"An historic villa transformed into a charming boutique hotel."
REVIEW
From the minds behind the über-cool Elsewhere bar, this brand new boutique
hotel combines a garden setting with an historic building that was only barely
saved from the wrecking ball. The result: a very comfortable and laid-back
little hotel.
The villa is believed to date from the 1930s when it was built for an aging
Queen Kossamak, mother of Retired King Sihanouk, who wanted to be nearer to
Wat Botum (just across the road). It's been added to over time - look for the
nagas (seven-headed snakes) above the entrance (probably dating from
the '60s), the '30s-era tiles in the lobby, and the two mysterious tiles
beside the check-in desk dating from the 1880s?!? A recent renovation has
added a pleasant pool surrounded by more than 700 plants, among which are
several day-beds perfect for lazing about on. Some of the 10 rooms are also
new. Of these, some are a bit small but Nos 6, 7 and 8 are great, each opening
onto a balcony overlooking the pool and garden. All rooms are decorated in an
attractive but minimalist Asian style, so you'll find bakelite fan switches
and four-post beds with mosquito nets, but no bathtubs or minibars.
AUTHOR EXPERIENCE Lazing by the pool, sipping coffee or cocktails is a perfectly respectable way to spend time at the Pavilion. However, it's also close to two of the city's main sights - the Royal Palace complex and the National Museum. For food and drink Ph 240 is within crawling distance; for something more Khmer head through Wat Botum to the park where, most evenings, Khmer singers and performers attract a crowd.
CURIOUS FACT With so many of Phnom Penh's historic buildings being pulled down to make way for ugly apartment blocks, the owners of the Pavilion deserve credit for preserving this old classic. The Khmer landowner had actually ordered it to be demolished when, one day in early 2006, he awoke to decide it should be saved. Soon after he met Alexis, now the manager, and they began restoration - a process that was no doubt more expensive and less profitable than building apartments. The result, however, is a delight.
TRANSPORT DETAILS From cnr of Ph 19 (directly behind palace) and St 240, walk S for 3min. It's opposite Wat Botum.