CAMBODIA: Review of La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa and La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh

bedroom at La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh

In a nutshell 

Sister boutique properties - one four star and the other five - a short walk apart, and both offering luxurious respite from a hectic city in intimate and well thought out surroundings. 

Where is it?

Both La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa (LRBH&S - four star) and La Rose Suites (LRS - five star) are found nestled in quiet streets at the heart of Phnom Penh. 

They're mere minutes away from major city attractions such as Independence Monument, the Royal Palace and the National Museum, and they're the ideal bases from which to take a walk in the local park or a stroll along the riverside promenade. 

Style and character

The interiors of both properties are influenced by the charm of French Indochina architecture and the grandeur of Angkor Wat, but the presence of the spa is strong, and reaches as far as the guest rooms. 

They feel a lot like the ones you're gently ushered into after receiving a relaxing treatment, swathed in a fluffy dressing gown and shuffling in slippers. Think cool concrete floors, spa music coming out of the speakers and oil burners.

Bathrooms are moulded from what looks like stone, with no seams, joins or tiles - like one big wet room. The bedrooms are punctuated with furnishings of organic materials, such as mirror frames pieced together from cross sections of wood, and driftwood lampshades. The overriding feel is minimalistic, serene and natural. They're very pleasant rooms to spend time in.

The format of both public spaces, rooms and decor in the two properties are very similar, although LRS had wooden floor rather than concrete, and no spa music playing on entry. LRBH&S is a lot more intimate with just 10 rooms, where as the newer LRS has 25 rooms, and I believe our room at the former was a little larger than at LRS.

In both, the spa starts in the lobby which doubles up as the hotel reception. It's here you're feet will be washed and given a scrub in a bowl of warm water, before you're lead to a treatment room - cleverly disguised as just another guest room - for the rest of your session.

La Rose Suites, Phnom Penhl

What's unique?

LRS are big on corporate social responsibility. They employ previously impoverished children, graduated from Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) — 'For a Child’s Smile', having previously lived on garbage dumps where they picked junk to sell to support their families. 

Guests are encouraged to help make a difference in the local community, if they are so inclined. The hotels can put you in touch with the right people should you want to undertake a short-term volunteer position and enrich your holiday experience, such as teaching English at a local school, digging wells, painting houses or building toilets. 

Who goes?

During my stay at both hotels, I spotted Americans, Russians, and quite a few Cambodian tourists. I'm told there are independent tour operators that choose to bring their group here, which means they sometimes have large numbers occupying most of the rooms at once.

La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh

Breakfast

At LRHB&S, breakfast is served any time the guest wishes, you just let them know the day before. 

As there are only ten rooms, there is no buffet. You instead make your selection from the Western option (choice of baked goods, eggs, a side dish, juice and a hot drink) or the Asian offering that has a choice of main with a juice and hot drink. Having experienced both, I'd suggest opting for the latter as the Western is a little lacklustre.

Evening meals are a whole league more impressive (see below).

Dining 

A truly glorious meal was had at the La Rose Restaurant in LRBH&S. Both a Western and local Cambodian menu is on offer; there's little contest between the two. 

(Get the Cambodian, obviously). 

There was a beef salad with crisp rice noodles, peppers, cabbage, carrots, herbs, lime, sugar, fish sauce, shallots and garlic. 

Prahok ktis - a potent gathering of minced pork cooked with prahok (the ubiquitous Cambodian crushed, salted and fermented fish paste), pea aubergines and yellow curry - was strong, but oh so very good. You use it like a dip, dunking in crunchy raw veg. If you like Gentleman's Relish and bagna cauda, you would probably love this.

Then there was samlor korko, a favourite Khmer soup amongst the Cambodian people. It's got that salty fermented prahok fish paste again (it's rarely absent in Khmer cuisine - hooray), a spicy kroeung (curry paste - galangal, turmeric, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, kaffir lime, chillies, shrimp paste, salt), river fish, pork, and a load of green fruit and veg: green papaya, green jack fruit, aubergine, leafy greens. A wonder to savour.

Dessert was quite simply bananas cooked in palm sugar, pineapple juice and coconut milk, with a flourish of cream. So very uncomplicated, and all the more magnificent for it. It went down barely touching the sides.

Even if you're not staying at the hotel, eat here.

dining at La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa, Phnom Penh

Service

In a word, exemplary. 

Enter the property any time of day and you'll be met with a cold towel and a softly spoken 'welcome home'. All doors are opened for you, and staff address you with closed palms and huge smiles whenever you cross their paths.

Liked lots / liked less

Liked lots - As part of your stay at LRS, guests receive a complimentary 1 hour traditional Khmer massage. It was fabulous. They also offer massage classes should you wish to learn the Khmer techniques.

As for all that fantastic food, the properties offer cooking classes and accompanying recipes so you can replicate them at home. Assuming you can find prahok..

Liked less - There isn't a huge amount of natural light reaching the public spaces, such as the lobby, restaurants or corridors. Which makes things feel a little dark. But I do wonder if that's the desired effect - again with the spa theme. Guest rooms are nice and bright though.

La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa, Phnom Penh

Price point

La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa: from around £80 a night for a deluxe double room, to £106 for a suite, including breakfast.

La Rose Suites: from around £135 for a Junior Suite to £250 for a family suite with pool view.

Contact

La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa: #164B, Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh +855 23 211 130

La Rose Suites: No.4B, St. 21, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh +855 23 211 130

@LaRoseSuites
Website

Note: This stay was kindly hosted by the hotel as part of a media package. All views remain my own.

Related links

CAMBODIA: Review of Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap
CAMBODIA: Review of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Siem Reap
Week 13: CAMBODIA - Siem Reap (and Angkor Wat) → Phnom Penh
Week 14: CAMBODIA - Sihanoukville & Koh Rong Samloem Island
Week 15: CAMBODIA - Kep

CHINA: Review of Hotel Pennington by Rhombus Hong Kong

lobby at Hotel Pennington by Rhombus, Hong Kong
l

In a nutshell 

An award-winning (and pet-friendly!) four star property managed by the hands-on Rhombus International Hotels Group, with 79 rooms, found in the heart of Causeway Bay.

Where is it?

The hotel has access to a lot of the city's transport options from its doorstep. Major business venues like the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) are minutes away, as well as the local iconic shopping centres such as Times Square, SOGO, Lee Gardens and Hysan Place.

It's just a minute walk, via either Jardine’s Bazzar or Yee Wo Street, from the MTR Causeway Bay Station, Exit F.

Style and character

The hotel has 79 rooms kitted out in five contemporary styles. They feel as though they've been designed with business travellers in mind, what with the in-room business centres with hi-tech power tracks, USB charging, sliding power sockets, etc.

Speakers are built into the ceiling and the rooms have sliding partition walls sectioning off the bathroom and the bedroom to personalise and maximise space. Also, they have very lovely posh rice grain soap bars as part of the toiletries - some of the best I've come across in a hotel.

This property also features art pieces by renowned local artists on each floor, which is a welcome individual touch. Each piece showcases one of the city’s iconic attractions, traditions and lifestyles - their intention is to introduce guests to the dynamic social and cultural aspects of the city, from within the hotel.

bedroom at Hotel Pennington by Rhombus, Hong Kong
l

What's unique?

It's pet-friendly! I don't think I've ever stayed in a pet-friendly hotel before, not that I saw any pets while I was there, which is a shame. They'll allow your furry friends in as long as they're not heavier than 25lbs (so, maybe no great danes) and they have their own fully-paid room, where they can get pampered with some exclusive pet care amenities. 

The hotel group has been recognised as Caring Company 2013/14 by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services (HKCSS). Part of the commendable things they do includes all surplus food being delivered to the needy in Hong Kong via Foodlink, and having partially-used soap collected, recycled and redistributed to disadvantaged regions in Asia-Pacific. Good work.

Who goes?

I suspect business people use this hotel a lot, but it doesn't feel like a business hotel, in that it feels quite hip and trendy. I tend to associate them with being dull and lonely places. 

But I noticed mostly leisure tourists, specifically Asian couples. There weren't that many people to see at breakfast, but then we did get there late. 

Breakfast

There are three set-menus available: a fry-up, an oriental breakfast, or a continental one. 

They're not exactly full on spreads, but they're certainly adequate. Although, all three being priced at $138 (£11) if not included in the room doesn't seem quite right. The continental is little more than a bowl of cereal, some bread, a croissant, yoghurt, a juice and a coffee (which doesn't include a cappuccino, only filter). 

To get your money's worth, I'd go for the fry-up or the oriental.

The breakfast space is a brooding room with industrial features; concrete floor, dark brown leather chairs, lots of grey and steel, with some bar seating by the kitchen - I very much liked it. There was also some filming going on of the dishes during out meal, I suspect for marketing activities or the website.

breakfast at Hotel Pennington by Rhombus, Hong Kong
l

Service

All staff members were warm and welcoming, particularly the doormen. There was also a little towel that had my name stitched on it as a gift, nice touch. 

Liked lots / liked less

Liked lots. I liked the small and personal lobby area on the 4th floor, with the great Wallpaper reading material, funky bar, floor-to-ceiling windows leading to an outside decked area, and table-top games. 

Also that you're also able to rent useful gadgets you might not have on you from the hotel, like wireless speakers or a tablet.

Liked less. Sound travels well through the walls here - I could hear quite a lot of movement from the neighbouring rooms, including running water.

Price point

Prices from around £100 for a Superior room to £240 for a King Studio, including breakfast.

Contact

13-15 Pennington Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
+852 3970 0688
www.hotelpennington.com.hk

Note: This stay was kindly hosted by the hotel.

Related posts

CHINA: Review of The Mercer, Hong Kong
CHINA: Review of Hotel Indigo Hong Kong
Week 7: CHINA & VIETNAM - Hong Kong → Hanoi

CHINA: Review of Hotel Indigo, Hong Kong

Hotel Indigo Hong Kong

In a nutshell

Filling a gap that's long existed in the city between the top dollar rooms with extortionate price tags, and the hostelries at the other end of the spectrum. 

Hotel Indigo is fast becoming the accommodation of choice for the young business people who want five-star facilities, without having to pay top whack when in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Where is it?

Wan Chai is ideal wandering territory, with old tenement blocks, fascinating back-streets, markets, temples and an abundance of restaurants and coffee shops to keep you busy for hours. 

Queen's Road East is a perfect location to combine a vibrant, authentic and fast-disappearing slice of Hong Kong with access to the city's Central business district (two stops on the MTR) or the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (about a 15 minute walk).

Each room has a handy directory listing the history of the area, plus recommended places and restaurants to visit.

Hotel Indigo Hong Kong

Style and character

Hotel Indigo is the boutique arm of the InterContinental Hotels Group, with this branch opening in April 2013. It has just 138 rooms and an undeniable look, seen in the individually styled rooms, and carried through to the public spaces. It's in fact won a major architectural award, and is a lot more individual than it's parent company might suggest.

They do a good job combining local flavour with an unpretentious slickness. There's a lot of detail in the design of each room, from the high end brands (Bang & Olufsen speakers and a Nespresso coffee machine) to the fun knick-knacks, photos and paintings, customised furniture, and themed fittings and furnishings, also seen in the corridors. Like sleeping in an Ikea showroom, most of the things that furnish it are available to buy.

Rooms have a window filling an entire wall, a colourful mosaic occupying another, and the pillow menu includes the likes of chrysanthemum, jasmine, cassia tora seed, and lavender. The room layout is quite linear, with a desk neatly fitted behind the bed headboard, and a small sofa at the foot end. 

Whilst the shower and toilet cubicles are self-contained, the rest of the bathroom (i.e. the basin) is open plan to the rest of the room - probably a less awkward set-up for those occupying a double rather than a twin.

All in, I was totally charmed by the aesthetics of the whole building. Refreshing, original, and good fun.

What's unique?

There's a stylish rooftop Sky Bar which offers some pretty cool urban views along with your cocktails or bubbles with some clever interior design holding on to the nostalgia of the surrounding neighbourhood and local culture

Also, value for money. It's not cheap, but for Hong Kong standards, it's a good deal (see Price point below). And that's with a top location and cool atmosphere.

Hotel Indigo Hong Kong

Who goes?

Spotted quite a few business folk. But it certainly does not feel like a business hotel, in that it is both homely and individual - I tend to associate them with being dull and lonely places. 

This is a property suitable for anyone who wants comfort and a great location, appreciates good design, but doesn't want to pay for it through the nose. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Breakfast

Served in their intimate restaurant Café Post on the second floor, the space makes it feel as though you've been invited for breakfast at a friend's home. There are colourful tiles, a breakfast bar, central cooking island, stylish pendant light fittings, and food served from Le Creuset-esque colourful enameled cast-iron cookware.

Expect fruits, smoked salmon, cheeses, cereals, bread and butter pudding, cakes, pastries, baguettes, a big jar of peanut butter (always good to see), jams, noodles, dim sum, bacon, an egg station, beans, fried potatoes, and some superb coffee specially sourced from a local roaster called Rabbithole.

The restaurant also has an al fresco lounge area directly opposite to the Old Wan Chai Post Office that captures the spirit of the local history.

breakfast at Hotel Indigo Hong Kong

Service

A really nice touch were the daily notes left in the room along with some kind of sweet treat - macrons, chocolate - letting us know to get in touch with the team should we need any assistance with our plans, and hoping we had a wonderful stay.

I also asked the reception if they could get a package sent back to the UK for me. A member of staff took it to the post office early in the morning, and scanned and emailed the confirmation receipt and tracking number, all at no extra charge. 

Liked lots / liked less

Liked lots. Definitely the design and the colour-pops used everywhere. The elevators have very cool colour-changing walls that I think are a mosaic of thin cross-sections of pretty stones (?), and the funky blue stairs in the lobby.

Liked less. As I mentioned, the unusual half-open plan layout of the bathroom doesn't provide masses of privacy, if you wanted to get dressed in there after a shower, for example. It didn't bother me personally, but I imagine might for others.

Hotel Indigo Hong Kong

Price point

Prices from around £250 for a Superior King room to £435 for a Premier King Suite, including breakfast.

Contact

246 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
0871 942 9242
Website
@hotelindigo

Note: This stay was kindly hosted by the hotel. All views remain my own. 

Related posts

Week 7: CHINA & VIETNAM - Hong Kong → Hanoi
CHINA: Review of The Mercer, Hong Kong
CHINA: Review of Hotel Pennington by Rhombus Hong Kong

CHINA: Review of The Mercer Hong Kong

In a nutshell 

A building of 55 serviced apartments ranging from studios to one-bedrooms, with a fully-equipped gym, outdoor swimming pool and some of my favourite views from a hotel room yet.

Where is it?

You'll find it within a transport hub connecting the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, Airport Express HK Station and Sheung Wan MTR. It's in an ideal location next to Central and near the CBD’s prime offices including IFC and Exchange Square.

The entertainment scene at Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo are just an eight minute walk away.

Style and character

Whilst the colour scheme wasn't quite to my taste (a bit too DFS for me), there was a fantastic use of space making the most of every nook and cranny, something the city in general must be quite skilled at. 

Whilst it was only a studio, the high ceilings and large windows made it feel spacious. The partition wall separating the bedroom and living space was glass, there was a good desk area nestled into one of the windows and looking out into the city, a wardrobe big enough to walk into, and the heavily mirrored bathroom meant you got all angles, including the back of your head, should you wish to check your hair do before heading out. The room also had a Nespresso machine, and they never go amiss.

I have to say, I really liked our cute little apartment.


What's unique?

If you're hungry and feeling particularly lazy, next to the reception on the ground floor you'll find 3 Michelin-star Japanese restaurant Sushi Shikon. As is typical to sushi bars, it's a small room with just 8 seats but is reputed to serve some of the best sushi in the city. It's overseen by executive chef Yoshiharu Kakinuma, the city's first Japanese chef to receive the three star accolade.

The mini bar in the room was free, which is a first for me. It had soft drinks, crisps and even beer!

Who goes?

The largest apartment still only has one bedroom, so you're unlikely to find groups or families staying together as is often the case in serviced apartments. Instead, expect solo travellers, business people, and couples that might be spending some time in the city, and want a home away from home.

Breakfast

This was modest but adequate. There were a few dim sum, buns, smoked salmon, edam cheese, smoked meats, a couple of choices of cereals, salad, some dried fruit, scrambled eggs, beans, bacon, yoghurt, fruit, and burgers! 

There are only about 8 - 10 tables in the restaurant and there weren't many people when we visited - perhaps some guests rustle up something in their apartment kitchens, or head out for breakfast.

There are a good range of high-end magazines just outside the restaurant to take in with you, for your morning reading material.

Service

There are some really nice touches in this place. Firstly, a generous fruit bowl that's replenished every day, and included cherries (my favourite)!

Each apartment also comes with an smartphone that you can carry with you around the city, providing free internet access and local and international calls. Very handy to help first-time visitors get their bearings as they explore Hong Kong, and you can also get 3G on the subway.

The staff I encountered were very courteous, patient and accessible, and I found a nice little welcome note in the room on arrival.

Liked lots / liked less

Liked lots. It has to be the view of the high rises from the comfort of the bed. Whilst some may not like the idea of an overcrowded panorama - you can quite literally see into the rooms of other buildings - I found it really very cool. 

And at night the skyline lights up like a Christmas tree - very pretty to look at. Ask for a room on one of the higher-up floors if you'd like to experience similar.

Liked less. Whilst there was a kitchen area, there was no hob, microwave, bowls or a cutting knife. It felt a little under-stocked.

Price point

Prices from around £200 a Studio Executive King room to £230 for a One-Bedroom Executive, including breakfast and free minibar.

Contact

29 Jervois Street, Central District, Hong Kong
+852 2922 9988
Website
@Ascott_Ltd

Note: I stayed as a guest of this hotel.

Related posts

Week 7: CHINA & VIETNAM - Hong Kong → Hanoi
CHINA: The Mercer, Hong Kong