The 39-floor Vattanac Capital Tower is an iconic skyscraper strategically located by the Royal Palace, offering unobstructed views of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. The top 14 floors is the home to Rosewood Phnom Penh, an ultra-luxury hotel with an iconic sky bar, SORA.
As we drove through the capital in the hotel van, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This was my first time in Phnom Penh; my last trip to Cambodia was 15 years ago to Siem Reap. The memory of ruined temples and the encounter of a street-wise 9-year-old flower seller is still vivid. What would the vibe be like in the capital city, and how about the bar scene?
The hotel comprises of 175 rooms and offers multiple ultra-luxury experiences, including six innovative dining venues, seven spa treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, gym, and event spaces. The reception is located on the 35th floor, where we were checked-in and to finally get connected to the world digitally.
Vattanac Capital Tower [Iamge source: Rosewood Phnom Penh]
Rooms
The rooms on Rosewood Phnom Penh come in five variations to suite different comfort. Our Signature Suite at the far end of the floor overlooks the river. Each room is designed with refined residential furnishings, featuring a King-size bed, marble floor bathroom with a separate walk-in shower, and a “speakeasy” toilet.
The champagne was a delightful gesture as we settled in our room to prepare for the packed itinerary to come. As I always do with any hotel rooms, the refreshment area often sets the tone for the level of hospitality in the establishment. Here, I found a comprehensive selection of amenities, including the complimentary teas and coffee provided with a Nespresso machine, accompanied by a thoughtful provision of fresh milk in the mini fridge. Water in glass bottles and not plastic, which spoke volume about the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Moreover, I was impressed by the array of dedicated glassware available, from a porcelain tea pot with accompany cups, to espresso and coffee cups. However, it was the inclusion of highball and rock glasses, each paired with its own refined stirrer of matching height, that truly showcased the hotel’s attention to sophistication and detail.
During turn-down service, miniature spirits featuring local distilleries would be displayed (please check the in-room service rate for consumption), encouraging you to wind down and enjoy a sip of Cambodian spirit which may pique your interest in visiting their facilities in the city.
It's the smallest details that make the biggest difference in my stay here at Rosewood: the phone cable strap for my loose cable, a wiping cloth for my glasses, a cleaned and tidied room upon my return after a day of activities, and a zip lock bag with a flight liquid allowance note the day before I checked out... It all shows so much care.
Breakfast
Rosewood’s breakfast at Brasserie Louis offers a simple spread and comforting ala carte dishes to ready your day. Indulge in a freshly baked range of croissants and Danishes, breads and jams made in-house, and a breakfast spread of bacon and sausages, daily meat roast, fresh fruits, nuts, and dairy. You can even create your own charcuterie board from the cold plates offered on the buffet counter.
A must-try on the breakfast's ala carte menu, Crepe Bretonne [Photo: Kim Choong]
The à la carte menu (complimentary for in-house guests) is the highlight for me, featuring a mix of Khmer, Asian, and Western dishes, which also helps reduce waste. My favourites include Bobor (Rice Porridge, Chicken or Pork, Fried Scallion, Sprouts) and Mee Cha (Fried Noodles, Beef or Chicken, Egg, Sprouts, Chive) from the Khmer section, and Crêpe Bretonne (Buckwheat Brittany Pancake Ham, Emmental Cheese, Fried Egg) from the Western section.
Bars & Restaurants
Honouring the local culture and spirit of Cambodia, the restaurants and bars at Rosewood Phnom Penh use locally sourced ingredients, working closely with reputable farmers and producers in the country.
The must-visit is SORA, meaning “sky” in Japanese. The highest sky bar in Cambodia comprises an indoor section, a cantilevered terrace bar, and a top deck, is the perfect place to watch the sunset while enjoying a drink.
A destination for a stunning sunset view and world-class quality cocktails. [Photo: Kim Choong]
I wanted to make sure I wasn’t too dressed down for the world-class cocktail bar, but I was told that as long as I was not wearing swimming attire and flip flops, I’d be fine. I really appreciate the non-posh laid-back attitude. “It’s important that our guests feel comfortable here (in the hotel),” said Timothy Edgecombe, Rosewood Phnom Penh’s easygoing Director of Sales & Marketing. Though the heat in the city is really not for suits and shirts, Timothy had to remove his jacket to get a little air while we’re out on the top deck.
Determined to establish Phnom Penh as a must-visit cocktail destination, Director of Bars, Bob Louison, and Bar Manager, Lam Ka Tsun (also known as “KT”), are working hard to promote SORA Bar's name in other cities through guest shifts and top-quality hospitality. They have been touring Asia so do try out their drinks if they’re in your city. Visal Sor Soa, Assistant Bar Manager who is local to Phnom Penh, has a vibrant personality that is contagious and the go-to person to ask about Cambodian local ingredients. SORA is certainly getting noticed by the bar industry around the world starting with it first inclusion into World’s 50 Best Discovery in October 2023.
From left: The Bow & the Arrow, Jewel Princess, Green Leaf Fizz [Photo: Kim Choong]
After flooded our phones with sunset selfies, we adjourned indoor with a mission to taste every drink in the “The Book of Yokai”. The menu illustrates drinks created with Japanese mythological creatures mirroring one of four Cambodian staples such as rice, Kampot pepper, sugar palm, and banana. Each cocktail tells the story of a Japanese mythological creature of Dragon, Tanuki, Kitsune, and Tengu, their tales, and the use of ingredients in honour of the Cambodian native ingredients. Leaf through the four sections, each comprising three cocktails and one mocktail, read the stories that come with each drink with an imagination of the creatures coming to life through flavours from the drinks.
From left: Magnum Opus, Shogun, Elixir [Photo: Kim Choong]
In addition to crafting lip-smacking cocktails, KT’s knowledge about whisky and cigars is a great addition to the The Whisky Library's existing menu curated by Proof & Co.. The single malt selection here is the largest in the country. This is where I found the first bottle of single malt from my birth year, a Balvenie 1981, and the first single malt that got me hooked—what were the chances? Cigar lovers will be thrilled to find 24 varieties of cigars and vintages. Set behind cosy glass panels and leather sofas, the equally clubby bar counter is the best spot to watch bartenders make your order. There are six whisky cocktails, each as photogenic and sublime as the other against the backdrop of the classy spirit back shelf.
CUTS offers four spaces for both large and small groups, as well as a fine dining. With over 3,000 bottles and 279 varieties of wines in the Wine Vault, guests can enjoy hand-cut artisanal meats and wine pairings curated by Chef de Cuisine Danny, Pastry Chef Dustin, and Sommelier Eden.
Zhan Liang, located on the ground floor of the mall, serves Cantonese, Szechuanese, and Northern Chinese cuisine. The kitchen is led by award-winning Chef Teng Kam Seng from Malaysia, who shares a passion for using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients while respecting traditional Chinese cooking methods.
Experience the ultra-luxury Cambodia
“A Sense of Place” is Rosewood’s brand philosophy, which is reflected trough their use of space and curated experiences.
A remork is a popular vehicle to get around the city in a swift. The Rosewood version is a little more polished. [Photo: Kim Choong]
A great value-added to the Suites is the 2- or 4-hour remork (a tuk-tuk that can carry up to four passengers) city tour, guided by a local or the driver. There are also ad-hoc and curated tour experiences available for pre-booking. Check their calendar for upcoming tours and experiences such as street art tours, Khmer architectural tours, treasure hunts, excursions to Silk Island, and cultural dining experience by Chef Nak, the pioneering female chef who fiercely safeguarding Khmer cuisine from extinction.
Attention is also given to fitness and wellness, with a 22-meter indoor lap pool, a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness centre, and seven treatment spas utilizing Khmer ancient healing remedies and practices suitable for both men and women.
The tastefully decorated hotel serves as an Art Gallery for local influential and up-and-coming artists, showcasing their work while echoing Rosewood’s concept of life as a living canvas. Art pieces are available for purchase. The hotel also collaborates with organizations like Project Khmer H.O.P.E., offering training opportunities to youths.
Suites come with a 2- or 4-hour city tour in this cute remork. [Photo: Kim Choong]
My experience at Rosewood Phnom Penh has been a personal one. It has refreshed my perspective to Cambodian culture and expanded my knowledge of Khmer culinary which share many similarities to my Malaysian root.
We toured through the city and its nightlife guided by Rosewood bar team, meeting bartenders and distilleries who showed us their dedication in making sure the Cambodian culture and people are honoured through their work and products. I have a renewed sense of hope that with another Southeast Asian city put on the cocktail map, the spotlight on this part of the world will bring more discovery of flavours and the vast library of ingredients yet to be documented.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. I am famished and I shall return for more.
(Note: The author was hosted for a stay with return flights by Rosewood Phnom Penh.)
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