Cambodia's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury Awaits at The Grand Cyclo Boutique Suite & Spa!
Cambodia's BEST Kept Secret: The Grand Cyclo Boutique Suite & Spa - My Unfiltered (and Sometimes Rambling) Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (complimentary) tea on The Grand Cyclo Boutique Suite & Spa in Cambodia. Forget those pristine, perfectly-edited travel blogs. I'm here to give you the REAL DEAL – the good, the maybe-not-so-good-but-still-charming, and everything in between. This place? It's more than just a hotel; it's an experience. And yes, it lives up to the "best kept secret" hype… mostly.
(First, the obligatory SEO stuff, because, you know, gotta pay the bills… I mean, get the word out!)
Keywords, baby, keywords! This review is for those searching for luxury hotels in Siem Reap, boutique hotels Cambodia, best spas in Siem Reap, wheelchair accessible hotels Siem Reap, romantic getaways Cambodia, family-friendly hotels Siem Reap, and anything involving Angkor Wat (because, duh, that's why you're there!). We're talking about internet access, free wifi, accessible amenities, delicious food, and a whole lotta pampering.
(Now, the juicy stuff!)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag with a Promising Twist!
Let's be honest, Southeast Asia isn’t always the most accessible region. But The Grand Cyclo? They're trying. They have facilities for disabled guests, an elevator, and I spotted some ramps. I didn’t personally need those features, but I appreciate the effort! It shows they're thinking about inclusivity, which scores major points in my book. However, accessibility is definitely a factor to double-check prior to your stay, reach out to the hotel directly, for confirmation.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: This is where it gets a bit hazy. While I saw restaurants, it wasn't 100% clear how accessible every single area was. Again, a question for the hotel directly. Overall, the staff seems genuinely helpful, so I'm betting they'd go the extra mile.
Internet - The Lifeline (and a Minor Grumble):
Okay, the free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a godsend. Seriously. I needed to stay connected for work, family, and, let's be real, endless Instagram scrolling. The internet access – LAN was there as an extra, but I barely touched it. The Wi-Fi in public areas was also reliable. My minor grumble? Sometimes the connection felt a teensy bit sluggish. But hey, I’m in Cambodia, not Silicon Valley. Get over it, self.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Oh, the Sweet, Sweet Pampering!
Here's where The Grand Cyclo really shines. This place is built for relaxation. Let's break it down:
- The Spa: I, as a self-proclaimed spa aficionado, spent hours in there. The spa is an absolute haven. I had a massage, a body scrub, and almost died from pure bliss during the body wrap. It was transcendent. The sauna, steamroom, foot bath, and pool with a view? All top-notch. I went for a dip in the swimming pool and took a break on the outdoor sunbeds as well. Pure magic, that spa is.
- Fitness Center: (a.k.a. the place I didn't go.) It's there. It exists. I'm sure it's lovely. I was too busy being horizontal.
- Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Gorgeous! The pool is a shimmering invitation to escape the heat. Lounging by the pool became part of my routine -- a cocktail in hand, a book in the other, and the Cambodian sun warming my skin.
Cleanliness and Safety - Peace of Mind, Post-Pandemic:
This is crucial, especially now. The Grand Cyclo does a stellar job. I saw anti-viral cleaning products being used everywhere. There was daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization between stays, and the staff were all masked -- a really good sign that they're taking everything seriously. Hand sanitizers and a doctor on call are also offered.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food Paradise (Mostly):
- Restaurants: There are several! We're talking Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and a vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant also had a bar so I could sip on cocktails.
- Breakfast: The Asian breakfast and Western breakfast were both delicious, and you could choose from a breakfast buffet or breakfast service. I loved the coffee/tea in restaurant options (I'm a caffeine fiend), and the fresh fruit juice!
- Room Service: Available 24-hour! I ordered way too many snacks. No regrets.
- Poolside Bar: Perfect for those pre-dinner drinks.
- Snack Bar: Ideal for quick bites. I'm talking fries, little sandwiches, so good after spending the entire morning at the temples.
Additional notes:
- Happy Hour -- yes!
- A la carte for restaurant? Absolutely.
- Salad in restaurant? Check.
- Desserts in restaurant? Oh. YES.
Services and Conveniences - They Thought of Everything!
This place is loaded with services. I’m talking:
- Concierge: Super helpful and knowledgeable. They helped me navigate the bustling streets of Siem Reap.
- Currency Exchange: Convenient, and honestly, a lifesaver for me.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Laundry service: Because, let's be real, nobody wants to do laundry on vacation.
- Luggage storage: Perfect for those early check-ins or late check-outs.
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank god!
- Car park [free of charge]/ Car park [on-site]/ Valet parking: No need to worry about parking.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind for valuable items.
For the Kids (or the Young at Heart):
- Babysitting service: If you need it.
- Family/child friendly: Yup! I saw plenty of families there.
Rooms: My Sanctuary (and a Few Small Gripes):
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: A must-have.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Cozy!
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Morning ritual.
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Mini bar: Convenient for a late-night drink or snack.
- Non-smoking rooms: Hooray!
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Satellite/cable channels: For those lazy evenings.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Another win.
- Additional toilet: (In some suites.)
- Bathtub and separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Blackout curtains: Sleep is precious.
- Closet: Got to store the clothes somehow.
- Complimentary tea: A nice added touch.
- Desk: Work area.
- Extra long bed: Extra comfortable.
- Hair dryer: A must.
- High floor / Wake-up service: Everything you expect.
- Ironing facilities: Very important to look fancy at the temples.
- Laptop workspace: Nice to have.
- Linens: Soft and clean.
- Mirror: Check yourself out.
- On-demand movies: Boredom buster.
- Reading light: For those late-night reads.
- Refrigerator: Keep those beers cold.
- Scale: (Okay, maybe not always a good thing…)
- Seating area: Relaxing space.
- Shower: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
- Sofa: Perfect for lounging.
- Soundproofing: Quiet!
- Telephone: For room service!
- Toiletries: Lovely.
- Towels: Soft and fluffy.
- Umbrella: Just in case.
- Window that opens: Fresh air.
Room Decorations:
- The rooms had a beautiful design, and felt very relaxed.
Negatives:
- Minor imperfections: There were a few very minor maintenance things, but nothing earth-shattering. Let's be honest, it's a boutique hotel, not a corporate behemoth, so it felt like part of its charm.
- Outside Noise: Some rooms face the street, and sometimes the tuk-tuks can be heard -- bring some earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
**
**The Guards Hotel: London's Best-Kept Secret (You NEED to See This!)**
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your perfectly curated travel brochure. This is my trip to The Grand Cyclo Boutique Suite & Spa Cambodia, and lemme tell you, it's been a ride. Prepare for the glorious mess that is… me.
The Grand Cyclo Grandiose Rambling Itinerary (Because Let's Be Honest, "Itinerary" Feels Too Organized)
Day 1: Arrival & Angkor-Induced Drool
- Morning (aka, the "Dear God, Did I Pack Enough Underwear?" Phase): Flight from… well, let's just say "far, far away." Landing in Siem Reap. The airport? Actually, quite lovely! Airport transfers? Smooth like butter, a stark contrast to my internal state. I was a rumpled mess, fueled by stale airplane coffee and the vague fear of accidentally offending a monk.
- Afternoon (aka, the "I Am Officially Rich and Fabulous" Phase): Arrived at The Grand Cyclo. And… whoa. The photos didn't lie. It's stunning. The courtyard? Lush and fragrant. My suite? Oh, the suite. I swear, I half-expected a butler to pop out with a tray of Champagne. (He didn't, but a girl can dream, right?) First order of business: collapsing on that giant bed and letting out a sigh of pure, unadulterated bliss. Then, a frantic unpack - where did I leave my toothbrush??!!
- Late Afternoon/Evening (aka, the "Angkor Wat, I'm coming for you!" Phase): Quick shower, slapped on some sunscreen (important! Don't be a lobster!), and off to Angkor Wat. Okay, let's be real, the sheer scale of the temple took my breath away. I'm not even going to pretend to be an art historian. But seeing that sunrise? Honestly, I almost wept. It was… majestic. And crowded, let's be honest. But majestic. The sheer weight of history… you feel it.
- Anecdote: I tripped over a rogue root while taking a picture. Graciously saved by a local woman, I'm pretty sure this woman might be my guardian angel. After getting up, I realized I'd accidentally taken a picture of her foot! Mortifying but funny - I think.
- Dinner (aka, the "Amok is a Gift from the Gods" Phase): Back to Grand Cyclo for dinner at the restaurant. Amok. Order the Amok. Seriously. It's a fragrant, creamy curry, and I'm already planning my life around it. Ate way too much, felt a happy fullness, planned the next day's adventures (and maybe a nap). I could live here!
Day 2: Exploring the Temples (and My Inner Tourist)
- Morning (aka, the "Temple Fatigue is Real" Phase): Up early for more temple exploring. Bayon Temple, with its giant smiling faces. Banteay Srei, delicate pink sandstone perfection. I mean, it's all amazing, but honestly, after a while, you start feeling like a zombie. All temples start looking the same, and I'm pretty sure I saw a ghost.
- Quirky Observation: The monkeys! Everywhere! They're adorable and also total kleptomaniacs. Saw one try to steal a water bottle out of a little kid's hand. Nature, people. Nature.
- Afternoon (aka, the "Spa Day, Oh God, Yes" Phase): Back to The Grand Cyclo for a massage. This is the point where the entire trip took a sharp turn into pure, unadulterated bliss. The spa? It's a sanctuary. The massage? Divine. I emerged feeling like a limp noodle in the best possible way. I could have stayed there forever if I didn't have another massage lined up tomorrow!
- Evening (aka, the "Sunset Beer and Street Food" Phase): Back to the town center and embraced the chaos of Pub Street. I'm not usually one for crowded touristy things, but the atmosphere was electric. Had a sunset beer, watched the people go by, and inhaled some delicious (and probably slightly questionable) street food. My stomach held up! Which is a miracle. Celebrated with an ice cream cone bigger than my head.
- Late Night (aka, the "I'm Going to be a Badass" Phase): Came back to the suite and just sat on the balcony until 2 AM. Had too much wine. Felt like a goddess.
Day 3: A Deeper Dive & Water-Induced Panic
- Morning (aka, the "Lost in Translation, Lost in Life" Phase): Today was supposed to be all about the floating village of Kampong Phluk. We hired a tuk-tuk, which I nearly fell off of because I wasn't paying attention!
- Mid-morning (aka, the "Floating on the water with a very scary smile" Phase): We reached the lake, and I felt a bit wobbly. I am not great around water, and as soon as I saw the size of the lake, I wanted to be back on land. I was so scared, but since I was there, I felt I needed to get in the boat. I held on to my life and smiled.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: I was scared and the boat I was in, had a lot of passengers. I started shaking with panic. I wanted to get off. I wanted to go back to my beautiful room! But I saw beautiful things. What a view.
- Afternoon (aka, the "I Survived!" Phase): I went back to the hotel. The beauty of the spa kept calling, and I couldn't stop going. This time was different. The masseuse really knew her stuff. I went to the sauna, and felt like a queen.
- Anecdote: I fell asleep during my massage and started snoring. Seriously embarrassing. The masseuse was very gracious.
- Evening (aka, the "Amok, Again!" Phase): Dinner at the Grand Cyclo again. Amok, again. This time, I'm ordering two bowls. I will live here!
Day 4: Farewell & Departure (with a Heavy Heart)
- Morning (aka, the "I'm Leaving?!" Phase): Last breakfast at The Grand Cyclo. Tears (okay, maybe just a slightly misty eye) at the thought of leaving. I seriously considered staying here. The staff, the place, the food… everything was just perfect.
- Mid-morning (aka, the "Last-Minute Souvenir Panic" Phase): Last minute souvenir shopping, because I am a woman of impulse and that can mean a lot of things. Bargained aggressively for a silk scarf that I probably didn't need. Worth it.
- Afternoon (aka, the "Plane, Trains and Automobiles" Phase): Airport transfer. Flight home. Cue massive post-vacation blues.
- Emotional Reaction: I left a little piece of my soul in Cambodia. It's a magical, crazy, beautiful place, and I can't wait to go back.
- Quirky Observation: I will miss the tuk-tuk's. I'm going to miss everything.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, I ate questionable food, I almost got eaten by mosquitoes. But it was real. It was messy. It was mine. And The Grand Cyclo? It was a haven. A sanctuary of beauty and comfort in the midst of the Cambodian chaos. Go. Just go. And order the Amok. You'll thank me later. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go plan my return… and maybe learn how to be less of a klutz.
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The Grand Cyclo Boutique Suite & Spa: Seriously, Is This Place Real?! (And Other Burning Questions)
Alright, spill the beans! What makes the Grand Cyclo so "secret" and luxurious? Is it just marketing hype?
Okay, okay, listen up! "Secret" might be a *tiny* bit dramatic, but finding this place felt like stumbling upon a hidden Cambodian gem. Luxury? Absolutely. You know how sometimes hotels claim luxury and then the "luxury" is a slightly nicer towel? This… this is different. Think: actual, proper, "I could get used to this" luxury. It's not about flashing gold faucets (though, there might be some of that too!), it's about the *feeling*. The staff? Unbelievably attentive. The suites? Spacious, beautifully designed (the decor is just *chefs kiss*), and somehow, ridiculously comfortable. And the spa… oh, the spa… we'll get to that. The location, too, is discreet, tucked away from the main tourist throngs, but still close enough to explore the sights. Honestly, it's a haven after a long day of temple hopping. I swear, I barely wanted to leave my room! I could hear myself saying "Oh my god, I'm so lucky to be here!"
The Suites: Are they truly as amazing as the pictures? Because, come on… Photoshop is a thing.
Okay, here's the truth bomb: yes. I’m usually cynical when it comes to travel photos. I arrive and think, "oh. that's not quite what I expected." But the actual suite? More amazing. I booked a (cough) "deluxe suite" (because I'm fancy like that) and, oh boy, it was huge! Think giant king-sized bed, separate living area, a balcony overlooking the courtyard (which was lush and green… the perfect backdrop for my Insta stories, obviously). The bathroom? A spa-like oasis with a rain shower and a bathtub big enough to swim in. No tiny, cramped spaces here. And the details… fresh flowers, beautifully carved furniture, and a total sense of calm. I even took a nap on the balcony. My first thought was, "I never want to leave." And I almost didn't! I had to be dragged out. Seriously, they could probably charge double and I still wouldn't complain.
Let's talk Spa. Is the Grand Cyclo Spa worthy of the hype (and your precious vacation time)?
Worthy? Honey, it’s not just worthy, it’s *essential*. Seriously, if you don't go to the spa at least once, did you even *go* to the Grand Cyclo? I had the Khmer massage, and... *whoa*. I walked in tense and knotted after a long flight, half-convinced my back was a permanent shape of a question mark. I strolled out… well, feeling like I could float away on a cloud. The therapists are skilled, the atmosphere is serene (think gentle music, calming scents), and the massage tables are ridiculously comfortable. I remember thinking, "If I could live in a spa, I'd live here." I could’ve stayed there all day. The treatment menu is extensive – facials, body wraps, everything! – and they use great products. I think I'm still slightly glowing from my facial. My only regret: not booking more treatments. Book in advance, trust me. And maybe sneak a bottle of the spa's lavender oil. Maybe... I got one... don't judge me.
The Food: What's the dining situation like there? Is it all fancy and formal?
Okay, so the food… Let's be honest, I'm a food *person*. And I was pleasantly surprised at the Grand Cyclo. The restaurant is beautiful, but not stuffy. They serve both Cambodian and international cuisine. Breakfast is included, and the buffet is epic – fresh fruit, pastries, eggs cooked to order, the whole shebang. I'm a big fan of the fresh mango they had. Their Khmer dishes were fantastic - the Amok was divine! – and they were happy to accommodate any dietary needs. They also have a lovely poolside menu for lunch and snacks. One thing I loved: they had happy hour cocktails by the pool (hello, pre-dinner relaxation!). There are definitely fancier dining options in Siem Reap if you crave that, but honestly? I enjoyed the hotel's options the most. Convenient, delicious, and the service was genuinely friendly. It's just so pleasant to not have to go trudging around looking for dinner at the end of the day.
Location, Location, Location! How easy is it to get to the temples and other attractions?
The location is excellent. It's a short tuk-tuk ride to Angkor Wat and the other temples. The hotel staff are super helpful and can arrange transport, including guides (which I highly recommend – totally worth it!). It's also a quick trip to the city center, but far enough away to be quiet and peaceful. I loved being able to escape the crowds and come back to this little oasis. You're close, but not *too* close, if you know what I mean. It's the best of both worlds - easy access to everything, but it has the secluded feeling of being far away.
What kind of people seem to stay at the Grand Cyclo? Is it a particular vibe?
Hmm, good question! It's not a party hotel, that's for sure. It’s more of an elegant, chill vibe. I saw couples, families, some solo travelers (like me!), and a mix of ages. People who appreciate quality and a little bit of luxury, but who aren't stuffy or pretentious. You know, those people who want a lovely experience but aren't going to spend the whole time Instagramming their avocado toast. It was a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. Less "look at me," more "enjoying the moment." It's the kind of place where a few hours is a good long time to spend. I did see a few influencers though... I'm not going to lie, they were all over it.
The Staff: Any standout moments? How's the service?
The staff… oh, my goodness, the staff. They were absolutely wonderful. Seriously, the service was impeccable. They remembered my name, and my coffee order, and were just genuinely warm and friendly. This is the kind of place where you get a real sense of personal service. I had a minor issue (completely my fault, I might add), and they went above and beyond to help me fix it. From the front desk to the housekeeping staff to the restaurant servers, everyone was incredibly attentive and accommodating. I felt like they were genuinely happy to have me there, and that makes a HUGE difference. There's this one lady at the front desk, I think her name was Srey, and she was an absolute angel! She helped me plan my itinerary, gave me some great tips, and always greeted me with a smile. They're the real reason I want to go back.
Infinity Inns
