The resort's 60,000 square metres of gardens, comprising the Formal, Lotus, Temple and River Gardens, provide a spectacular frontage to the hotel.
Angkor Wat
Between the 9th and the 13th centuries, a succession of Khmer kings who ruled from Angkor utilised the vast wealth and huge labour force of their empire to carry out a series of monumental construction projects intended to glorify both themselves and their capital, all within the vicinity of Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat, with its soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, is considered by many to be one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. It was built by Suryavarman II (who reigned from 1113 to 1150) to honour Vishnu, identified as a god-king.
Angkor Thom
The fortified city of Angkor Thom, extending some nine square kilometres, was built in its present form by Angkor's greatest builder, Jayavarman VII (reigning from 1181 to 1201), on the ruins of an ancient city. Angkor Thom, which may have had a million inhabitants at one time, is enclosed by a square wall eight metres high and 12 kilometres in length.
The complex comprises a variety of important temples, with the prominent Bayon temple at the centre. The city is notable for its five monumental gates. The gates, which are 20 metres in height, are decorated on either side of the passageway with stone elephant heads and crowned by four gargantuan faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokitessvara facing the cardinal directions. In front of each gate stand 54 gods (to the left of the causeway) and 54 demons (to the right of the causeway).
Floating Village - Tonle Sap Lake
Siem Reap is situated not far from the northern edge of the large Tonle Sap Lake. Many villages abound along its shores, but because of the lake's seasonal size variations and regular flooding, the most interesting villages are those that float.
Here houseboats dot the canal banks leading from the lake to permanent solid ground. Watch small boats deliver supplies to the floating community and see children paddling their canoes to and from school.
Compagnie des Eléphants d'Angkor
With Compagnie des Eléphants d'Angkor, ride the last elephants of Angkor, guardians of a 1000-year-old tradition. Follow in the footsteps of the early explorers and discover temples in perfect harmony with nature. Like the kings before you, start a new day riding around the Bayon temple or climb Bakeng Hill in the evening to watch the sunset over Angkor Wat.
Experience an unforgettable journey through the mysterious ruins of Angkor and the surrounding jungle. Comfortably seated in a traditional howdah and led by the expert hands of a mahout, the gentle rocking of these royal mounts will take you back in time to a past glory and to the magnificence that is the heritage of Angkor.
Helicopter Tours
Take a scenic helicopter ride over the World Heritage site of the Angkor temples in Siem Reap. View the magnificent Angkor temple complex from the air to truly appreciate the scale of these enormous architectural wonders of the world, and swing out over the northern edge of Tonle Sap Lake to see the floating villages and local fishing boats from a different perspective.
Temple Tours
Transportation
Air-conditioned cars and minivans are readily available for touring the temples. A rental car with a driver will cost US$25 per day and a rental van with a driver will cost approximately US$50 to US$70 per day. There is usually a surcharge of US$10 to visit distant temples such as Banteay Srey, which is more than 35 kilometres away from the town.
Guides
Tour guides are available for a variety of different languages: English-speaking guides cost US$25 per day, French-speaking guides cost US$30 per day, Japanese-speaking guides cost US$30 per day and German-speaking guides cost US$40 per day.
Entrance Fee
Everyone must have an admission ticket to visit the temples. These can be bought at the main checkpoint between Siem Reap and the temple area. The cost is:
US$20 for a one-day pass
US$40 for a three-day pass
US$60 for a seven-day pass
One passport-sized photograph is required for the three- and seven-day passes. The passes give you access to all the temples with the exception of Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen. These two are 50 kilometres from Siem Reap and have their own entrance fees. The fee for Phnom Kulen is US$20 and Kbal Spean is US$3. Visiting these two attractions does not require the regular admission ticket.
Booking a Tour
The hotel does not conduct temple tours; however, our Concierge service gladly assists you to arrange tour cars, guides and admission tickets.
Please send us an e-mail: emailus.grandhotel@raffles.com for more information.
Please note:
All prices associated with temple tours and admission tickets quoted above are subject to change without notice.
