Luxury Travel With A Conscience: Shinta Mani Angkor

Written by: Cai Huiling Created: 04 December 2017

The Ultimate Guilt-free Luxury Travel Destination

Sustainable luxury has often been considered an oxymoron until recently, where shifts in the hospitality industry responding to changing consumer trends in luxury is beginning to transform green travel from niche to a necessity. Coupled with the growing thirst for unique holidays is the growing awareness of the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and local communities. To meet this two needs, Shinta Mani is one of the companies at the forefront of establishing sustainability as a cornerstone of their business model. 

If you’re looking to indulge in guilt-free luxury and comfort, the newly renovated Shinta Mani Angkor, in Siem Reap, Cambodia is the perfect travel destination for you. Designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley, the renovated hotel is every aesthete’s dream, taking inspiration from the Art Deco period with sharp black and white lines, intricate detailing and unique art works. Bensley’s vision has resulted in the creation of opulent spaces with serene and minimalist yet theatrical, with rectangular columns, recessed doorways, and other dramatic features inspired by the architecture of Angkor. The spaces harmoniously blends with the natural surroundings; sunlight streams through blinds on the corridors and collects in pools in alcoves, whilst tropical plants line the poolside and walkways, and fill interior courtyards.

Along with their continuing to push the envelope of extravagance and elegance is their continued dedication to responsible tourism. Shinta Mani strongly supports responsible tourism through their Shinta Mani Foundation, established with the purpose of enhancing the lives of people in the local community. A stay here helps sustain the on-site hospitality training school for the less fortunate and disadvantaged children in the local community, with a percentage of the daily room rate going to the foundation to support their activities.

Expect impeccable service from the dedicated team of staff where most of them are ex-students of the Shinta Mani Foundation which, funded by the profits of the group’s hotels and donations, educates locals in basic IT, English, healthcare and the hospitality industry offering them financial support throughout their training. Through this scheme the Shinta Mani group has developed a strong brand culture and genuine sense of loyalty, which translates into passionate, honest customer service. This winning business model has even received the stamp of approval by some of the world’s leading travel magazines and sites, being listed in Travel + Leisure’s top 100 hotels in the world as well as ranked the second-best hotel in Asia by Tripadvisor’s 2017 Travelers’ Choice awards.

Beyond their inspiring business model, The in-room amenities are equally top notch, among which include relaxing herbal teas, exclusive Shinta Mani bath products, a fresh fruit bowl that’s replenished daily, a bespoke Monopoly board, as well as a small square of rich chocolate brownie topped with mini meringues that appears on our bedside tables in the evenings. The hotel’s prime position also ensures you’re never too far from Phnom Penh’s major attractions. Situated in the leafy French Quarter of Siem Reap, the hotel is a mere 10-minute drive away from the airport, a 10-minute walk from the town center and a 15-minute drive from Angkor Wat.

Written by: Cai Huiling

Huiling covers a diverse range of topics at Billionaire, fuelled by her passion for environmental sustainability and humanitarian advocacy. In her downtime, she enjoys getting lost in a good book and tending to her urban garden.