Two of Cambodia’s most storied hotels—Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh—are stepping into the festive season with a sense of heritage and quiet grandeur. Rather than relying on spectacle alone, both properties are leaning into their own histories, local culture, and the timeless rituals that define December across the globe.
A Fairytale December in Siem Reap
At Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the holidays began on Nov. 28 with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Hundreds gathered in the garden as musicians, carolers and community performers filled the evening with warmth before the towering tree flickered to life with thousands of lights.
Now in its 93rd year, the hotel has been transformed into a whimsical Hansel-and-Gretel-inspired setting. The décor recalls a gingerbread forest—glittering lights, evergreen wreaths and a life-size gingerbread house standing proudly in the lobby—turning the property into a holiday storybook layered atop its colonial-era architecture.
A series of December events adds depth to the seasonal atmosphere. On Dec. 13, the pastry team will welcome young guests for a hands-on gingerbread-making class. Five days later, the hotel unveils a new art collection inspired by Khmer royalty and the hotel’s famed Royal Doorman, accompanied by a gin tasting, artist meet-and-greet and wine-and-canapé reception.
The Children’s Choir of Siem Reap will fill the grand lobby with music on Dec. 21, while a reimagined afternoon tea menu runs daily throughout the month—a nod to Raffles’ long love affair with teatime. For anyone seeking respite from the bustle of the season, the Raffles Spa is offering a Holiday Ritual featuring a luxurious body polish and a Traditional Swedish Massage.
Dining remains a centrepiece of the celebrations. On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Executive Sous Chef Dorn Doeurt will serve a seven-course tasting menu at 1932, weaving Cambodian culinary heritage into modern interpretations. Café d’Angkor will present a four-course international festive menu, and the hotel’s lavish Christmas Day brunch will feature roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, live jazz and optional free-flow wine, cocktails and Champagne.
Siem Reap’s New Year’s Eve highlight returns poolside at Raffles, with cuisine stations, performances by Phare Circus and a fireworks display to usher in 2026. Throughout the season, the iconic Elephant Bar will offer Glühwein and handcrafted holiday cocktails built around rare spirits.
Guests looking to extend their stay can book the hotel’s “Christmas Escape Package,” which includes newly renovated accommodation, daily Champagne breakfast for two and access to the Raffles Resort Programme.
Phnom Penh’s Season of Craft, Cuisine and Celebration
In the capital, Raffles Hotel Le Royal—now in its 96th year—is taking a slightly different approach. Its festive program emphasizes family workshops, gastronomic events and the nostalgic elegance for which the hotel is known.
The celebrations begin on Dec. 7 at Le Phnom 1929 with hands-on workshops, where guests create personalised Christmas cards, gift labels and tree decorations. The same day, a floral design session teaches hotel guests how to craft professional holiday arrangements to brighten their homes. On Dec. 14 and 21, the pastry team hosts gingerbread-man decorating sessions for children and adults, and on Dec. 21, the Writers Bar will serve a Festive Afternoon Tea accompanied by live Christmas carols.
Dining plays an equally important role in Phnom Penh’s festive calendar. A three-course festive set lunch will be available throughout December at Le Phnom 1929 (except Dec. 25), as well as a Christmas Eve buffet with free-flow drinks and an intimate five-course dinner at Restaurant Le Royal.
On Christmas Day, the grand lobby will host its annual brunch featuring fresh seafood, live carving stations, artisanal cheeses, desserts and a children’s choir. The evening continues with an opulent buffet offering oysters, premium seafood, roasted lamb, foie gras and holiday sweets.
Revelers will find multiple ways to mark New Year’s Eve: a fine-dining five-course experience at Restaurant Le Royal, a lavish buffet at Le Phnom 1929 with roasts and entertainment, or a Countdown Party at Empress Room with a live DJ, signature cocktails, free-flow Champagne and gourmet bites under the stars.
The hotel’s “Magical Festive Escape” package runs through Jan. 31, 2026, and includes daily Champagne breakfast, a 60-minute spa treatment for two, daily afternoon tea, a room upgrade (subject to availability) and early check-in/late check-out until 4 p.m. (subject to availability).
At the spa, guests can book a 90-minute Le Royal Signature Khmer Massage and enjoy a complimentary Festive Negroni at Elephant Bar. Those booking a second treatment receive 30% off, plus another cocktail.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal says it looks forward to welcoming guests to “a season of cherished traditions, refined indulgence and joyful memories in the heart of Phnom Penh.”
A Season Rooted in Place
While both properties share the Raffles name and signature service style, their holiday programming reveals something deeper: a celebration of Cambodian culture, craftsmanship and community tied to two hotels that have witnessed nearly a century of the country’s evolution. Whether visitors are seeking teatime rituals beneath a gingerbread house, live Phare Circus performances by the pool, or a refined dinner beneath Phnom Penh’s starlit sky, the Raffles approach this season feels less like spectacle—and more like tradition carried forward.
For information about Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/. For Raffles Hotel Le Royal, call +855 23 981 888 or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh/.
