In 1979, Caroline Rose Hunt opened Mansion on Turtle Creek, the first Rosewood hotel, presenting guests with impeccable service and utmost luxury—something she probably knew best as the daughter of H.L. Hunt, one of the richest oil tycoons in America’s history (think Fallon Carrington IRL). Today, her legacy lives on at Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, which, as of late, has been opening properties around the world faster than the inflation rate. One of them is Rosewood Phnom Penh, a relatively new hotel that’s celebrating its first year anniversary in February of 2019.
Rosewood Phnom Penh has a remarkable address, nestled on the top 14 floors of the 188-meter-tall Vattanac Capital Tower, currently Phnom Penh’s tallest, most luxurious and most avant-garde building. At this cantilevered position, and with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, Rosewood Phnom Penh is blessed with unbeatable views of the Mekong river on one side and the fast-growing city on another. Seriously, you can sit and enjoy the view the entire day—and the interiors by Melbourne-based design firm BAR Studio encourages you to do so, especially at the spacious sky lobby where loungers are positioned facing the gigantic windows.
Subtle luxury is provided by the signature use of limestone and wood furnishings, while local touches are reflected through art pieces that appear throughout the hotel tower, from gigantic Hanuman monkey king sculptures in the arrival lobby to Orient-inspired decorative items placed in all 175 rooms and suites. You can’t leave Rosewood Phnom Penh without being captivated by at least one art piece.
A stay at Rosewood Phnom Penh wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of its already-buzzing restaurants. Brasserie Louis serves up all-day meals while Living Room is perfect for light afternoon bites. Iza and Sora, however, are the jewels of the structure. Iza, an izakaya-style Japanese eatery that’s popular among well-to-do locals, and Sora, the hotel’s and Phnom Penh’s highest bar, provide dishes and drinks bearing exotic native flavors alongside mesmerizing décor—courtesy of Tokyo-based Bond Design Studio—that you can’t take your eyes (and your camera) off.
Rosewood Phnom Penh
Equally impressive and certainly to be commended was the service from the staff that guests see on a daily basis—like waiters and front office members—as well as the staff that guests don’t really encounter—like housekeepers that worked flawlessly on flash speed. The latter is reflective of the kind of service that’s worth calling luxurious and is indeed something Mrs. Hunt would have been proud of.
Rosewood Phnom Penh
Visit the hotel's website for more details.
