Golden Temple Residence in Siem Reap Cambodia Review
On a recent family vacation to Siem Reap Cambodia we found a hidden gem boutique hotel called the Golden Temple Residence. Our family planned a summer trip to Thailand where we would explore Bangkok and then travel down into the Gulf of Thailand to the island of Koh Tao for some scuba diving. We decided we had to go travel to Siem Reap Cambodia in between our traveling from Bangkok to the island of Koh Tao. We were excited to go explore the world famous UNESCO heritage site of Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm.
Siem Reap is well known for being just minutes away from some of the most important and famous historical sites in SE Asia, like Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Angkor Tom. Siem Reap is also well known for its plentiful restaurants, French influence, well known Pub Street, the famous Night Market, and super inexpensive shopping. One of the best places to stay in Siem Reap is right in the heart of the city. It was there that we found a tucked away walled in oasis called the Golden Temple Residence. We were reviewing various hotels and vacation rentals on Trip Advisor when we came across the Golden Temple Residence boasting some of the most amazing reviews. We couldn’t believe that there was so many 5 star reviews for a place that was extremely inexpensive for what it has to offer.
The Golden Temple Residence is a boutique hotel right in the heart of the city, right next to the famous Night Market. It’s just a short 3 to 5-minute walk or a short Tuk Tuk ride to Pub Street, which is full of restaurants and bars and only a 5-minute walk to the day market, which is a bargain shopper’s paradise. Special note: Just three doors down is Genevieve’s Restaurant. This restaurant has been some of the best food we’ve had in Cambodia every meal that we ordered was delicious. We can’t recommend it highly enough. Very inexpensive for family of four with drinks we spent only about $50 USD. Another must go see near Siem Reap is the Cambodia Landmine Museum. It’s absolutely eye opening and will change you forever.
The Golden Temple Residence has 28 contemporary designed rooms and suites. Each are decorated in a classic but modern style. The furnishings will meet the expectations of someone with very high standards. The public spaces are of Angkorian-inspired design and represent the culture of Cambodia. The hotel has a wonderful pool with in its sanctuary walls that make for a great place to lounge and cool off with a drink during the hot afternoon. Each night they perform a traditional Khmer dance show which is very well done. There is a nice spa onsite where you can indulge yourself and get pampered. Then there is the restaurant which offers a wide variety of local and other SE Asian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Golden Temple Residence is definitely well maintained and well designed. The best part though is its staff! The quality of service you receive from the hotel staff, from the second you walk in off the street, is absolutely amazing. On our trip they picked us up at the Siem Reap Airport handing us a cold beer and bottled water and placing a Krama (a traditional Cambodian scarf) around our necks. It is a short 15 to 20 minute drive, in an air conditioned van, to the hotel where once you walk in there is a full line of staff there to greet you with cold towels to wipe your face and hands with.
Siem Reap is well known for being just minutes away from some of the most important and famous historical sites in SE Asia Click To Tweet
All during our stay the staff would constantly greet you with a bow and smile, calling you by a Mr. or Mrs. and your fist name. Everywhere I went they would stop and greet us, “Hello Mr. Joe and Mrs. Gina.” They truly wait on you hand and foot. One night my wife wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go lay down (probably worn out with a long day in the heat exploring the Angkor complex). The bartender heard of this and made some special handmade ginger tea and waited outside our door until she had some. He promised it would make her feel better and it did.
One morning we decided to leave at 5AM to go see the famous sunrise over Angkor Wat. The hotel had arranged a tour guide and drive for us that were there waiting in the lobby bright and early. The most amazing thing was the hotel chef got up and made us a picnic breakfast and thermoses of coffee and juice for the kids. Now if that isn’t service I don’t know what is.
It’s all the little things that the staff does that makes the Golden Temple Residence a true gem. We loved the hotel itself and the location couldn’t be beat. We felt like we were staying at a Four Seasons but on a 2-star hotel price. Typically, we don’t normally stay in hotels and lean more towards a vacation rental because of the ease and home like features that make traveling with kids easier. We’ve stayed in small rented apartments in third world countries and we’ve stayed in high end private villas and everything in between. But the Golden Temple Residence is one that will always stand out in our memories and one that we will definitely recommend to anyone that is traveling on vacation to Siem Reap!