Hotel: Spa Corner Residence

As soon as I entered the hotel, I felt zen. And I'm usually full of energy, so that says a lot. Upon arrival, my friend and I were escorted to a relaxing room by the entrance, which had the most calming aroma. We were given cold flannels, sweet potato crisps, and fresh juice. I requested refills of the sweet potato crisps about three times. Sometimes pictures look good from afar but in reality are far from good; however, I definitely won when booking this boutique hotel.

I want to say it was the earthy colour tones in the bedrooms, and spa that created the zen environment, but it was more than that. It was a feeling, that I’d like to bottle up and spray around my house. The aroma and the music made me want to nap. And who doesn't love a good nap? The ambience was just perfect.

All the feels

The staff were really friendly and went out of their way to make our stay in Siem Reap unforgettable. They pointed us in the right direction for food places, dropped us off at venues in the area, and even doubled as tour operators, taking us to Angkor Wat.

My three favorite things about Spa Corner Residence were the rooftop space—it was perfect for practicing yoga at sunset and sunrise—the chill space in the bedrooms, filled with cushions, and the swimming pool swing (more for pictures than purpose!).

Spa

The long-term aim is for this hotel to turn into a day spa, which kills my dream of booking a one-way ticket to Cambodia and living in this hotel. But the energy was so relaxed and spa-esque that the idea didn't shock me. I sampled the spa treatments and received a complimentary 60-minute full-body Khmer massage. Never underestimate a petite masseuse—Thai massages no longer hold the title for firmness. The spa rooms were decorated with earthy, red, and gold tones. I couldn't walk through the hallway to the treatment rooms without taking pictures. I felt like I was in a Herbal Essence commercial.

Wrap up

One thing I didn't see coming and needs a warning, is the swimming pool's depth changing swiftly. I nearly drowned while attempting a photoshoot! But when I say this hotel is a vibe, I don't say it halfheartedly. If I could have extended my stay, I would have without hesitation. I loved my stay at the Spa Corner Residence and my whole time in Siem Reap. If Siem Reap is on your list of places to visit you need to read this post.

A Frizzy Experience… Siem Reap

First Impressions

The first thing I noticed after a 6-hour coach ride into Siem Reap was how dusty Siem Reap was. I have never reached for a bandana so quick in my life.

Money

Dollars are the main currency used in Cambodia. They also have Cambodian Riel, which I made sure to get during a transaction for souvenir purposes as the currency is really weak and using dollars works out better for you.

What I Did In Siem Reap

• Partied at the Cambo Beach Club. A man-made beach in Siem Reap, that serves food and drink and is a really chilled location. I fast myself there because on their website they said it was Afrobeats day. I was extremely excited but the joke was on me because, I got there and all I heard was some dance-ish, techno music. I wanted to cry. A couple of sweet words later, it became my Afrobeats beach party. The end.

• Spent the afternoon at the local school, Stung Themy, teaching English to the local children and playing games with them.

• Experienced a Khmer massage at the Secret Corner Residence. If you think Thai massages are hardcore, wait until you have one of these!

• Visited Angkor Wat, the biggest religious monument in the world. I bought a 1-day pass, and I underestimated how much there was to see and take in.

Food

The food in Siem Reap was amazing. Rice is the go to. There is an abundance of fruit available. Fresh smoothies and juices are available in every restaurant. You will have to get used to some of your meals coming with a fried egg on top of it, even when it isn’t mentioned on the menu. But when I say amazing, the food was always well seasoned, not spicy but flavoured, and the curries were extra saucy. I hate going places and they are stingy on the sauce. I’m extra I know, but I don’t like eating dry rice!

I didn’t hold back with eating in Siem Reap. I was in a constant state of hunger and forever ready to eat a curry, (even in 30 plus degree weather). Pub Street ,also known as Street 8, is known for its luxury and high-end restaurants that naturally give you less for your money but I really wanted to eat my amok curry out of banana leaves so I was found there at dinner times singing along with live bands. You can get funky dishes like frog there. But at all other times, I was a regular on Sok San road. I would eat 2 lunches there daily and I also grew an unhealthy obsession with fresh avocado and coconut smoothies.

By Siem Reap’s ‘Art Center night market’ there are food stalls. The stalls are on the side of the road, and there is a dining area on the pavement. No joke, my dinner there hit the spot. It worked out being noodles, with some greens and King prawns. With a fried egg thrown in for extra measure, of course! But that meal sweet me so good and the sauce was litty! The food isn’t ‘Instagram pic worthy’ but the flavours were everything.

Food Recommendations

Amok fish curry: A creamy curry with coconut milk as a base which is seasoned with turmeric, lemongrass and other ground spices. You can have it with chicken but it’s not the same. For aesthetic purposes get it in banana leaves, it’s the traditional way and it just looks nicer.

Lok Lak: Lightly fried strips of beef, with salad on the side and a fried egg on top. It comes with granules on the side and a wedge of lime which makes the sauce.

Khmer Curry: A chicken curry stew with carrots and potatoes inside.

Wrap Up

Siem Reap really has my heart and for sure it is somewhere that I would go back to. My friend described it as a hippy city and they aren’t my exact words but I agree that it really is that chilled, “everything gon’ be alright” sort of place. Bohemian would be my one word. Yes, Siem Reap is bohemian. Everyone, there is friendly, community-focused and give off positive energy. It’s not an expensive city yet allows you to experience the good-good life with spas, delicious food, boutique hotels all being accessible to you. If I ever have to skip the UK, I’m pretty sure you’ll find me in Siem Reap pretending to be humble.

What city to visit in Cambodia?

I crossed the border from Vietnam into Cambodia in February 2020. Before booking to go Cambodia, I had no prior knowledge of the country, except that Angelina Jolie had adopted her son from there. But my gut said that I would love it in Cambodia. If I listened to the views of others about Cambodia I would have skrr’d and not visited. Turns out half the people with a negative opinion had heard stories “through the grapevine” and hadn’t even been to Cambodia. You might be stuck with the question, what city do I go to? So I’m breaking down the differences when it comes to staying in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and Siem Reap.

Vibe

Siem Reap is all about community life. The people are super friendly and chilled. Solo travel would be ideal in this city as you can be alone but not feel lonely. There’s also the option to fully immerse yourself in the community. I was able to enter a school and be part of a 2 hour English class on the day.

Phnom Penh is more lively and gives off an “every man for themselves” feel. I was warned by hotel staff to stay alert as people stay ready to steal your phone in public. My friend was out and about one night and someone on a motorbike attempted to steal the phone of someone she was with.

*Siem Reap wins on the vibe for me. Even though I’m “anti” I like to feel welcome when I travel!*

Hotels

In both cities, I stayed in cute hotels with swimming pools. The places that I stayed in were both away from the party area, which was a must after the areas I’d stayed in before. In Phnom Penh I stayed in Okay Boutique Hotel and in Siem Reap I stayed in The Secret Corner Unique Residence

*Siem Reap wins on the hotel front. The hotel in Siem Reap was a boutique and therefore much more intimate. Plus the staff dropped us to venues in the area which was sweet*

Things To Do

Siem Reap is the closest city to Angkor Wat, also known as the city of temples. It is a major tourist attraction and the largest religious monument in the world. So a big big deal! People come from around the world to visit there, and spend anything from 1,2 and 3 days exploring. Tomb Raider was also filmed there I believe. In Siem Reap there is also a man-made beach club, which was a motive once I took over the music. They usually have live DJ sets.

Phnom Penh offers a detailed remembrance of the Cambodian Genocide and has buildings to highlight their history. You can visit the Killing Fields and S21 to learn about what happened during the Khmer Rouge era. There are also various temples and the beautiful Presidential Palace that you can visit. The views and architecture are proper breathtaking. Plus if cats are your thing they have cat cafes in this city. (They make me itch but the cafes are popular)

*Phnom Penh wins with things to do. There is just so much to see. I’m big on learning about historical events and culture in general and this city provides the biggest variety*

The Presidential Palace Grounds - Phnom Penh

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap

Markets

Phnom Penh has really lively night markets that include live bands, food stalls and clothes galore. The Russian Market and Central Market are the most popular. I got lost in the Central Market and panicked majorly because there was so much going on. They sell everything from suitcases, jade bracelets, clothing, to woodwork there.

Siem Reap has a day market just off of Pub Street, and a night market by the lake. The products are quite repetitive though. Once you’ve seen a few vendors you’ve seen them all!

*Phnom Penh wins with their markets. There are more choices and extras.*

Food Places

Phnom Penh offers river trips where you can dine on the boat. It’s a nice experience but the river isn’t appealing at all. Food stalls in the Russian night market offer floor seating and the items you put into a basket get cooked in front of you which is an experience. The restaurants and bars on the main strip were very western. And the stalls around the city were surrounded by rubbish bags, horrific smelling with dust around them. That whole set up made me feel uncomfortable so I avoided the food stalls in Phnom Penh. The only aroma I like to smell is the good stuff coming from my food.

Siem Reap has Pub Street where luxury restaurants are situated and bars. Big prices, minimal food, the usual set up. But just around the corner literally, on the side of the road by the lake bridge, there are stalls that provide the best food you’ll have in Cambodia. You’re sitting on plastic chairs at a table for primary school children but the energy and food is everything.

*Siem Reap wins here but it really comes down to preference on this one. Either way, the food in Cambodia is amazing though.*

Wrap Up

When I add up the sections Siem Reap wins. I 100% had a more enjoyable experience in Siem Reap. I’m not anti-Phnom Penh though and I’m happy I visited the city. Ultimately, I learned what I needed to about the country’s past which was my sole focus for visiting that city. There’s nothing that would pull me back to Phnom Penh, whereas with Siem Reap it’s the sort of place I would continuously go back to. It’s comforting and vibezy. I could see Siem Reap as a base for someone who could work remotely and just wanted to live and breathe freely.

If you want some in-depth deetz from my experience in each of the cities read ‘Frizzy’s guide to … Phnom Penh or Siem Reap