Shangri-La Phnom Penh: Discover a Capital Worth Staying For

Shangri-La Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Deserves More Than a Day

The arrival says something about Phnom Penh’s new confidence.

A polished Rolls-Royce at the entrance of Shangri-La Phnom Penh is an appropriate introduction to a hotel that has brought a new level of international luxury to Cambodia’s capital. But it is the view from above that makes the lasting impression.

Rising 54 floors above the rapidly developing Koh Pich, or Diamond Island, district, Shangri-La Phnom Penh commands spectacular views across the city and the rivers that define it. Opened in December 2024, the hotel has 303 rooms and suites, combining contemporary comfort with French Art Deco influences and Khmer-inspired details.

A New Era of Confidence in Phnom Penh

Shangri-La Phnom Penh

From Level 54, the Mekong, Tonlé Sap and Tonlé Bassac rivers form a shimmering network through the urban landscape, while old neighbourhoods, new towers and a rapidly expanding skyline reveal a city balancing its heritage with an ambitious future.

The rooftop infinity pool shares this spectacular setting, while Altitude, the Level 54 rooftop bar, provides one of Cambodia’s highest vantage points. The hotel also offers a spa, restaurants, lounges and extensive meeting facilities.

Its spacious rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping city views, while warm materials, natural light and Cambodian touches create a distinctly local sense of place.

For travellers, Shangri-La provides an ideal base for discovering a capital that deserves considerably more than a brief stopover.

For years, Phnom Penh was treated by many visitors as little more than a gateway to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. That is increasingly difficult to justify.

A City of Rivers, History and Culture

Phnom Penh combines French colonial architecture, Khmer heritage, traditional markets, modern shopping centres, contemporary restaurants and an increasingly impressive skyline.

The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda provide an introduction to Cambodia’s royal heritage, while the National Museum of Cambodia houses more than 14,000 objects spanning centuries of Khmer art and culture. Wat Phnom offers a spiritual connection to the city’s origins, while Sisowath Quay comes alive in the evening as families, visitors, cafés and river boats share the waterfront.

The Central Market, or Phsar Thmey, is another Phnom Penh landmark. Its distinctive 1937 Art Deco building surrounds a huge central dome and contains stalls selling jewellery, clothing, food, souvenirs and local products. The Russian Market provides another lively shopping experience. For visitors, exploring these markets is an easy way to experience the everyday rhythm and flavours of Phnom Penh.

The Central Market

Modern Phnom Penh is equally visible in developments such as Koh Pich and AEON Mall, reflecting the city’s rapidly changing lifestyle.

Yet the old Phnom Penh is never far away. Around the next corner, glass towers can give way to a food stall, temple or colonial façade.

Understanding Cambodia’s Past

Visitors should also make time for the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former S-21 prison, and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, commonly known as the Killing Fields. These confronting sites document the atrocities committed under the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979 and provide important context for understanding modern Cambodia and its remarkable resilience.

Phnom Penh After Dark

Phnom Penh after dark

As temperatures fall, Phnom Penh becomes a city of restaurants, cafés, bars and rooftop venues. Traditional Cambodian dishes such as fish amok sit alongside French, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and international cuisine.

The riverside remains popular, while areas such as Bassac Lane and BKK1 have developed into lively dining and entertainment districts.

At Shangri-La, Altitude offers an especially memorable evening experience, combining panoramic views with sunset dining high above the city.

A Capital Worth Staying to Discover

Techo International Airport

The most fascinating aspect of Phnom Penh is its mixture. Khmer tradition exists alongside glass towers; monks and motorbikes share the streets with luxury vehicles; traditional markets operate beneath a modern skyline.

The opening of Techo International Airport in 2025, replacing the former Phnom Penh International Airport, is another sign of Cambodia’s growing ambitions and makes the capital increasingly accessible to international visitors.

Phnom Penh remains busy and sometimes chaotic, but that is part of its character. It is a city in motion, modernising rapidly while retaining its history, culture and distinctive Cambodian identity.

Shangri-La Phnom Penh reflects that transformation. Guests are warmly welcomed by veteran General Manager Ody Odayappan and his professional and knowledgeable team.

Toum Tiou 2

The hotel is also an ideal base before or after experiencing the New Discovery Tour on the Mekong aboard the 14-cabin Toum Tiou 2, with discounts available for 2026/27 cruises.

For travellers seeking a luxurious base from which to explore Cambodia’s capital and the Mekong, Shangri-La Phnom Penh offers a compelling reason to stay longer.

Phnom Penh is no longer simply somewhere to pass through.

It is somewhere to stay.

Shangri-La Phnom Penh

www.shangri-la.com/phnompenh/shangrila/

CF Mekong Cruises

www.cfmekong.com

*Written by John Savage and Grahame Cox

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