PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 23, 2023) — Two of Cambodia’s most iconic luxury hotels — Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap — are set to celebrate the festive season with exclusive fine dining and other memorable events.
Both historic hotels will hold their popular annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies on Nov. 30 where Nordmann fir trees imported from Norway will glow for the first time. The hotels are being strewn with glittering lights, wreaths and other festive décor ahead of the holiday season.
Highlights from this year’s Christmas and New Year programs at the hotels include the following:
CHRISTMAS
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Raffles Hotel Le Royal will serve an exclusive 5-course “Wagyu and Bordeaux Grand Crus” set dinner at Restaurant Le Royal on Dec. 24, with an optional wine pairing. A stylish “Christmas Eve in Paris” buffet dinner will be served at Le Phnom 1929 featuring a grand Parisian Brasserie-style buffet, with free-flow French wines and festive cocktails.
The special “Le Royal Christmas Day Brunch” at Restaurant Le Royal on Dec. 25 will feature a lavish spread of premium seafood, artisan cheese and charcuteries, terrines and live carvery stations, with Wagyu beef, oven-roasted turkey and lamb. Signature wines and festive cocktails are unlimited, and there is also an unlimited Champagne option. The delectable “Christmas Day Set Dinner” at Le Phnom 1929 will include perennial favorites such as turkey and scallops.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
At Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, an extraordinary 7-course “Epicurean Journey” menu curated by Executive Sous Chef Dorn Doeurt will be served on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 at the upscale 1932 restaurant. The hotel’s resident sommelier will guide guests through the most favorable wine pairings for each course. Diners are also invited to enjoy a special 4-course “Epicurean Journey” menu on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, with Tournedos Rossini taking center stage, at Café d’Angkor.
“A Magical Christmas Day Brunch” will be served on Dec. 25 from 12pm in the hotel lobby or poolside accompanied by live holiday tunes, in a celebration befitting jolly old Saint Nicholas himself. The brunch also includes optional free-flow Champagne.
NEW YEAR’S
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Ring in 2024 at one of three exclusive countdown events at Raffles Hotel Le Royal. The gala “New Year’s Eve in the Tropics” evening includes dinner, dancing and a party at Le Phnom 1929 and outside on the terrace. The festivities kick off with a grand buffet featuring BBQ stations and Cuban culinary classics, before a live Cuban band ushers in the New Year. Restaurant Le Royal will serve a sumptuous 4-course dinner, with each table receiving a bottle of Henriot Brut Champagne – to be opened using the noble art of sabrage! Finally, the “New Year’s Eve Premium Oyster Night” at Elephant Bar will feature signature oysters and exclusive, handcrafted cocktails in an elegant and sophisticated setting.
The “New Year’s Day French Riviera Brunch” on Jan. 1 will spotlight traditional Mediterranean favorites along with a free-flow mimosa and spritz bar, served at Le Phnom 1929. The exclusive “New Year Day Set Dinner,” also at Le Phnom 1929, will include a mouthwatering 4-course set menu featuring premium seafood and meats, along with an optional wine pairing.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
Step into a world of magic and grandeur at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s Poolside Terrace as the iconic Grand Dame sets the stage for the most anticipated event on the holiday calendar. “The Grand Circus New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner” will usher in the New Year on Dec. 31 in true style, starting from 7pm. The evening will include a lavish dinner buffet with live stations, music performances and mesmerizing circus acts from Phare Circus, which has been thrilling Siem Reap for over 10 years. At the stroke of midnight, the scene will come alive with a New Year countdown and fireworks, welcoming the arrival of 2024.
More Festive Events at Raffles Hotel Le Royal
“Festive High Tea & Carols” will be hosted in the Raffles Hotel Le Royal lobby, with special Christmas-themed pastries and songs from a live choir. Presented on Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Young gourmands are invited to join a fun-filled gingerbread-making class at Le Phnom 1929 on Dec. 9, 16 and 23.
The “Gingerbread Pop-Up Christmas Boutique” at the Raffles Boutique will offer a selection of festive treats throughout December including premium chocolate, Stolen, Panettone, special-edition Negroni, take-away foods like oven-roasted turkey and much more.
Throughout December, Raffles Hotel Le Royal will also offer an exciting Henriot Brut Champagne promotion, providing coupons with each purchase of a glass or bottle of Champagne that can be used toward exclusive benefits such as Christmas Day Brunch, a stay in a Henriot Suite or New Year’s Day Dinner.
The hotel’s “Festive Indulgence in the Kingdom” stay package features rates starting from $475 net per room, with an extra night from $225 net. The “Raffles Christmas Staycation” includes room, festive cocktails, Champagne breakfast and Christmas dinner for two persons, along with complimentary entrance to the “Chopin at Christmas” piano concert on Dec. 24. The “Raffles New Year’s Staycation” includes room, Champagne breakfast, complimentary entry to the Tropicana New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance countdown, a complimentary spa experience and a complimentary babysitter (upon request).
More Festive Events at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
The lively “Champagne Afternoon Tea,” held in the Conservatory at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, will include delicate finger sandwiches, perfectly baked macarons and handcrafted pastries, along with a selection of warming teas and Champagne throughout December.
“Mulled Wine & Cookies” will also be served in the Conservatory from Dec. 1-30.
The hotel’s iconic Elephant Bar will feature a special menu of distinctive holiday cocktails throughout the month of December.
To celebrate the annual Angkor Wat International Marathon on Dec. 3, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will host an exclusive Champagne Brunch with premium grilled meats, fresh seafood, international breakfast classics and more, along with delicious vegan and vegetarian options.
Cafe d’Angkor will host an exciting “Gingerbread-Making Class” for youngsters on Dec. 9 from 3pm.
Guests are invited to dress up as their favorite circus characters for a thrilling “Circus Fancy Dress Party” at Elephant Bar on Dec. 16.: Dress up as a clown, trapeze artist, master of ceremony or ringmaster, keeping it stylish and playful. The party starts at 6:30pm.
The festive classic movie “Home Alone” will be screened at 6:30pm on Dec. 16 at the Poolside Garden under the stars, with wine and delicious canapés.
Throughout December, spa-goers at Raffles Spa can relax with a combined session of exfoliation and massage for a top-to-toe experience. This all-natural treatment begins with a 30-minute Honey Tamarind Scrub that buffs away dull skin followed by a 60-minute Massage to ease stress and aches.
An exclusive holiday “Luxury Escape Package” at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor starts at $480++ per night.