I’d been to Cambodia a couple of times before, challenging myself with new experiences each time: running a marathon; absorbing sombre stories at the Killing Fields; volunteering at a hospital.
This would be a different challenge: I’d have my family in tow. I was confident my wife Gill would love her first trip to Cambodia, but would our 12- and 10-year-old girls enjoy it too? (It’s not Bali, after all.)
Thanks mostly to Raffles, I needn’t have worried!
# PHNOM PENH
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
We didn’t score the Jacqueline Kennedy Suite at Hotel Le Royal (she stayed here in 1967), but I reckon the former First Lady would have been impressed with our room in any case.
Or should I say rooms: three of them in a huge colonial-style suite, with one wing for adults, one for children and a central living room – plus three big bathrooms, each with an original claw-foot bath. The view was down to the hotel’s two big pools, flanked by giant century-old trees glinting with fairy lights on our evening arrival.
By the way, there’s also a Charles de Gaulle Suite, and another named for Somerset Maugham. My girls didn’t know these famous former guests of Raffles, but as they strolled the black-and-white tiled corridors and climbed the grand wooden staircase, I could tell they sensed the hotel’s illustrious old-world vibe.
Old & New
This story is from the April 2020 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Creating A Cave!
AEN is a designer and engineer who contacted us a while back about the renovation he was doing on his new HDB. From the photos, you'll see it’s more of a redesign than a renovation and nothing like we've ever featured before. We were pretty wowed, and are happy It’s completed so we can show you!
40 Years as a Dentist - and Still Loving It!
After four decades, DR ASHA K KARAN of Dental Essence is as passionate about practising dentistry as she was on day one. She tells us about her career and what keeps her going.
Exploring Malé
There’s a high chance you've heard of Malé, but, like most travellers, only been to the airport while transiting to a resort on an atoll. Singapore-based photographer REBECCA BERGER took a wander through its streets recently, capturing scenes of daily life on her camera. Here are her impressions.
The Venice of the East Where to stay and play in Suzhou
The Great Wall, Beijing's Forbidden City, the city lights of Shanghai and the Terracotta Warriors are frequently on travellers’ must-sees when it comes to China itineraries.
Brunch Favourites
Looking for a fabulous spot for your next brunch fix? We've got something for everyone in this roundup-from coffees to Bellinis, and organically-sourced dishes to seafood on ice. Some are weekend bottomless brunches, others an à la carte daily affair. Either way, just be sure to go hungry!
From Grape to Glass
Whether you like a fruity sauvignon blanc or a zippy pinot noir, you can have your favourite wines delivered straight to your door in Singapore. Here are our picks of the best wine delivery websites on the island - from high-end wines to affordable blends! (Many offer free delivery with a minimum spend, too!)
Making Waves
Head coach of swimming at the Canadian International School HELEN SWEENEY tells us why the CIS swim team is a force to be reckoned with.
A Time to Thrive!
The theme of 2024 is Thrive”, as Dulwich College Singapore) marks its 1Oth anniversary. As the College celebrates with a host of activities, Founding Head of College NICK MAGNUS shares how they will continue to grow.
HAVE THEY GOT WHAT IT TAKES?
Singapore attracts some very interesting expats, and we love hearing their stories. Here we chat to two such people, GONZALO GASTON SANCHEZ and MANUELA LOEBLEIN, who are contestants In The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition. We cover what brought them here, what makes them tick, and their tips for achieving success.
Little Dockers
Does your child dream of being in a band?