The Bale Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Swim in the cool riverside pool, relax with a sublime treatment at the spa, and dine by candlelight under the tropical stars. The Bale Phnom Penh sets a new benchmark for luxury in South East Asia.

The latest addition to Lifestyle Retreats, The Bale Phnom Penh is a unique, elegant and very high-end collection of 18 sumptuous suites, showcasing the best of modern Asian architecture and design.

Lifestyle Retreats is a dynamic hotel management company that offers a holistic hospitality concept with a range of luxurious privately owned boutique hotels in Indonesia (pg 18) and Cambodia.

A haven of serenity on the banks of the majestic Mekong River awaits. Here guests are treated to breathtaking views and welcomed in great style, down a dramatic corridor, past a serene Buddha and along a pink palimanan sandstone walkway across a black-bottomed infinity pond surrounded by lush manicured gardens.

The one-bedroom Courtyard Suites offer 100 square metres comprised of a large living and sleeping area with a generous sofa, daybed and coffee table, plus a king-size bed ‘floating’ on a wooden plinth. The four stunning one-bedroom Riverfront Suites are sumptuous residences overlooking the blue-tiled swimming pool and the glistening waters of the Mekong. Its outdoor area includes a wooden-decked balcony with a welcoming refreshment pool.

All accommodation features minimalist dark-wood furnishings complemented with local Cambodian artefacts and fabrics to give a sense of elegance and place, while poetic photographs by renowned photographer Minoru Masuyima adorn the walls, reflecting eloquent Cambodian scenes. The spacious bathrooms have dual sinks, walk-in rainforest shower and a bathtub, while the private outside courtyard with a daybed is an ideal spot for al fresco dining or quiet meditation.

The intimate spa offers a wide range of treatments with an emphasis on Cambodian massage and aromatherapy and traditional Balinese techniques. There is a fully-equipped gym for those keen to keep in shape, a personal trainer is on hand, and regular complimentary activities such as stretch sessions and aerobics.

Central to guests’ happiness and satisfaction is the professionalism and dedication of The Bale Phnom Penh’s staff ‘Family’. Almost all ‘Family’ members are Cambodian and graduates of a rigorous training program recruited from the local neighbourhood. Offering a unique local resource, as they have expert local knowledge about the local environment and culture.

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