Shinta Mani Angkor
It’s probably worth confessing that we already have a soft spot for Shinta Mani Angkor for a number of reasons. It was one of the first luxury hotels we stayed in when we moved to Siem Reap in 2015, we are seasoned fans of the work of hotel architect and creative visionary Bill Bensley and we have spent many an evening with friends and family sitting in the swing seats outside their signature restaurant Kroya, enjoying dinner. Having said that, our visits over the last couple of years have dwindled as Siem Reap’s vegan dining scene expanded, offering so many choices, that even committed vegan food lovers like ourselves, can’t go everywhere, all of the time. So when we checked in for a staycation with one of our old favourites, we were unsure if we’d still get those same good feelings borne from the excellent service, the satisfying design and the abundance of really good vegan food.
Fast forward to check-in, and it was just like we had never left. Smooth and efficient service, the warmest of welcomes and a chilled coconut on arrival (no plastic straw of course) before we settled into our room, complete with balcony overlooking the courtyard lap pool. We were most definitely home, at a hotel that holds many fond memories. The room was modern, chic and stylish which is exactly how we rembered the inspired design, courtesy of Mr Bensley and his talented team. We loved the shaded balcony and the huge, walk in rain shower but it was the contents of the mini bar that really made us smile. Yes, we had ice cold beers, water in glass bottles and juices, however, the team at Shinta Mani Angkor had excelled themselves by removing the dairy milk and replacing it with almond milk. It’s small touches like this that go a long way to reassure us that they really do understand their vegan guests. Also, it meant we could make our own decaf almond milk lattes with the in room coffee machine. Perfect.
The Vegan Food
We have stayed at Shinta Mani Angkor multiple times since 2014 and have always been impressed with the vegan food options. With Executive Chef Chanrith at the helm, he has always embraced our requests and over the years has made changes to the menus. Breakfast now has an a la carte vegan breakfast request, and also a ‘Vegan Corner’ section on the breakfast buffet to make things even easier for their vegan guests. From vegan yoghurt and accidentally vegan Khmer sweet treats, to vegan fried rice, vegan pancakes and tofu scramble they really have got you covered at Shinta Mani Angkor. They also offer an incredible ‘plant-forward’ tasting menu at Kroya by Chef Chanrith, you can read about this exciting new dining concept in our vegan friendly luxury review of Bensley Collection Pool Villas.
The Vegan Essentials
We already mentioned the almond milk in our room which was a ‘vegan win’ for sure. We can also confirm that there were no single use plastic water bottles in our room and the bathroom amenities were in reusable, ceramic disapensers. It’s possible to request feather free bedding too which always makes us happy. The lap pool was the ideal place to relax, and any visit to Shinta Mani Angkor should include a visit to Khmer Tonics Spa where you can choose from a wide array of treatments. Our hot stone massages in one of the couples spa suites were outstanding, the therapists were thorough and attentive throughout our session, providing one of the best spa experiences we’ve enjoyed for a very long time.
The Vegan Food Quest Verdict
Our stay at Shinta Mani Angkor reminded us just how much we like this Siem Reap luxury hotel. The design ticks all of the boxes in both the public areas and the rooms; stylish, mono choromatic and full of character. The service (with a smile) is delivered by a staff team who clearly believe in the vision of Shinta Mani and are proud to be part of the team. The (vegan) food was creative and very tasty indeed; a selection of veganised Khmer classics with a modern twist that will ensure we return in the very near future. Highly recommended for a staycation, and make sure it’s high on your list of Siem Reap hotels to consider when the borders open post COVID.
We were guests of Shinta Mani Angkor but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views.
Shinta Mani Angkor
Junction of Oum Khun & 14th Street
Siem Reap
Cambodia
Telephone: +855-63-964-123
Email: book@shintamani.com
Cost From: £130 / $170 (September 2026)