Which rooms at Peninsula and Anantara Golden Triangle?
Jul 27th, 2007, 01:48 PM
#21
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The feeling that I've gotten about the HDLP from people here, other reviews, and communication with the hotel itself is that it is very slick. It's done up in the sort of black and white, bathroom open to room, minimalist Bensley style that is very popular in Asia now. It strikes me more and more as a very cool, "in" place to stay. There are some things that seem very much form over function to me...like the bathtub in the middle of the room in suites and the pool design, which is very nice to look at but seems to be not good for actual swimming but better for a plunge to get wet. The roof over part of the pool appeals to me, both in terms of sun and rain, but the number of placees to sit under there are few. The restaurant Meric gets excellent reviews. I get the feeling that I might worry about what I'm wearing at the HDLP. It's close to the market area with lots of restaurants, an easy walk. Communication with the staff by e-mail got quick, businesslike replies with all the information I asked for. They themselves told me that most guests were young couples, with a few families and older couples mixed in.
The Victoria strikes me as a more relaxed holiday kind of place. The deluxe rooms in both places are about the same size. The Victoria's suites look wonderful, but I'm not willing to pay their price (though when we get there I'm hoping the price is right for an upgrade...we'll see). The pool is big with lots of chairs, as well as lots of dining seats poolside, which is attractive to us. The distane to the market is walkable and tuk tuks are easy to get for a couple of dollars if it's hot or you don't want to walk. The staff here was also quick to reply and thorough with their answers to my questions. They told me that they were rather popular with families, especially during holidays/peak season.
I don't think either choice is a bad one. We had intended to stay at the HDLP but in the end we changed to the Victoria based pretty much on gut feeling that we'd enjoy a bigger pool and a less "cool" atmosphere.
The final thing that got us...when searching google for various hotels in Siem Reap, we found that when we put in the names of various better hotels in the search, a paid result for the HDLP came up first every tiime with the name of the hotel you searched for but a link to the HDLP..today when I checked, it didn't come up at all so they appear to have stopped this...but it really rubbed me the wrong way and clinched our decision.
The Victoria strikes me as a more relaxed holiday kind of place. The deluxe rooms in both places are about the same size. The Victoria's suites look wonderful, but I'm not willing to pay their price (though when we get there I'm hoping the price is right for an upgrade...we'll see). The pool is big with lots of chairs, as well as lots of dining seats poolside, which is attractive to us. The distane to the market is walkable and tuk tuks are easy to get for a couple of dollars if it's hot or you don't want to walk. The staff here was also quick to reply and thorough with their answers to my questions. They told me that they were rather popular with families, especially during holidays/peak season.
I don't think either choice is a bad one. We had intended to stay at the HDLP but in the end we changed to the Victoria based pretty much on gut feeling that we'd enjoy a bigger pool and a less "cool" atmosphere.
The final thing that got us...when searching google for various hotels in Siem Reap, we found that when we put in the names of various better hotels in the search, a paid result for the HDLP came up first every tiime with the name of the hotel you searched for but a link to the HDLP..today when I checked, it didn't come up at all so they appear to have stopped this...but it really rubbed me the wrong way and clinched our decision.
Jul 27th, 2007, 02:53 PM
#22
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Kim, why on earth would you be turned off by a hotel advertising as part of search results on Google? This is after all how Google survives and prospers. It is a very poor reason for rejecting a hotel unless you are some sort of anti-capitalist. I have nothing against the Victoria by the way - it was originally our first choice until we heard about the HDLP.
Jul 27th, 2007, 02:58 PM
#23
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The reason I was turned off is because it looked like this.
Search for Victoria Angkor, for example.
First result title (sponsored, so light blue): "Victoria Angkor?"
Description Text: "Luxury hotel in Siem Reap"
url: to HDLP
My problem isn't that it's an ad or a sponsored link, but that it was intentionally deceptive, with the title being the hotel you searched for, not the HDLP.
If you weren't paying close attention, you'd not notice that the link was not to what you wanted.
Search for Victoria Angkor, for example.
First result title (sponsored, so light blue): "Victoria Angkor?"
Description Text: "Luxury hotel in Siem Reap"
url: to HDLP
My problem isn't that it's an ad or a sponsored link, but that it was intentionally deceptive, with the title being the hotel you searched for, not the HDLP.
If you weren't paying close attention, you'd not notice that the link was not to what you wanted.
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:05 PM
#24
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The ad just came up now when I searched for "La Residence Angkor".
Text is now changed to be more honest. It reads....
La Residence d'Angkor?
www.hoteldelapaixangkor.com
Try 5-star "delaPaix" from USD168 TripAdvisor.com loves us. U will 2.
It still bugs me.
Text is now changed to be more honest. It reads....
La Residence d'Angkor?
www.hoteldelapaixangkor.com
Try 5-star "delaPaix" from USD168 TripAdvisor.com loves us. U will 2.
It still bugs me.
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:14 PM
#25
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Yes, it is somewhat deceptive, I suppose. Welcome to the WWW. I would imagine that most people don't bother to click on those sponsored links anyway unless something really captures their attention. That is after all what advertising is all about. The sponsored links do list the URL that you would be transferred to. I assume that most people would pay attention to this so it really shouldn't be an issue. Just my opinion, but I still think this is a poor reason to reject the HDLP.
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:16 PM
#26
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kim, be glad to know that ponheary is also bugged by the hdlp driveway and the ownership and just about everything about the place from the way it was built to all the local wood they used to make it. you made me smile 
All in all though it is a really nice hotel, you really can't go wrong if you stay there.
Aloha!
All in all though it is a really nice hotel, you really can't go wrong if you stay there.
Aloha!
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:32 PM
#27
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Well, this is another subject HT, but an interesting one. We had originally made our reservation for the Victoria with Ponheary. After hearing about the HDLP, we asked if she could get us in there but no, the TA that she worked with didn't have a relationship with the HDLP. While on tour with her we got an earful about the HDLP - not locally owned etc. etc. Quite honestly I have heard claims that they really are locally owned. Ponheary claimed they were Thai-owned. The Victoria is not locally owned either so I am not sure what the issue really was. I understand that now, Ponheary can arrange reservations at the HDLP.
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:44 PM
#28
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The HDLP is Thai owned...the same group that owns Bed Supperclub, Bed Management. They also own Shinta Mani. http://www.bedmgmt.com/projects/
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:54 PM
#30
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I think that their programs geared to directly charity to locals are very good...however, I also think that their main motivation behind having such programs is that they attract customers, not that they really care so much about the local poverty situation.
It's a very good marketing tool. Their target group is young with significant income, and in this group, those that would choose to go to Asia and to Siem Reap typically would like to feel good about giving something, and the hotel makes it all clean and easy.
It's a very good marketing tool. Their target group is young with significant income, and in this group, those that would choose to go to Asia and to Siem Reap typically would like to feel good about giving something, and the hotel makes it all clean and easy.
Jul 27th, 2007, 04:11 PM
#31
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Better than not doing anything, regardless of the motivation. Thanks for the compliment by the way - being almost 50, I appreciate being called young. I'm not sure that the HDLP would appeal to those that are much younger than we are unless they are on their honeymoon.
Jul 27th, 2007, 04:19 PM
#32
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I'm not saying it's bad...it's good to get money where it needs to go no matter how. I'm just saying that the motivation isn't entirely selfless, which is true I think once you move beyond the grass roots efforts. It's probably the only way to get corporate interest in charity...publicity, tax breaks...but the money still gets to where it's needed, at least in part.
The demographic is what I see it being marketed to. 50 is young. You are young until you can no longer make it halfway around the world. What better marketing tool than to appeal to both the sense of style and the conscience?
The demographic is what I see it being marketed to. 50 is young. You are young until you can no longer make it halfway around the world. What better marketing tool than to appeal to both the sense of style and the conscience?
Jul 27th, 2007, 05:21 PM
#33
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I'm a fundraiser for social justice causes and at one time raised money for developing world countries -- including Cambodia. One thing I learned is that virtually all philanthropy is motivated by some sort of self interest -- even if it's as simple as it makes you feel good or because you want to get into heaven. And that is especially true of corporate philanthropy most of which comes out of their marketing budget these days. But I also believe that better they give the money (no matter what the reason) than not.
Jul 28th, 2007, 04:11 PM
#34
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jgg,
Yes, we preferred the Burma side of the Anantara (the side on the left as you face the river).
Victoria did not have an overly resorty feel. (That would be the Sofitel.) Because it is a replica of an Indochine colonial inn, the Victoria feels more like a tropical gathering spot for archeologists. I think one guidebook said that you almost expect all your fellow guests to be speaking French and wearing pithe helmets. In fact, we were the only Americans there last Christmas, except one family we met who lives in Florence. Because it's a Vietnamese chain, most people were on their way to or from Vietnam.
To those in the HDLP discussion,
We have friends(both 50ish adults traveling w/teens)who loved both the HDLP and the Shinta Mani. And the community service projects they set up through their hotels were just as comprehensive and rewarding as Ponheary's.
HDLP did not seem too chic or trendy for normal people or families. My issue had to do with dust from the construction across the street (they're building a mall).
bob,
I do think the whole SR shopping scene has changed within the last year.
jgg,
All this controversy will probably keep you from seeing the temples of Angkor - You'll be spending all your time checking out the hotels!
Yes, we preferred the Burma side of the Anantara (the side on the left as you face the river).
Victoria did not have an overly resorty feel. (That would be the Sofitel.) Because it is a replica of an Indochine colonial inn, the Victoria feels more like a tropical gathering spot for archeologists. I think one guidebook said that you almost expect all your fellow guests to be speaking French and wearing pithe helmets. In fact, we were the only Americans there last Christmas, except one family we met who lives in Florence. Because it's a Vietnamese chain, most people were on their way to or from Vietnam.
To those in the HDLP discussion,
We have friends(both 50ish adults traveling w/teens)who loved both the HDLP and the Shinta Mani. And the community service projects they set up through their hotels were just as comprehensive and rewarding as Ponheary's.
HDLP did not seem too chic or trendy for normal people or families. My issue had to do with dust from the construction across the street (they're building a mall).
bob,
I do think the whole SR shopping scene has changed within the last year.
jgg,
All this controversy will probably keep you from seeing the temples of Angkor - You'll be spending all your time checking out the hotels!
