Raffles Celebrates Holiday Season with Exclusive Fine Dining
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, December 16, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Two of Cambodia’s most iconic luxury hotels — Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap — are set to celebrate the holiday season with a host of exclusive meals and other festivities.
The storied hotels, both in their ninth decade, combine timeless opulence with modern contemporary flair. In early December, each held a special Christmas tree-lighting ceremony spotlighting Nordmann fir trees imported from Denmark. The hotels are now strewn with glittering lights, wreaths and other festive decor ahead of the holiday season.
Highlights from this year’s Christmas and New Year culinary program include the following:
Christmas Eve
Raffles Hotel Le Royal will offer an exclusive 5-course “Jewels of the Sea” menu on Dec. 24 featuring caviar, scallops, oysters and more at the recently relaunched Restaurant Le Royal. At Le Phnom 1929, diners can enjoy a “Parisian Brasserie Christmas Buffet” including both local and international dishes, in addition to a seafood bar and carvery station.
At Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, diners are invited to join a special “Christmas Eve Dinner” at 1932, with the hotel’s sommelier presenting a trip around the world highlighting unexpected grapes and wines.
Christmas Day
The “Le Royal Christmas Day Brunch” at Restaurant Le Royal on Dec. 25 will include classic favorites such as honey-glazed ham, traditional roast turkey, yule logs and other sumptuous desserts. Meanwhile, the “Christmas Set Dinner” at Le Phnom 1929 will feature a 4-course menu with popular dishes including a seafood tower, duck consommé and roasted turkey.
At Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the “Swinging Gypsy Christmas Brunch” will feature live jazz and be served both indoors and poolside, with optional free-flow house wine, free-flow champagne or free-flow rose champagne.
New Year’s Eve
Ring in 2023 at one of four special events at Raffles Hotel Le Royal. The “New Year’s Eve Buffet” on Dec. 31 at Le Phnom 1929 will feature a decadent culinary spread prepared by Executive Chef Martin Becquart. The “New Year’s Eve Sturia Caviar Dinner” promises an evening of pure indulgence at Restaurant Le Royal. The “Saint-Tropez White Party & Countdown” at The Elephant Bar will include Provençal flavors and champagne, with music from a guest DJ. The “Oyster and Champagne Night,” also at The Elephant Bar, will feature premium oysters from Australia and Henriot Brut Souverain Champagne.
At Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the “Gatsby End of the Year” party at the Poolside Terrace and Raffles Marquee will feature a 1920s theme, with live performances, guest DJs and the most-anticipated fireworks display of the year. Free-flow wine and champagne will be served.
New Year’s Day
Kick off the new year with a special “New Year’s Day Extended Breakfast” at Le Phnom 1929 at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, featuring a host of favorites such as seafood on ice, mimosas, bloody marys, imported cheeses and more. The “New Year’s Day Set Dinner” at Le Phnom 1929 will offer a decadent feast with French oysters, premium beef and more.
At Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the “New Year’s Day Brunch” at Cafe d’Angkor will feature a lavish spread of festive delicacies, including a special bloody mary bar.
More Festive Events at Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Raffles Hotel Le Royal has launched a special “Festive High Tea & Carols” at the Conservatory featuring Christmas-themed pastries and music from a live choir. Presented on Dec. 4, 11, 18 and 25.
Young gourmands are invited to join a fun-filled gingerbread-making class at Le Phnom 1929 on Dec. 3, 10 and 17.
The Raffles Spa is offering a “Festive Spa” package throughout December that includes a cinnamon salt foot scrub (10 min.), chocolate body scrub (30 min.), aromatherapy full body massage (90 min.), festive Afternoon Tea at The Writer’s Bar, and “Festive Glühwein” with a Raffles chocolate present.
Festive gourmet hampers at Raffles Hotel Le Royal include mouth-watering chocolates, pampering spa essentials and more, available in the Raffles Arcade off the lobby in Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s heritage building.
A special holiday stay package starts at $360++ for double/night.
More Festive Events at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
Throughout December, a special “Afternoon Tea & Champagne” will be served in the Conservatory, featuring freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and more.
At The Elephant Bar in December, guests can savor “Kampuchea Mulled Wine & Mignardise,” featuring the warm indulgence of traditional French mulled wine with special Angkor spices, paired with bite-sized Christmas-themed desserts.
At the Raffles Spa, “The Raffles Festive Spa Package” helps guests rejuvenate with a special 30-minute honey and tamarind scrub followed by a 60-minute warm coconut oil massage.
Other special festivities include a gingerbread house-making class (Dec. 11); an outdoor cinema screening of the holiday classic Home Alone (Dec. 18); “Bubbles from the Land and Sea” featuring champagne, handcrafted cocktails, caviars and pastries with live music (Dec. 19 and 31); and a “Bistro Christmas Eve” 4-course dinner at Cafe d’Angkor (Dec. 19 and 31).
A special holiday stay package starts at $360++ per night.
For reservations or inquiries about Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please contact +855 23 981 888
For Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, please contact +855 63 963 888
About Raffles
Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.