The path of history at Raffles hotels in Cambodia 

The golden age of travel in South-East Asia is highlighted in Raffles Cambodia’s new Path of History tour and history book.

Guests can step back in time at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap.

This iconic luxury heritage hotel is on the doorstep of the temples of Angkor Wat — the most famous Khmer archaeological site in Cambodia.

And its immersive Path of History tour has rare photographs, video, architectural drawings, and other vintage artefacts from the golden age of travel in South-East Asia.

A permanent exhibition at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is complemented by a new history book by authors Andreas and Carola Augustin.

Called A Tale Of Two Hotels — Raffles In Cambodia, it tells the story of the hotel, alongside that of Raffles Hotel Le Royal, its sister property in Phnom Penh.

It also chronicles globe-trotting explorers and the discoveries made between 1900 and 1940.

The Grand Path of History tour and book both focus on these early boom years of international travel.

Steamships were bound from Europe for the East. Air travel was literally taking off.

And it discloses the story of true pioneers like the Sarkies brothers in Singapore, whose Raffles brand has epitomised luxury travel for nearly 140 years.

Four Armenian brothers Martin, Tigran, Aviet and Arshak Sarkies opened Raffles Hotel in Singapore on December 1, 1887. It was originally just a 10-room bungalow, but they quite quickly transformed it into a landmark which embodied colonial-era elegance. They were pioneers of high-end hospitality in South-East Asia.

TOUR

The Grand Path of History tour, led by a Raffles historian, is available only to hotel guests.

“We are delighted and honoured to showcase a seminal early period of international travel, when visitors from around the world first discovered the wonders of Cambodia,” says Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor general manager Joseph Colina.

“Our new Grand Path of History tour chronicles this story alongside that of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, whose illustrious 96-year past intertwines with those pioneering arrivals.”

The exhibit was curated by Andreas and Carola Augustin.

BOOK

The 160-page book A Tale Of Two Hotels recounts Cambodia’s efforts to promote its rich cultural heritage abroad. And it does it with the help of colourful photographs. There was the Royal Ballet of Cambodia’s debut in Paris. There was actor Charlie Chaplin’s visits to Angkor Wat and Le Royal.

The book is available as both a softback and hardback, and is only available at the hotels.

HOTELS

+ Raffles Hotel Le Royal opened in 1929, and today has 175 rooms and suites which were refurbished as part of a one-year restoration in 2019. The hotel’s contemporary style is inspired by French colonial, Khmer and Art Deco influences. raffles.com/siem-reap

+ Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers exploring the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat. It retains its 1930s French Art Deco style with refined rooms, suites and villas blending old-world mood with Cambodian influences and contemporary detail. raffles.com/phnom-penh