Nov 263 min read

Destination & Tourism : Angkor Village, a benchmark family business in Siem Reap

Creativity, prudence and longevity are the key words that characterise the sumptuous Angkor Village. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Angkor Village, one of Cambodia's oldest tourism companies and the first French investment in the Siem Reap tourism sector, bears witness to an unwavering family passion for promoting the Kingdom's culture and traditions.

Angkor Village, 30 years of enduring family creativity in Siem Reap

Olivier Piot and his wife, Tep Vattho, were architecture students practising their profession in France when they decided to move to the Kingdom in 1992 to reconnect with her family. It was for this reason that they decided to remain and build what was then a simple bed and breakfast in 1993.

In operation since 1994, this family-run tourism business expanded rapidly, notably in 1997 with the construction of the Apsara Theatre, the oldest theatre in Siem Reap. Contributing to the revival of traditional Khmer dances and the preservation of Cambodia's rich cultural heritage, the Apsara Theatre's traditional semi-colonial style imbues it with an energy that transports you into Khmer magic, with 30 artists performing ancient Reamker legends and Cambodian folk dances over a meal.

Then, over the course of the 2000s, Angkor Village expanded with its Aaraama restaurant, its new rooms, the Angkor Village Resort in 2004 and Kulen Elephant Forest in 2019.

Since 2020, these development projects have been managed by the son of the founding couple, David Piot. He returned to the Kingdom in 2017 after his studies for what was originally a sabbatical year. David decided to invest in the family business and is now running the establishment. The responsibilities have not always been easy to take on, particularly during the health crisis, but that has never discouraged the young Managing Director and his teams.

Indeed, he shares a striking memory from the COVID-19 period: ‘We hadn't been in the hotel business for nearly two years, and to give ourselves a boost, we created a catering area for local customers: a Christmas dinner with the elephants. And being able to work and see the staff in their uniforms again really moved me.

Enthusiastic about the revival of tourism in Siem Reap in the upper-mid-range category, David Piot adds:

“We have never been so proud of our performance and longevity. We are very proud of the stability of Angkor Village. Of course, we're proud of it and we intend to keep it going for a long, long time”.

The collection of Made in Angkor Village experiences

The authentic warmth and friendliness that characterise the hotel are the values on which Angkor Village was founded. Over the years, the hotel has evolved into an authentic journey of experiences, offering guests a unique escapade around Khmer history and culture. Set amid lush tropical gardens, the Angkor Village hotel is an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Siem Reap town centre. An escape that begins as soon as you are greeted by our multilingual Khmer staff.

Welcome lemon iced tea at Angkor Village

“During my stay, I was deeply touched by the presence of the staff, in particular that of Madame Voy Sitha, who accompanied me throughout my stay and with whom I shared and learned a lot,” says Carla, a young voulunteer who was lucky enough to experience a stay at Angkor Village.

An escapade in the midst of Khmer culture where, as soon as you walk through the door of your room, all the unique antique objects chosen by the Angkor Village staff sublimate the living space. A place of intimacy where you can enjoy a view overlooking the swimming pool or the Aaraama restaurant. A place where you can travel through Khmer specialities, but above all, through six inspired menus. From the “Angkorian Empire” to “The wandering kingdom”, “French Indochina”, “A prosperous independence”, “The path to peace” and “Modern-day Cambodia”, the Aaraama invites on a gastronomic journey through the Kingdom's history, in an atmosphere of sharing and conviviality.

In addition to a culinary voyage of Khmer flavours, Angkor Village also offers moments of well-being with its gym and Spa. A space that offers the chance to discover different traditional massage techniques. A moment that creates a perfect balance between mind, body and soul, thanks to the expertise of traditional Cambodian medicine and the professionals on site.

During your stay, it's also possible to meet the ten elephants of Kulen Elephant Forest, where they live in complete freedom and are rediscovering a balanced life with a natural diet and appropriate health care.

A moment of silence with the elephants of Kulen Elephant Forest

For its 30th anniversary, Angkor Village is a testament to a creative family working culture which, through perseverance and prudence, promotes the beauty of the Cambodian tourism industry while opening up to many projects for the future.