 percent of the world’s GDP and nearly 900 million travelers around the world annually. And as the financial contagion normalizes in the years ahead, we can expect Asia’s tourism growth to be significant. The 21st century has ushered phenomenal growth in Asia, and the prospect for membership growth is full of promise”.

SKAL International Siem Reap was organized in late 2008, but had become inactive until the May 24, 2010 appointment of a new Board of Directors and committee members. An informative web page is available at http://www.skalsiemreap.org/

END

Mr. Uzi Yalon will be briefly available for questions/photographs. Mr. Uzi Yalon will stay in Phnom Penh from June 4th until June 7th.

Many of our SKAL International Siem Reap members will plan on attending this press conference.
Additional information sources: http://www.skal.org/, http://www.skalasia.org/, http://www.skalsiemreap.org/

CONTACT: Charles Evans +855 (0)17.906.721 +855 (0) 63.969.200 Fax: + 855 (0) 63.969.201 SKYPE: Charles 4519 E-Mail: SKALSiemReap.org@Gmail.com

Angkor Palace Resort & Spa - A SUMMIT Hotels & Resortds Ranked as One of World’s Best Hotels on Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ List

PRESS RELEASE!


Angkor Palace Resort & Spa - A SUMMIT Hotels & Resortds Ranked as One of World’s Best Hotels on Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ List

Siem Reap (17th May 2010) – Expedia® travelers have ranked Angkor Palace Resort & Spa – A SUMMIT Hotels & Resorts among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list. The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.

“Delivering superior service to our guests is always a top priority at Angkor Palace Resort & Spa – A SUMMIT Hotels & Resorts,” said Mr. Weng Aow, General Manager. “We are pleased that our efforts have been acknowledged by Expedia travelers and we look forward to extending our high level of service to even more guests!”

The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on the more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia, combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide, resulting in an easy-to-browse list that provides travelers with a powerful way to find the perfect hotel using the trusted insight of other travelers like them. The list showcases the diverse selection of travel destinations and hotel properties.

For more information, visit www.expedia.com/insidersselect.


About Angkor Palace Resort & Spa

One of the leading hotels in Siem Reap, Angkor Palace Resort & Spa is the first Cambodian-owned premier luxury five-star resort accommodation. Its design, décor and furnishing reflect the finest in Cambodian architecture befitting royalties and dignitaries.

Angkor Palace Resort & Spa is a member of Summit Hotels & Resorts™, an acclaimed collection of more than 150 hotels and resorts around the world, in the Preferred Hotel Group™ family of brands which represents over 700 independent properties.

End of the Press Release

We are featuring in IS Magazine Online

Escape Routes, May 07, 2010
http://is-magazine.com/feature/escape-routes-may-07-2010

The Splendor of Angkor

Unless you were born into a world of privilege, reality stipulates that you work to put food on the table. The Summit Hotels and Resorts, however, wishes to liberate you from such obligations and invites you for a luxurious stay at the Angkor Palace Resort and Spa (555 Phum Kruos, Khum Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia, +855-63 760-511, http://www.angkorpalaceresort.com/), one in its fine stable of hotels in Siem Reap.

With the All Inclusive Plan offered by the first Cambodian-owned five-star resort, most of your in-house consumption is covered. Dine like an emperor with entitlements that apply to all meals from the a la carte menu in the resort restaurant, pool bar, lobby lounge and room service.

From now until May 2010, pay only US$248 (approximately $341) per night for single, double or twin occupancy in the Deluxe Room, boasting panoramic views of gorgeous landscapes or US$348 (approximately $479) per night for single or double occupancy in the exquisitely-furnished Suite Room.

Log on to http://www.angkorpalaceresort.com/ for more information.