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#TBT: REVIEW – Hotel – La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

#TBT: REVIEW – Hotel – La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh, CambodiaScore 80%Score 80%

Stay: 19 to 20 March 2016
Stars: 5
Room: Pool View Suite
Size: 45 sqm (300 sqf)
Bed: King
Per Night Average: ~AU$200
Address: 4B, St. 21, Tonle Bassac, Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh
Phone: (+855) 23-222 254
Email: RELAX@LAROSESUITES.COM
Web: www.larosesuites.com

Introduction

I had spent a night, a week before in Phnom Penh at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a perfect beginning to my journey. A night at La Rose Suites, would end my visit to Cambodia.

Just so you know, there are two properties in the La Rose brand, both in Phnom Penh. One is La Rose Suites, and the other is the 4 star La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa. The decor of both is similar, but there is a difference in price, location, property and room size. The suites has 25 rooms, and the Boutique has only 10.

a pool with trees around it

Booking & Price

We booked via our travel agent, and later had to change things, as my husband was a late cancellation, and couldn’t make this leg of the trip. We needed to reduce the stay to 1 night with 1 person staying. We had booked at a non-refundable rate, but the hotel very graciously refunded the charges for the two nights we cancelled.

Details

The Hotel is not far from the Independence Monument and embassy district. It’s a little over a half kilometre from the Royal Palace, so the tree lined location is pretty good.

a walkway with plants on it

Location & Arrival

You arrive at the hotel via a long covered garden corridor with the hotel pool on your right. There was someone to help me with my luggage, and I was soon checked in and directed to my room.

a hallway with a tile floor and a ceiling fan
My door at the end of the corridor

The corridors are nicely decorated, and have feature door surrounds. The corridors are a little on the thin side, and the plinths with sculptures and other decorative obsticles don’t help with that.

a letter of a man

Check-in

This was swiftly done using my printed itinerary as evidence. I don’t remember lifts. I think the stairs were the only access to drag my bags up. Staff were very welcoming pointing out where breakfast would be served (downstairs).

The welcome letter points out that the hotel supports a charitable initiative: Pour un Sourire d’Enfant to bring the ‘miserable children’ out of the misery of raking through Cambodia’s stinking rubbish dumps. The language is a bit clumsy but given the poverty of Cambodia, an aim to be lauded and financially supported.

a hallway with a statue and artwork on the wall
View of the corridor from the door to my room
a room with a bed and a table

The Room

It’s a large room with all that is needed, including a seating area and desk as well as a bed, side tables wardrobe and TV console. Actually, on second thought, it could have done with a more relaxing place to sit – a lounge would have been a welcome addition. The desk was to the right of the entrance, with the bed, seating area, wardrobes and bathroom to the left. Straight ahead and a little to the left was a lovely window with views down to the pool.

a bed with a canopy over it

My room faced west, so it attracted glorious sunlight, but unfortunately with the accompanying heat in the afternoon. Fortunately the room was airconditioned, although the outlet (see image above), did tend to provide a cascade of cold air to the feet when in bed.

a bed with pillows and a canopy over it

Bedroom

Beautiful polished timber floors, a canopied and curtained bed, and some sharp black and ecru check. What is not to like?

a room with a tv and chairs

The bed was a little softer than I was expecting, but still had the ‘Asian hard’ feel that you expect in this part of the world. Power sockets, usable bedside lamps, phone and note pad were all present.

The only downside was that the light switches were on the power cords, which I never find as convenient as when they are located on the actual lamp. On the upside, there were little swan-necked pinpoint reading lights located above the pillows either side of the bed. Very useful.

a bed with a canopy over it
Beautifully made bed, looking inviting – note those little reading lights above the pillows on either side.
a telephone and notepad on a desk

The decor was the ubiquitous images of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples, in this case, Ta Prohm – otherwise known as the ‘tomb raiders’ temple, featuring trees growing within the walls and roofs of the ruins. I know its picky, but I would have gone for one large colour shot rather than this triptych.

a picture of a woman on a wall

All the woodwork has been stained to mimic the reddish brown of tropical mahogany. The contrast with the white walls was stark. Maybe an off white would have been more successful.

a tv on a table
Yes the TV was on the small side. I don’t remember even turning it on.

The bedroom was large with lots of space. However it didn’t feel cohesive, or as if the space was well used. I loved the two seats either side of the coffee table, and the view outside to the lush gardens surrounding the pool, but would have really preferred a lounge, to well, ‘lounge’ on.

I fully approve of the wooden floor and lack of carpeting. It adds to the cool.

a plate with fruit and a napkin on it
Dragon fruit – looks beautiful, but more refreshing and textural than full of flavour.

Mini-Bar

There was a small fridge in the bureau, below the TV. I don’t have any images of its contents, unfortunately. Drinking water was provided, along with a very tempting bowl of fruit on the coffee table which included sweet lady finger bananas, an apple, those sweet Asian mandarin style citrus, and the visually spectacular dragon fruit.

bottles of water on a counter

The desk offered tissues, water, hand cream and a portable bluetooth speaker – all very useful.

a desk with a chair and a mirror

The lamp, with a weathered wood base was arresting, but not entirely to my taste.

a room with a bed and a desk

The seating area adjacent to the window was convenient, offering enticing views of the pool, 5 levels below, however, I would have preferred a lounge or padded chair to relax in.

a table with fruit on it and two chairs in front of a window

The Bathroom

This was one of Cambodia’s concrete/terrazzo triumphs, especially the black bath. However, this terrazzo never looks entirely clean, and tends to hold stains. Not really what you want in a bathroom. It makes you realise how good tiles are at projecting hygiene and cleanliness. Knai Bang Chat in Kep, had a similar concrete treatment, with similar results.

a bathroom with a mirror and sink

The basin, with its draining racks worked a treat. The shower was efficient, but the bath, which I tried briefly, was a little short, and not particularly comfortable.

a bathtub in a bathroom

There were enough towels for me – but this would not have been enough if two people occupied the room.

a bathroom with a glass shower door and toilet

Overall, the bathroom was small, but well thought out with everything I needed. The bath was disappointing.

Public Areas – Breakfast

The Banana Tree Restaurant also doubles as a breakfasting area. It’s located downstairs, effectively in the basement with the same white and dark wood and fabric theme of the other public areas of the hotel. It wasn’t unpleasant, just a little stark, or maybe that was the lighting.

a staircase with a painting on the wall
Heading down to the basement

The public spaces come with an Indochina aesthetic and touches of the ubiquitous Angkorian Apsara dancers.

a room with a table and chairs
Breakfast in the basement
a room with a table and chairs and paintings on the wall
Black and white and terracotta
a room with tables and chairs
Some red relief, and of course a TV on the wall.
a room with a bar and chairs
Restaurant and bar

Breakfast was à la carte with both asian and western options. Satisfying but not inspired.

a pool surrounded by trees

2PAXfly Takeout

I spent an afternoon in the hotel, relaxing after an enjoyable week of birthday partying with friends down in Kep. This was going to be my few hours rest before heading to hectic Hong Kong and gambling Macau with my husband.

I spent some time on the phone and with reception staff organising to have my jeans returned from Raffles. I’d left them there the week before. They were delivered promptly, and I used my remaining US currency to (probably) overtip the motorbike driver who returned them.

I don’t think I did the hotel justice. I spent my time in the room, napping in the afternoon, and recovering the hours of sleep I had lost the week before. La Rose Suites was more of a weigh station for me between destinations and meeting up with my partner.

Service at the hotel is friendly and professional. The majority of the uniformed staff are trained by PSE, a non-government organisation which provides underprivileged young people the hospitality skills. The constant smiles from staff are a great tonic for the weary traveller.

Review

80%

Summary Stylish, large rooms with four-poster beds and friendly staff

An oasis in Phnom Penh. Luxury at a reasonable price with smiling staff and large well-decorated rooms with four-poster beds
80%

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